Frostburg mining journal., 1882-01-28


gallantry. Without any stimulus to
exertion, he suffered his time to pass
in floating lazily down the tide OF time,
content to let each day find its own oc-
cupation. Then he met me, and his
whole view of life changed. For my
sake he will renew his studies, open his
office for business and begin new life.
Don't shake your head so mournfully;
trust to woman's heart and instinct.
There is mine Of good in this spelled
child's heart; let noe be the agent by
which it is worked to produce good
fruit. He stands now in perilous po-
sition; my refusal will throw him back
on his old life, with heart ready to
dare much evil, reckless and hard, to
be wrecked in dissipation, or sour in
misanthropy; my love will win him to
nobler aims and higher aspirations"
"lt is a dangerous experiment, Hat-
tie."
"Only one more argument and l leave
the decision in your hands: love himl
For his sake I could bear sorrow,
poverty, anything but Inconsistency.
With him life will be glad through any
suffering; without him, the future
looks mournful and dreary. If you SO
decide I will dismiss him, but my
heart will break in doing it, for 1 love
him p
And so, by her last argument, Hattie
Lawler won her uncle's consent to her
marriage.
The world shrugged its shoulders
when the news came out, The men
congratulated Edward upon his success,
and smiled knowingly to one another
as they spoke; the women shook their
heads and wondered how Hattie could
be so blind as not to see through "that
dandv's" schemes.
They had been married one year, and
Hattie was beginning to wonder ii Ed
ward had been seeking her fortune
after all. He was devoted as ever,
kind, loving and fascinating; but not
one client had placed brief in his
hands, and she knew that their expen-
sive house, mode of living and luxuries
were drawn from her purse. She was
speculating upon this when a quick,
manly step, cheerful voice made every
doubt vanish, and she looked up to
greet her husband,
81 have come up for you to ride Hat
tie, so don your habit The broad
braids, little wife-you know my weak
ness. Nothing sits off such mignon
little faces as yours like heavy braids
anu dropping plumes."
"NonsenseP
"Sense, I assure you. When you
tie that black beaver over those dark
brown braids, and let the broad rim
shade your face, defy the world to pro
duce sucn an irresistible little female"
She was nimbly plating the rich pro-
fusion of hair while he spoke, and there
was long silence. Turning from the
glass for his approving smile, she was
surprised to see him sunk into a reverie,
and to Judge from his appear ance a
yainful one.
"What is it, Edwards"
He raised his head as be felt her soft
hand on his shoulder.
"The old story, Hattie. Nobody
trusts me but you; l cannot command
one client. They think that my motive
in marrying was mercenary one, and
they hold back from me. Let him live
on his wife's money, and leave the pro-
fession open to those dependent on it
for bread"
81 am almost tempted to echo the
wish"
"No, Hattie, there are temptations
enough for me to live in luxurious in
dolence let your influence bear where
it has ever rested, upon something
noble, if you can find il in such
wasted nature as mine"
off | had not found it, should / be
your wife nowP Who first led me to
see where my wealth could bring me
the blessings Of the poorP Who pointed
cut to me the secret charities that make
lonely hearts glad, and comfort proud
poverty without the weight of obliga-
tiop? Who told me Of students strug-
Cling to support widowed mother, or
sister, or vainly trying to save the
means Of getting an education ? Whose
delicate, searching and anonymous
letters have sent relief TO those tempted
to curse the world and die, yet too
proud to wear any but q smiling face
over wrecked heart? How proudly, l
say, my husband led me to such deeds
and taught me that wealth is lent to
give an account ut last, whether wasted
or blessing Others"
"Ahl Hattie, your sweet face first
made me lock back into my own heart
and find there only wasted opportuni-
ties and a useless life. What wonder if
I turned from such sight to try ana
aid you in your own loving charity,