Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-08-09


who did these verses, was sonnet "TC
Virginia." which began:
The happy rose which lately from thy hands
tock With kisses, dry and withered lies.
did not attempt to read further al
the moment. Indeed, felt inclined tC
draw myself up austerely at first, but OIL
second thought acknowledged his pre-.
sumption with the same laughing CO.
Quety had hitherto displayed. After
all, it was not worth while to become
angry. His extravaganza was not to be
taken too seriously. 1t was rather re.
freshing for change. wondered how
he would behave II he ever really were
in love.
Meanwhile l had endeavored to listen
at the same time to the conversation be-
tween Aunt Helen ana Mr.. Spence. !
was relieved to find that he saw fit to
avoid any alluSion TO his theories, and
pursued the highway Of indifferent sub
jectS, such as the weather, the stage and
| foreign travel. Still l could tell from
Aunt Helen'S superior and, as 1t seemed
to me, disdainful tone, that she by no
means approved Of my new acquaint-
ances, though l detected her casting an
occasional glance OF puzzled curiosity at
Mr.. Barr, whose eccentricities were,
suppose, more amusing than the calm Of
her companion.
Il don't suppose you find the differ
ences very marked between this country
and Europe. Mr.. Spencer" l heard her
inquire after learning that he passed
much of his life abroad.
ION the contrary, very slight"
"Nice deople are very much the same
everywhere" she observed haughtily.
ITO tell the TRUTH" said Mr.. Spence,
81 have been rather disappointed at
finding the people, as we'll as the man
nerS and customs, Of this country so
similar 10 those across the water. l had
been led to expect originality and indie
pendence. That was what l was taught
TO believe as a child. But after an alb
scence from my country OF six years
came back TO find nearly the same man
nerS and customs, and the same virtues
and vices, as left behind me in Eu-
rope"
"Vices?" echoed Aunt Helen. 81
should say there was much less vice in
this country than in Europe"
''NOt If we judge by the newspapers.
"Ah, but one can't believe all one
reads in the newspapers, " she said, with
an air OF triumph.
Mr.. Spence had, unluckily for the i'm
preston he was likely to create, the
courage OF his convictions as we'll
knew, and as he began to reply felt less
secure that he would not trench upon
dangerous ground.
There is a general tendency to ape
foreign ideas, which is fast destroying
our originality as nation" he con-
tinued.
Foreign ideas are often the BEST"
said my aunt.
1--WE are beginning to talk and dress
and dine and give IN marriage, just like
the rest OF the world" he explained,
without regarding her comment.
Aunt Helen looked little blank.
Then with her most stately air she said
"Surely you wouldn't have marriages
performed before q justice OF the peace?
1t destroys all their sentiment. l know
a great many persons who wouldn't |
consider themselves married so. As TO |
living differently, don't know what you |
mean. There are people here who adyo-
cate cremation, cooperation, and that |
sort of ching, but one doesn't meet them |
in society,""
Il am no judge" said Mr.. Spence |
coOlly, "for never go into society"
sIndeedw Aunt Helen surveyed him
through her eyeglasses as il he were
curious ANNA and her haughtiDess |
perceptibly increased. care 'you-eh-
In business in BoSton?"
"No, madam. am Bohemian, re-
piled Mr.. Spence, in whose eyes l per-
ceived twinkle.
"a what? All, yes, Of course. un-
derstood you to say you were born In
this country. And the other gentleman
-eh-he is a foreigner too?"
For an instant Mr.. Spence looked be-
wildered: and as for me | was inwardlY
convulSed, so much so that l betrayed
my feelings in smile at the moment
when Paul Barr was reciting blood
curdlinz piece of poetry OF his own com
poSing-an indiscretion which offended
the artist-poet to such an extent that in
nv efforts to mollify him / failed TO
catch Mr.. Spence's reply. He rose to
take his leave at this point; but 1t
CHANGED that Just then my father en-
tered the room, and l was obliged to re-
neat the intrOductions. While Twas say
ing a few last words to Mr.. Spence IN
regard to the sort OF instruction l was TO
receive from Mr.. Fleish, Paul Barr con-
versed with nay father, laying down the
law in his most superb fashion regarding
the immense fortune in store Tor any one
who would start what he called ng
farm in this country. Although L had
never heard him breach business mat
ter before. he seemed entirely familiar
with his subject, and fairly bristled with
statistics and calculations to prove the
soundness OF his theory, gardeners to
the contrary Notwithstanding. My
father listened TO him patiently, and
seemed 10 be amused. Aunt Helen sat
apart with a reserved, patrlcian air.
NV two callers took their leave to-
eether, and when the front door closed
nv father said loosely:
.,Who are your friends, Virginia? l
hone they have not been persuading you
to invest in a fig farm"
blushed, remembering my former
design of specializing with Mr.. Dale, OF
which. however, my father had no
knowledge.
both are literary men OF high repu-
tation," answered quietly, though L
had an instructive feeling that nay father
would make sport Of this assertion. But
experience had taught me that with him
IL was best to call a spade spade.
"That accounts for it. l thought the
gentleman in velveteen had a screw
loose somewhere he said, as he passed
out of the room.
oWeH, Virginia." exclaimed Aunt
Helen when we were alone, whom have
YOU picked up now?"