The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1909-11-11
ALBERT MCCLURE
"A TALE FROM
TRUE LIFE

The year IS45 was drawing fast to
close. The trees were swaying to and
fro in the brisk, chilling December winds.
Clouds were flying southwark, an occa-
sional snowflake was seen to light upon
the ground. At Glendale Cottage, the
usual chores of the evening, were complet-
ed, and the family sat around the fire
and cheerfully talked of the events of the
day. There were only four in family,
Albert, his sister Ellen, the father and
mother.
The mother was a very comely lady,
kind and foebearing, having been given
every advantage money could provide and
having been reared by wise parents---she
was cultured, intelligent and refined. The
father was very intelligent man, who,
like good parents loved his children with
fatherly love, yet, did not permit indul-
gence to outweigh duty. The son had
great respect for his father, as a son
will have who has been taught obedience
from his birth. Of the sister little need
be said
The story is of Albert and his life.
Tonight he was telling some of the plans
of the future. All were eager listeners
to his glowing descriptions of the future.
He had finished his degree at Harvard,
had studied law in Boston, and was now
in the practice of his profession. Few
young men were better equipped for the
battles of life than he.
He was man of fine physique, strong,
full of health, life and vigor. No won
der he looked out upon life with glowing
anticipation and felt equal to all life's
coming struggles.
No wonder he pictured himself as
cending to pennacles of fame, and wearing
honors of distinction. Life did indeed, seem
promising to him.
Let US pass over the details and get to
the facts in the case. Lately he had learn
ed fact which occupied great deal
of his thoughts, fact which comes to all
men some time in life. He had an eye
for the beautiful and an ear for the low
able, and his heart was not impenetrable
to the charms Of woman.
Much of his time, for the last three
months had been spent in pleasant associ- |
alton with Miss MabelIe Thenardier. They
all had been children together, had grown
up together and always been close friends. |
He had taken her part in every child
ish quarrel, been her protector in every
controversy, and helped her over all the
difficulties at school.
Now they were school children no more. i
He was man and she was woman. |
But suppose he did love her--was it not
right. Was it not as nature had intended
it should be- Would they be happy to-
gether---since in childhood they had been
as happy as dream. Surely, it was rea-
sonable they would be. So he had fanci-
ed that of all the women in the world
he would choose Mabelle Thenardier for
his wife. His father and mother had OBJ
served the sometimes thoughtful and sill
ent mood into which he sometimes drifted,
and conjectured the cause. But tonight he
thought Of telling them his intention Of
asking to be his wife. Father and mother.
said he, wish to ask your advice in
very important matter, one which is Of |
interest to you am sure, and one which /
affects my future. You have observed my
attention and affection for MabelIe, and,
am sure, are not surprised to hear that
love her. shall have no secret which
cannot tell you, and now, | want to tell
you that have made up my mind to ask
her to be my wife Since early childhood