The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1882-02-18
A FEARFUL NIGHT.
Why Beautiful Young Lady had Per-
fectly White Hair when Scarcely
Out of Her Teens.

From The Ner York World.
l was invited to lunch party in one
of the inland cities of Pennsylvania not
long ago, and was much impressed by
dies present. She vas not beautiful but
united the striking characteristics of a
brilliant fresh complexion and a profu-
sion of hair, white as snow, which was
wound on the top of her head after the
fashion Of Madrazo's "Marquise, be-
longing to Mrs. A. 7. Stewart. She was
merry, good talker, and l must con-
fess, I contrived to occupy the larger
part of her attention with that tendency
toward monopolizing the best which the
moment affords that l am told is often
observed by my famiiars.
After bidding adieu to the ladies,
turned to the obligins friend who had
been my sponsor at these incidental gave
ties of - and casually remarked, after
talking somewhat of my new acquaint-
ance:
by Jove, what hair! 1t accents her
whole appearance. Wasn't she lucky to
achieve it youns?'
My friend removed his cigar.
THAT depends on how you look at it.
| am inclined to think, taking things by
and large, that she was. doubt, how
ever, if she wouldn't say to-day that the
price was rather large. And it was a
pretty big price. Do you like stories =?
I'm minded to tell you one, if you like
about that white hair 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
courtships of young folks. From the
time Harry Wells began to sidle up to
| Mamie Clausen at church socials until
their marriage in the Presbyterian church
| the entire community gave minute con-
sideration to their affairs. Mamie father
JUN SlaASCli. was ttil' 10 INV a ploi
nent commission, merchant generally con-
sidered wealthy. and has always lived at
lie 81 like "a man Of means. Mamie was
pretty. dashing, local belle, and great
favorite. Harry's family lived few miles
from town, and they, too, are people
of reputation in the county. Old Jack
Walls rapracoptod for t,,ooe a.,
Legislature and has accumulated in one
way and another handsome property.
The marriage was in every way suit
able one. Harry was educated at Prince
ton, and although he had at one time the
reputation of being wild, he sobered
down, and was at any rate such frank,
manly young fellow that he was gener-
ally forgiven any indiscretion.
AS | say, the marriage was the occa-
sion of general rejoicing. Mamie's father
gave her an unusually good send-off, and
the details were sent far and wide through
the State. Harry had studied law, al
though he didn't have much natural in
cIination 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 a pretty modern cottage on de
tached portion of his farm. Harry had
his office, an ornamental 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. TWAS good thing
for Harry, although it gave naturally
lazy man some additional work. The
worst thing was that it obliged him to
90 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 the four-mile stretch of road was
| 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 peO-
pie ready to go out and keep her COM
pany. Harry always insisted that she
mustn't stay alone. For law abiding
State We have a pretty rough element in
| it, and although we haven't had much
to complain of here, there is general
sense of uneasincss.
| One August afternoon Harry had an
unexpected summons to go to Scranton
about suit connected with the minor
heirs. lie had recently sold some Of thei.
property and had been making various
collections. which left in his hands about
81, 800. When he found he had to go of
at few moments notice, he wrapped up
bundle of papers and this money and
took then into the house. Mamie was
making preparations fGr a picnic they
were to go to the next day and bes3e,,
him to wait until the day after it.
but, my dear child. | haven't time
even to go to town and put these in the
| haul, ca 1np'll hava IN t.ly oara Of thor,