Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-02-26
Au original Storg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
A Rash Experiment.
BY MISS M. LEE.
CHAPTER 7.

Friend Simpson has asked Elizabeth to mar
nv him, and that she actually refused him ~
'Yes, Reuben, 1 had it from the child's
own lips"
sShe isa perverse, disobedient girl. She
knew that my heart was set upon this
match!'
Old Reuben Carey, as he spoke, rose from
his seat, and with angry, impatient steps,
strobe up and down the room. His wife, a
gentle dame, regarded his movements with
anxious and wistful eyes. =
"Thee mustn't be too hard upon her, Reu-
ben," she said, in pleading tone. "She is
young, and has always had her way"
=, ''Yes, that is it--she has always had her
way. From a little one, she has been pam
pered and INDUCED, and now she regards no
will but her own. Thee hasn't trained her
well, Prudence; thee has too soft heart"
Prudence Carey-still fair and comely
woman, younger by many years than her
husband-came to the old mans side and
Slipped her hand within his arm.
tive heard thee say, Reuben, that
woman should be ever soft-hearted and kind,
and that the men alone should rule: Why
didn't thee rule our Elizabeth better? 1t
ed her in all her life and why should II"
"Pshaw there is difference, Prudence,
between a woman being cantankerous and
headstrong in her opinions, where her hus-
bands Judgment is concerned, and having
proper tirmness in governing her children.
Thee has been good vile always, don't
deny. Thee has always shown the true
spirit of obedience and docility, and so far
thee deserves nothing but praise. But thee
isn't bound to give up to Lisbeth as thee
does to me; that is quite another affair.""
ssLisbeth has always been a good child,
Reuben. She has never needed harsh man
agement; word, even look, has always
been enough to direct her in the right way"
ssThen can't understand her disobedience
now. Why should she choose to thWart me
in INV express wish? She has known for a
wear past that favored George Simpsons
suit. He would be in every respect suit
able husband for her."
Hardly suitable in point of age, Reuben:
He must be forty years old-and she but
seventeen"
"Well, and where is the harm of that?
He weuld be the better fitted to control and
protect her. Thee didn't consider my age
an objection when courted thee"
"There is less difference than that be-
tween US, Reuben; and besides-thee had
my heart"
stWell, we'll and why can't Lisbeth give
George Simpson her heart"
ssAh!-one can't control ones affection,
Reuben. 1t must be spontaneous. Friend
Simpson is a good, honorable man, and
would make our child an excellent husband,
I doubt not; yet, for all that, would
shrink from the responsibility of forcing her
to marry him against her will"
"The truth is, young people now have
got into dangerous fashion of judging for
themselves, in preference to ABIDING by
their parents will. AS if they had any
iudgment" said Reuben, contemptuously.
tsAnd tell thee what, Prudence, thee has
given the girl too much liberty in choosing
her own company. That fiy-away acquaint-
ance of hers, that worldly young Helen
Vane, has filled her silly head with vainglo-
rious ideas. It's pity they have been al
lowed such free intercourse with each
other"
sHelen Vane! Thee never objected to
Lisbeth going with her, husband. She is
a good, warm hearted girl"
''Ah, but given over to folly and fashion,
and a reader of light literature besides. How
does thee know but she has loaned Eliza
beth some of her foolish books she delights
in? 1t is not an unlikely thing to have
happened"
recollection of once finding a copy Of Ten
nyson's "Maud," with illustrations, in Eliz-
abeth's bedroom, and Of giving tacit per-
mission to her daughter to finish reading
the poem before returning it to its rghtful
owner DuG q WOlu oiS Cliu w iiSh
strict Puritan spouse of this circumstance,
and surely now was not the time TO say
such word. -,
"Love stories, and such rubbish, are the
ruination of a youthful mind even ii gifted
by Nature with more than ordinary sense"
proceeded Reuben. II fear much that Lis
beth's mind may have become corrupted by
some such influence. Does thee attend to
her regular Scriptural exercises, Prudence,
or does thee leave such matters altogether to
her own discretion?"
II have considered it unnecessary, for
year or two past, to interfere with her pri-
vate devotions," replied his wife, gently.
"Lisbeth is too conscientious to neglect her
religious duties, and thee knows how de-
vout she is at meeting always, and at fami-
ly prayer as WELL"
''She makes fair enough show on the
outside" muttered Reuben.
An unwonted flush dyed Prudence's cheek.
"Thee would not accuse her of hypocrisy,
Reuben?" said she, almost Indignantly.
"I accuse her of nothing. But what saith
Scripture? BY their fruits We shall know
Them The fruit of true pety is obedience.
A religious child is never rebelious against
parental authority"
"Consider, Reuben, that in this case thee
has exercised no authority. Lisbeth has not
rebelled, nor disobeyed any command that
I know Of"
mot an expressed command; but thee
can't DENY that she understood my will in
the matter. 1 hope that she has not formed
any worldly attachment-has thee no such
suspicion, Wife?'
"Now cried Prudence, startled by the
suggestion. "Such an idea has never pre-
sented itself to my MUD. Besides, it is i'm
possible-she has had no pportunity-and
how could help knowing it"'
"Stranger things have happened" re-
joined Reuben, drily. "But don't thee look
so wild over the notion-it was only fancy
of mine. And J. tell thee, wife, it may do
some good if thee will talk to Lisbeth-talk
kindly, of course, but yet be little posi-
tive for once, and let her know what we
expect of her"
"Wouldn't thee talk to her instead, Reu-
ben? Thee would carry more authority"
"No, 1 leave such matters to women
folk" hastily interrupted Reuben and not
caring to discuss the question, he soon after
left the room.
Friend Carey sat down to work. Her
gentle mind was more perturbed, by her
husbands unexpected suggestion of the
possibility of Lisbeth having prior attach
ment, than she had cared to show; and
Notwithstanding her positive assertion to
the contrary, she could not refrain from
wondering whether there could, by any
chance, be any reason in the suggestion.
A light step and gay voice in the hall
way interrupted her meditations; and the
steps and voice were the prelude to the
opening of the door, and the entrance OF
Elizabeth herself.
No girl could have looked less like what she
lev, fhn nhi Of nD-