The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1888-06-16
THE BRIGHT CHORDS.

The Browns were plalnest of country
people.
"None of your new tangled notions
for me-" MIR. Brown would say. 81
want comfort, PLAN, solid comfort. But
as Tor all this modern fXin' up, | want
none of It. Ii mans home has got
to be kept in stew and stir, tryln' to
keep up with a lot of fashions whims,
so that he never has any peace in life,
| what's the use in livin'? No indeed, no
| fashion for me"
This strict notion of Mr.. Browns
| mad governed the domestic life of his
home from its very foundation. And
though he had almost waded through
fire in order to maintain it against the
ambitious wills of his wife and daughters,
maintain it he did through all lis
matrimonial years up to the present
time.
But, judging from the commotion
going Oh in the home, one would have
thought that the household was being
completely revolutionized on entirely
new principles. The alterations and
refuInishing that the house had under
zone were such as to startle the whole
neighborhood. Stylish touches, too,
had been sdded TO the dressing Of Mrs.
Brown and her daughters, and even
Mr.. Brown, whose clothes W re of the
plainest country style, had been per-
suaded to purchase a new suit, and had
promised to wear a white shirt and
black tie on that auspicious occasion.
And what was that occasion? Was
the Governor expected, or a much
more desired event than the Governor
vista marriage of one of the daugh-
tiers?
Neither. 1t was simply this: Jack
Brown. the eldest son, the hope and
. pride of the family, was expected home
i in company with "his girl'' to spend
the day.
Years before, Jack, bright, adven,
: tp1esome, energetic boy, had left the
old farn, and sought his fortune in the
tssge city, but few hours drive tfon
t4ame. He had commenced a
n ''tr 10y for a wealthy and talented
oA'O~ Had finally adopted the sam'
10" :wg4 after years of hard worl
l1lG'(s' I I risen from his humble
na~;,;on - tho, on partner with tn
49, Las a happy cqlml
same lawyer. An 10 h.d ,,or fl,
nation to his efforts, I'm ''''F WV
heart an4 hand of his VS'''ne' i'Ef'
tiful daughter.
To say that Jacks family was |l> -
of his achievements would bu aaEiti9
express their feelings on the u'T0N'
They regarded him as living EN- o''-A
ment of all wisdom and perfect. OH
and never tired of talking of the grea l.
ness of his future, for they expecten
him to fill no less position than that
! of the Presidency itself.
lack wrote to his mother of his en-
gagement, yet none OF the family had
seen his betrothed. In the imaginative
fancy of his mother and sisters, shs
was person of the most august style
the winning of whose esteem depended
solely on the amount of display on
could make. They had speculate'
much as to her disposition, her persona
appearance, and every plan was laid t
carry the favor of this prospective ans
toratiC connection.
The household was thrown into tn
most intense excitement by receiving
letter from Jack, saying that as Mis-
Layton, his affianced, wished to becom
acquainted with his family, they ha
decided to drive out to the old hon
on a certain day. His letter ended |
saying: "And now, m other, you W
have everything appear just as well
possible, won't you? You know M
Layton's family live In elegant styl
and | do not want my future wife:
see too great a contrast between II
old home and hers"
This letter threw the female membe
of the Brown family into the CREATE