The Osceola times., 1883-03-10
Number Fifteen.

always begin at the beginning when
write story.
Some authors like to commence in the
middle and work at both ends; but that
| isn't my way, or, rather it wouldn't be
my way If was in the habit of writing
stories, which, thank heaven, | am not
l get my living in respectable way, by
the sweat of my brow, not by writing
lies for the newspapers. Consequently
I've but one story to write and that is my
own.
My name is Rhoderic McStivers, and Pm
native of the good old town Of Tad
mouth. I'm forty years old if I'm day,
and, If do say it, as good looking for my
age as any man you ever set eyes on.
Twenty years ago was fully as hand
some as am ROW, and at that time was
engaged TO the charming Mary Black,
the belle Of Falmouth.
That yas the beginning of all my woe
that engagement. was poor then Il
own the largest boot mandatory in Tad
mouth to-day and the Lord only knew
when should be able TO marry Mary
But she said she didn't care, she could
wait two or three centuries just as well
as not, ii I'd only be true to her in the
mean tiine.
Sooner shall the blue ocean melt to air.
Sooner shall earth resolve itself to sea,
Than resign thine image, oh, my fair,
Or think of any, thing excepting thee.
That's just what said. You wouldn't
think, to look at me now, that ! could
say anything quite so soft as the above,
would you? Bless you! had more po-
etry in my head twenty years ago than
you could shake stick at.
Many are poets who have never pennd
Their inspirations, and Icrchance the best.
That's what's the matter with me. II
l hadn't confined myself to leather,
should have played the deuce with "thc
nine"
Well, you understand from the above
that Mary and were all right. sworc
that I'd be true, and she dittocd; but,
bless you my dear sir, the sweet girl had
father, and he was not so young as we
were bv several years.
Those were days when my heart was
volcanic" but the old gentleman's pal.
pitator was as hard and cold as east
iron grind-stone. The paternal Black
did not believe much in love, you see.
He had married for money, and, in his
opinion, that was the only thing worth
marrying for; and 80, instead of throw.
ing his only child away upon miserable
vagabond like myself, he very unceremo-
niously showed me the door one evening
and the very next day brought home q
lover of his own choosing to Mary.
The lovers name was Bunsby, and he
rolled in gold, metaphorically speaking
owned a fine house in New York, and
had horses, carriages and servants "toC
numerous to mention" Oh, why should
linger over this period of my existence
Pm sure | don't know why, and hanl
me il l do.
You guess the rest. Mary was dazzlet
with her new lovers wealth. She foigoI
poor Rhoderick McSlivcrs, and married
rhos. Bunsby, Esq, and II alas, wa'
not invited to the wedding.
Anything more heartless than tn,
above can scarcely be imagined. sup
pose might have "gonc into mourning.
They told me | couldn't be nun on ac
count of my sex.
"Oh, what shall do?' asked, in {
voice that sounded horribly strange, not
withstanding itwas my own. ] defy yor
to tell me what did do In the light o
my twenty years experience, ] am con
vinced that did the best thing coulC
under the circumstances married m,
boarding mistress. She was 30 and
was 20 years of age; she was
A maid unmatched a manners as In face,
skilled in each art aud crowned with ever.
grace.
And, though / never learned to love hel
extrayagantly, must confess that sh,
could make the best apple dumplings
ever ate.
A daughter was born to us after tim,
and we called her Julia, after my grand
mother, who was one of the most beauti
fnl women in the country, to judge b,
her portrait now before me. My daugh
ter looks much as my grandmother dic
at her age.
| Well, as l said, a daughter was born I.
us and a son was born to Bunsby, an,
and they called him Tom. We heard o
the last mentioned event up here il
Tadmouth, but for years / never saw
either Mary or her son, notwithstandin,
thoe used TO visit her father quite oftei
while the old gentleman lived.
But at last Mr.. Black was gathered t
/ his fathers, and about the same time m,
wife was gathered to her mothers, and
was left alone with my little Julia.
was rich then-the most wealthy maj
: In falmouth had built me fin
house, the same that have lived in eve
since, with my little Julia as housckoef
: er.
Well, how things will come about. Las
summer young Tom Bunsby came on, L
Tadmouth and put up at the hotel-the,
have quite number Of summer board
ers there and the first thing the youn.
: man did was to fall in love with IN,
, daugnter Julia.
4 OF c0une the poor fellow was not I.
f1a,ma IA e0u(dot HIN IL fnr aha m,