News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1882-03-02
A FEARFUL NIGHT.
WHY A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LADY HAD PER-
FECTLY WHITE HAIR WHEN SCARCELY
OUT OF HER TEENS.

was invited to lunch party in one
of the inland cities not long ago, anG
: was much impressed by the appearance
of one of the younger ladies present
She was not beautiful, but united the
striking characteristics of brilliant
fresh complexion and a profusion o
hair, white as snow, which was wound
on the top of her head after the fashion
of Madrazo's "Marquise, belonging
to Mrs. 4. T. Stewart. She was yer,
merry, good talker, and, I must con
fess, contrived to occupy the create
part of her attention with that tend
ency toward monopolizing the bes
which the moment affords that 1 an
told is often observed by my familiars
After bidipg adieu to the ladies,
turned to the obliging friend who hac
been my sponsor at most of these acct
dental gayeties of -, and casually
remarked, after talking somewhat o
my new acquaintance
"By Jove, what hair 1t accents he
whole appearance. Wasn't she lucky tt
achieve it youngP'
My friend removed his cigar.
"That depends on how you look al
it. 1 am inclined to think, taking
things small ard large, that she was
doubt, however, if she wouldn't say
to-day that the price was rather large
And it was pretty big price. Do yor
like stories? I'm minded to tell yor
one, if you like, about that white hail
you admire so much"
We went over to the hotel and some.
thing like this my friend told me:
You have no idea, you city people, the
interest we country people take in the
courtshjps of young folks. From the
time Henry Wells began to side up to
Mamie Clausen at church socials until
they were married in the First Presby-
terrain Church the entire community
gave minute consideration to their
affairs. Mamie's father, John Clausen,
was and is now a prominent commission
merchant, generally considered wealthy,
and has always lived at least like a man
of means. Mamie was pretty, dashing,
a local belle and a great fayorite.
Rarry's family lived a few miles from
town, and they, too, are people of repu-
tation in the county. Old Jack Wells
represented us few times in the Legis-
lature, aud has accumulated in one way
and another handsome property.
The marriage was in every way a
suitable one. Harry was educated at
Princeton, and although he had at one
time the reputation OF being wild, he
had sobered down, and was at any rate
such frank, manly fellow that he was
generally forgiven any indiscretion.
As 1 say, the marriage was the
occasion of general rejoicing hfannie's
father gave her an unusually good send
off, and the details were sent far and
wide through the State. Harry had
studied law, although he didn't have
much natural inclination for it, the old
man thinking his political experience
might serve Harry in that way, and had
settled down into country notary,
drawing up deeds and doing hack-work
of that sort. They lived about four
miles out Of town. and two miles from
old Jacks. He had built them o petty
modern cottage on a detached portion
Of his farm, Harry had his office, an
ornamental little structure, few rods
from the house, and there they lived as
happy as two birds.
Gradually Harry picked up business,
and finally through his father he became
trustee for the minor heirs. They were
an odd lot of children, with half-crazy
mother and no end of coal lands and
mining investments. 1t was a good
thing for Harry, although it gave a
naturally lazy man some additional work.
The worst thing was that it obliged him
to go to Scranton now and then and
leave Mamie. You may imagine that
there was a good deal of visiting at the
house of two such popular young people,
and that four-mile stretch of road vas
generally kept pretty warm. When
Harry had to go away Mamie would get
in her phaeton and drive to town, and
there was always some of the young
people ready to go out and keep her
company. Harry always insisted that
she mustn't stay alone. For law
abiding State we have pretty rough
element in it, and although we haven't
had much to complain of here, there is
a general sense of uneasiness.
One August afternoon Harry had an
unexpected summons to go to Scranton
about suit connected with the minor
heirs. He had recently sold some of
their property and had been making
various collections, which left in his
hands about 81, 500. When he found he |
had to go off at few moments notice |
he wrapped up bundle of papers and
his money and took hem into the
house. Mamie was making prepare
tions for picnic they were to go to the
next day and begged him to wait until
the day after.
"But, my dear child, I haven't time |
even to go to town and put these in the
bank, so you'll have to take care of
them. I'll try and get back in two days
at the furthest, meanwhile nobody will |
know that the money is here"
Then he explained to her the value of
the papers and banded her canvas bag,
in which was the "a, 500 belonging to
the minor heirs.
Where will 1 keep it, Harry
Between the mattresses ?"
''Just like womanl No. But I |
declare don't know whers to tell you.
The most insecure place apparently is
often the most secure. Any place.
lear, but between the mattresses. l
eave that to you But you must guard
i, if necessary, with your life, for re-
the money is not ours, and at
III hazards 1 am responsible. 1 don't
'eally suppose there is the least danger,
or no one knows I have it. But one
'ught to take proper precautions, and
beg of you not to admit any tramps
While am gone. Tell Sarah not even
o allow them to stop long enough to eat
biscuit.
CAN right, dear; we won't let the
ramps have drink even, and I'll take
are of the money, you may be sure"
Harry babe his wife good.by and
Jamie gave up the picnic. At the end