Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1883-09-06
HOW HE WASL0ST AND WON


might display my new dresses, and make |
Few conquests among people who are |
too rich to consider poverty any draw. |
bsok to pretty girl Just think OF that |
Martha Simms, with her pug nose and |
frsckled face, being engaged to young
Ralston, who Is worth half million |"
People say they have known each other
from childhood, but | don't believe
word OF it for Lydia Childs told me that
MArtha's parents had drained themselves
dry TO give her decent outfit, and pay q
months expenses at Monterey, where he
WAS staying. 1t WAS good Investment,
however, for her brother Nat had dropped
into a fat position on some new railroad;
while the old people are to spend their
declining years in q lovely home in Red
wood city, presented to them by their
future son-in-lAw."
"Anita, my dear, It would grieve me
sorely to think your hippant speech an
index to the heart have always tried to
I'LL with q love Of whatever is noble aud
true In womanhood-surely, my only
child would not barter her holiest Aztec
tions for the doubtful advantages OF a
meroenary MARRIAGE How long would
the splendor and luxury OF your surround
ings delight you, il you learned to trem
BILE At the footstep, and shrink from the
oAress Of him, whose love should have
power to tighten every care, and make
heaven Of the humblest homer Remember
that you are the daughter OF woman
who crossed the plains with her young
husband, and never knew fear, or felt
hardship, so long as she might cling to
the only man who could make the desert
fairer than the familiar scenes Of her
childhood"
"Well, mother, the girls of your day
seem to have been made of different
material and when We take into con
sideration the dowdy way in which they
dressed, and the unnatural gsy in which
they were oowed and suuluad by
parental suthority-ws can sot'c4y
blame them for strayins into fields OF 70
nance, in search of heroes, whose lofty
brows were shaded with mbrosial 10 ks
but We live in more practical age, and
have yet to meet the young woman who
does not consider the length of a man
purse OF more Importance than his piOu
pr0clivities, or personal appearance.
why, you dear, darling, old-fashi0ned
"Reminiscences of a pastoral age, your
heart should thrill with gratitude, to
think that your dutiful daughter is IN IRE
anxious to secure life Of leisure, and
luxurious home for her aged mother, than
to crafty her own taste in the selection
Of . husband.
There is precious little comfort in re.
clining on manly form, that can't keep
you from the drudgery of washing dishes
and patching your old gowns or gazing
on the handsome face that is sure to be
distorted with a soowl at the faintesl hint
Of a new bonnet. Youth and beauty are
my only capital, and hope, mother, Tor
your own sake, as we'll as mine, you will
help me to invest it to the best advan
tage. The young men who attend our
church sociables, can scarcely afford
decent change OF neckties and have no
Idea OF ACCEPTING that pompous, bald
headed old widower, who is sure to settle
the bulk Of his fortune on the seven
pledges of the dear deceased, after have
spent the best years of my life in nursing
his rheumatic govt"
The above conversation took place la q
cosy psrlor, that admitted a pleasant
view of the Mission hills, over which the
fog came drifting in from the bay which
they concealed. In SNOWY clouds it
wreathed around the lofty heads of the
Twin Peaks, and gradually covered the
houses that clustered on the sides of tin.
neighboring hills, before it descended
into the valleys, which it rendered damp
and chilly for the rest of the evening.
The sun had sunk out Of sight, and the
high winds that prevailed during the day
had subsidized, while the fierce growls OF
an angry lion, and the plaintive cry of a
seal in Woodward's Gardens were the
only sounds heard in neightorhood so
near the business centre, and yet 30 free
from all its busting noise.
The mothers face grew thoughtful, as
she listened to the worldly sentiments
expressed by this beautiful daughter,
who was the apple of her eye, and the
only solace OF her widowed life; but she
WAS not fond Of argument, 80 she merely
said, "fou know, Anita, that my duties
at the mint compel me to remain in San
Francisco most Of the summer and
though would never consent to your
residence at public hotel without a
ohsperone, will not objsc. to your pass
Ing month at Santa Cruz with my old
friend, Mrs. Newberry. She is highl,
educated, fond OF society, and has Offer
invited us to spend a season with her
At her house you will have an opportu
nifty OF seeing some Of our best people
and though | hate the thought of
matrimonial speculation, hope my littl,
girl will meet with sons worthy msu
whose love will form the browning glory
OF her life-tor, | cannot forget that tn,
memory OF my welded bliss still brighten:
the horizon OF my declining years."
Well, mother, you have always beer
my benetcent fairy, and though the rosd
to my affections is paved with gold, still
think would make pretty good sort
OF wife to any man who could afford &c
relieve monotony OF my existence with
tine establishment, fashionable turn
out, plenty of diamonds, and sealskir
oloak5, and an occasional trip TO Europe
was never cut out TOR that kind OF dear
domestic darling, that delights in sharing
the joys, and soothing the sorroys of tn,
nursery and | always had a contempt
for that species of woman whose happi
ness varies with Toms temper, and who
considers it the chief aim and end of hej
existence to prove successful in the con
ooction Of Toms favorite dishes.n
Mrs. Ames had been left widow will
small income, and sufficient iniluenc,
sensible woman, she had fallen int
the error OF most fond mothers, anC
raised Anita without any idea OF sharin,
the cares and responsibilities OF thei
common lot.
In due course Of time that young lad,
found herself reigning belle at SAINT
Cruz and before the month was out, sh
felt assured that she had made favor
able impression on Mr.. Muller, the onl,
son OF wealthy wine merchant, VIII
owned one OF the largest vineyards il
Sonoma county.
Although this young gentleman drov
with her on the beach, aud sailed wit
her on the bay, he never compromise
himself by any allusion to a future
which the current Of their lives woul
how commingled but often spoke
matrimony as avery serious undertaken,
rather to be summed when the light an
frivolous character of California girls Wa
considered. In fact, he inh srited shai
of that forethought aud lhrewdnet
which induced his father to Ter upon
new field OF labor at q time when bt
few people believed in the agricultur
possibilities OF the State and often VOL
dered how Anita could be such butterf
OF fashion when her mother toiled Tor b,
bread.
One evening he sat on a rustic benz
under a wide spreading willow in Mr.
Nswberry's garden, when Anita sudden
appeared before him, in her last ne
costume-a delicate mauve, of some ligl
airy fabric, Topped up here and the
with punches Of scarlet ribbons, while
spray OF fuohsias nestled in ths cream