Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1883-09-06

beneath lt5 sheltortng leaves,
reminds me OF my mother. She has long
since been laid to rest, but my father
often declares chat abe whole current OF
his existence was oolored by her swest
and noble example, and
hope that every act OF her sons life will
be governs by those prec-pts, inculoated
with 30 much gentlsnsss and love-"
81 am very much afraid, Mr.. Mailer,
that the husbands OF this generation are
doomed to Disappointment il they look
for those exalted virtues that seem to |
have been developed by crossing the |
plains, living under canvas roofs, and |
roughing it generally. Fur my part, |
don't see that a woman deserves 80 much |
credit for staying at homa when she has |
nothing doesn't to wear, or for being In
different to stylish dress when there il
no place to display it; and | have
always observed that those gentlemen |
who rail most loudly at the folly aud |
II our sex are the very last
tU patr0nize any Old fashioned, sensible |
sirl who may appear on the soene."
Had Mr.. Muller bsen an ordinary
young man and weak enough to bs con-
trolled by his fancy and inclination, he
would have suloumb to the rare beauty
winning ways aud unfsiling good,
lumor that made Anita such a favorite
in social circles; but he was resolved to
marry no woman unless he had studied
her character in the privacy of home.
Hsr frequent and afectionate illusions
to her mothers noble, self. denying
nature pleased him greatly, for he knew
that but few girls appreciate tina. devotion
RAT
makes the morning of life pass like the
realization of some bright dream.
Anita wrote to her bosom friend, Lydia
Childs, that she had found her beau
ideal. "Not one of those red faced, puffy,
old porpoises that one always associates
with the idea of vast wealth, but an
Adonis of 80. whose dark eyes seem to
read your Utmost thoughts (though l
shouldn't like him to perceive the calcu.
lating nature of mine), Cr1ius who
iresses exquisitely, dances divinely, and
still possesses the dignity and mental
superiority to make himself respected
were he psuper. And yet, Lydia,
tsar, he is difficult fish, for, though he
nib5les freely at the bait, he has not vet
been caught, aud rather think he is on
the lookout for virtues. He says he will
take great pleasure in making my mothers
acquaintance, so | wish, desr, that you
would step around and take look ct the
hanging baskets and perhaps it is time
to bring the musk and ferns into the
house, for Intend to fl | the bay window
with birds and tl)wers aud tell mother
| have finished the new tides for the
psrlor. You have often heard me re-
mark that handsome rooms are as
accessory to young wonan's success IS
varied aud extensive wardrobe. A
pretty girl in a shabby house always re-
minds me OF line diamond in au old
fashioned, silver setting. Do you think
you could persuade mother to move that
portrait of my paternal into some less con.
spicuous place Young Cr93us has been
wandering among the old masters in
Italy. rs is said to be a connoisseur,
and am afraid he would find that blank
stare and gawky position rather excruciat-
ing. | wrote the dear old lady su
affeJtioaats epistle this morning, but you
are the sole recipient of my Utmost
| thoughts"
Anita had resided under the maternal
roof some months before Mr.. Muller
called. He said he had besn summoned
East on important business, but in reality
he had determined that time and change
u scene should erase the image of one he
deemed too light and frivolous to make a
good wife. But travel where he would
he was haunted by the same bewltching
face, while every dream of the future wss
wresthed around the same loved form.
81 will study her character at home, "
thought he, land then il | find her de.
/ Hf1a tv, ryfr -
must possess, the broad Atlantic will
sona roll between me aud her psrilous
attractions"
How many pleasant evenings he spsn,
in the cosy parlor, decorated by Anita
fair hands, aud how soon he learned tt
reverence the aged mother, whose only
fault seemed to be an oyerweenina
tenderness for this child OF her declining
years 1t grieved him to see this maternal
love so ill-requited, for he soon perceived
hat the daughter did nothing to tighten
the mothers toll, while she was defcien,
in all those little cares and attentions sc
dear 10 parents heart.
One evening he called by appointment
to take her to the theatre. Mother /:
sick in bed" said she, "but hated tc
dissppoint you, and then it is the last
night of that dear, delighted Nelson.
have just given her spoonful Of medi
cine, and hope she will sleep until my
return"
Absorbed as Anita was by ths bril-
liancy OF the scene and OF the fortunes o
Rosalind, she did not fail to observe tina
her escort was unusually silent, and
when she rallied him on the subject al
she babe him good night, he said that
his "conscisnce reproached him for HAVING
deprived her mother of daughter
care"
How often she thought OF the mournfu
tone in which these words were Spoken
when he was far away, for he called tn,
next day to say that he was about I,
leave for an extended tour in Europe.
Five years had passed, and ALDER
Muller sat smoking and dreaming on tn,
same rustic bench in Mira. ewberry'
garden at Santa Cruz. His meditation
were interrupted by that lady who seated
herself at his side, in order to entertain
him with history of the most importan
events that had transpired during hi
absence.
'By the way, Albert" said she, "you
old flame, Anita Ames, is not marie,
yet. Shortly after you left her mothe
was stricken paralysis. Anita took he
place in the Mint, gave up society, an
devotes herself entirely to the invalid
Most people thought her too frivoloue
but | always knew that the first touch q
sorrow would develop the tenderness
her heart and the nobility OF her nature
They are here at present, stopping a tn
Seaside House-well, declare, they ar
at the gate !"
The young man threw down his ciga
and advanced TO meet the ladies who ha
just entered. He was greeted affection
ately by the mother and with gray
dignity by the beautiful woman on whol
she leaned.
After innumerable questions had bee
: asked and answered the party entered IL
house, and Albert felt convinced that
all his travels he had never met fair.
/, face or more stately presence. She ha
! grown much taller, and the sligh
: girlish form had rounded to the full,
! proportions of womanhood the brigh
, bewitching face that haunted his dream
i in foreign lands was tinged with
- thoughtful sadness that rendered it inf
:, nitely beautiful and when he saw IL
|, tender light that filed the mothers ey,
as her daughter helped her to the easie
, chair, he felt that he was but tram
: unit 10 stand in the presence of such 4
. angel.
= As there is 10 feeling more easily ovel
, come by the ordinary man than an
= humiliating sense of his own inferiorit,
a he coon mustered up sufficient courage |
!, renew his addresses. The ardor of h
lnWTaa loo. al