South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1891-04-03
HETTY AND ADONIRAM.

Yulee fret began to be talked about
in the neighborhood as 'keeping com.
pany' she was l6 and he was not 26,
and it was tue family opinion that
they sere too young TO set the day.
They we're mild. obedient creaturer,
and agreed TO wait. Counting time,
were so happy, and old folks must
know best, they said.
A year went by-two-iwo aud a
half. Then Adoniram thought he
would see how Hetty's mother felt
about it now; and he was tying Ills
new cravat to call ON her for the pur-
pose. when the new arrival from Cas-.
tie Garden having laid the wood for
the tea FIRE. poured kerosene oil upon
1t. There was q fssh-a smash
shrieks. The poor girl rushed out
OF the house and plunged into the
cis.ern, which fortunately Was not full
enough 70 drowl her, and escaped
with some severe burns, ard nobody
was killed but the cat; but the left
wing Of the house was burned down,
and expense put the idea OF talking
to Mrs. Yulee out Of Adoniram>s
mind for another while.
Hetty came over and helped 10 get
to rights, and made almost all the
new rag carpet for the kitchen, and
got up on the step.lsdders, of which
stout old Mrs. Martin had grown O..
frsid, to hang cnrtains, end never
seemed nicer or swestsr to her Ado.
hiram but he had to use bio mooey,
and he felt that he ought 10 be = lit
tie ahead on their Wedding day. So
the sun mer passed, aud they talked
about getting married in the spring,
but q sad occurrence took place. Old
Mr.. Yulee died. and left bis family
in great grief and some little pecu n
larry embarrassment.
Hetty had not the ,hegrt TO think of
marrying now for long while, aud
sbe could not think Of leaving her
mother.
Years passed. Then Mrs. Yulee
died, and again the period OF mourn .
Ing must be observed.
However, in the course of a year,
Adoniram asked Helty TO set The dsy
and 60 home with him, and now, at
last, they we're TO be married after an
engagement Of ten years.
The day had almost arrived when
Mrs. Martin died.
SO the Wedding dress was folded
away. Old CouSin Sally came to
keep house for Adoniram, and anoth.
or year went by.
However, the long betroshed pair
only grew fonder OF each other, and
the wedding dress bad been shaken
out, pressed and laid ready once more,
when Hatty fell down stairs and broke
her arm.
The arm knit very soon, but Hetty
arose from her bed possessed with the
idea that Providence was against her
union with Adoniram. Nothing could
shake this belief, She grievsd over
IL, but che held TO II hTmly.
The Two engaged people had no
regular breaking of and we're the
best Of friends ia the world, but they
ived on year after year in their Ion {.
ly homes, until i'll natured people spoke
OF Hetty as an odd maid and Of Ado.
hiram. as old bachelor, and there was
10 neither mind any thought of chang
ing the existing state Of affairs.
Upon her 40th birthday Miss Hetty
Yulee went one day across The hills 10
Nettlewood to buy q cashmere dress,
an enterprising merchant OF that place
having advicsd all the ladies within
many miles CT the fact that be had
laid in a good stock Of all the fash
ionable shades At extremely low pri
ces.
Hetty was in somewhat low spirils
She was fond OF dark blues and gar'
nets. and they became her; but
thinking OF her yesrs, sho had decided
to wear black; it did not become
her, but, she said in q spiteful way