Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1903-06-04

that it is so, and that I am
endowed with a lofty nature-a nature
that scars above the petty details and
sordid considerations of everyday ex-
istence, and seeks only to lead the
higher life. To me a mans person
and possessions are as nothing. I look
only at his mind, his soul, which are
his real self. The one mate possible
for me is a man of beautiful, exalted
mind, of pure, sublime soul He alone
could ever be congenial to me. He
alone could ever inspire my girlish
love. Where may such a man be
found? To find him is the dream Of my
life. And I am not quite sure but I
have already found him. I speak of
Jack Rendlesham. In the first place,
Jack is a gentleman; and that, by it.
self, denotes some graces of mind. But
t he is much more. He lives by litera-
ture; and although he has not achieved
any great work, yet many of the
smaller things that he has done, both
in prose and poetry, breathe in every
line the true spirit of sublime senti-
ment and lofty imagination.
Jack, of course, is poor. That is as
| 1t should be. Have not the great gen.
! fuses of the world-the poets, painters
! and musicians-all started poor?
Jack Rendlesham has always sought
my society, recognizing in me, no
doubt, kindred mind. That he loved
me, could see from the first And /
| also felt that I loved him. I used to
picture myself in the capacity Of Jack S
wife, his inspiring help-meet, his con-
genial mate, his stimulating partner
in the higher life which we were both
resolved to lead.
Our home should be a dear little
cottage, covered with jasmine and
woodbine, in the sweet retirement of
some rural paradise. And he and ]
should always be together, alone with
nature and natures Creator.
There came to live in my neighbor-
hood young man named BlobSsworth.
He was on the Stock Exchange, and
was making a great deal Of money.
This set me against him at once.
Nor did his conversation at the out.
set give me any cause to vary my
opinion. It was gossipy, trif1ing, shall
low He referred to no topic more
elevating than the latest success at the
West End theatres, nor to any sub
ject more abstruse than motor cars
and free-wheel bicycles.
When I came to know him rather
better, I found reason to modify, il
some degree my former opinion. Little
by little signs peeped out, trivial il
themselves, but important as indica
tors, which showed him to be less ma
terial than I had originally supposed
At first, I could not believe it: bu
gradually, and somewhat against m.
will, the truth forced itself upon me
!. This young stock broker, in spite 0
his profession, in spite of his wealth
;. ;. in spite CT his education, his bringin
up, in spite of the sordid atmospher
, which he had always been conlpelle
to breathe-yet, in spite Of all this, h
still had a mind; not, indeed, beautifr
: at present, but capa lie Of becomin
! beautiful; still had hidden away
= his innermost bosom yearnings, Ion:
:, ings, vague aspirations towards th
higher life.
The more reflected upon the matte
and the more 1 studied Mr.. Blobb
worth. the more I felt sure that
him I had found the bright e.
ception. I was glad, and yet
- " was sorry for him, when I realize
what narrow cage indeed it was
which he found himself confined. TIL
;, was only brought home to me whe
= he asked mamma and me up one afte
. noon to the house which he had I
:. Gently purchased in our neighborhoo
y When saw the perfect appointment
:, = the enervating luxury of it all, Il
- lawns, the gardens. the greenhouse
the stables-when noted the obseQI
Gus menials, the butler, footmen, ga
deners and grooms who We're ever