Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-08-13
Her Account
OF Herself
By ESTHER VANDEVEER


last together ten years that have made
Il great change in both of us. You, be-
ing year older than |, must now be
twenty-one. You ask me to give an
account of myself during our separa-
ton. and | will proceed to do so.
Papa died three years ago, and since
mamma left us some years before his
demise | was left an orphan at seven
teen. Papa had made will when |
was twelve, appointing Ian old chum
of his, Charles Edwards, my guardian
and directing that | be taken care of
by Mr.. Edwards till | should come of
age. When papa died his attorneys
sent copy of the will to my guardian,
who directed that l be sent to him.
What do you suppose found ON my
arrival? The housekeeper received me,
and when she saw me | thought she
would have a fit 1t seems that, my
fathers directions having been laid
down in his will when 1 was ten years
old, it was supposed that | was a
child. Papa and Mr.. Edwards had
lived apart and had not seen each other
for ten years. The housekeeper told me
that | must wait till she made differ.
ent arrangements regarding my room.
but | was very tired after my journey
and insisted on going to it at once.
was never more amused in my life
when | entered the chamber that had
been prepared for me. A crib had been
procured for me. and the room was
strewn with playthings, including
dolls. All these things had been
bought new, for Mr.. Edwards, being a
bachelor, had never had any family.
| consented to go into another room
temporarily, where | rested till dinner
time.
| went downstairs at o'clock and
found Mr. Edwards had returned from
business He had been told by Mrs
Harding, the housekeeper that | was
much older than he supposed, but even
with this he seemed much surprised,
though really the surprise was with
me. l always looked upon papa as an
elderly if not an old man and sup
posed his friend to be the same. Papa
was forty-six when he died, and Mr..
Edwards was seven years younger. He
doesn't took much over thirty and is as
young in his actions as in appearance.
We dined together, and he was very
good and sympathetic and said so
many nice things about papa, regret
ting that, living in different places,
they had been separated. In the even
ing | overheard him talking with the
housekeeper about me and asking her
opinion as to whether 1t would be
proper for him to keep me with him.
She said that so long as she was in
the house it would not be amiss, and
he said that since his guardianship
would last only year-till l was
eighteen-perhaps | had better remain
where | was.
This settled it, and | was sent to
school. Mrs. Harding. Il woman of six
ty, being given full charge of me. |
found her an excellent woman and owe
a great ueal 10 uer care anu lrun4.ns.
When | came of age my guardian
called me into his study and gave me
a talk, telling me that | was now free
to act for myself and 90 where ! liked
I asked him where | should CO. at the
same time Wipng the moisture from
my eyes With this he lost his stiff
ness and tod re that might remain
where | was so long as | liked, but
ho I nd Il nd mn
see something of society.
Mr.. Edwards had a great many
friends and interested several Of them
to get me Invitations. but | had no one
to escort me to functions wanted
him to do so. but he wouldn't. He
didn't tell me why, but knew, He
feared people would accuse him Of APP
propriating me to himself. He knew
some young fellows at his club and in
vited them to the house. This | con
opportunity to select a husband from
them.
But didn't.
, All the young men he introduced to
me were very nice-if they hadn't been
he wouldn't have introduced them
but | didn't care for their attentions
, except to dance with them and all
that you know. and after a year had
gone by md didn't make a match
! with one Of them Mr.. Edwards said
to me one day:
Laura. you must remember that you
J have permanent home to look out
for. and you can't very well make a
home without n husband or wife"
You seem to have done So"
But am not you. I'm past mid
marrying age"
How can | mate" | asked. when
the man | wish to marry doesn't wish
to marry me-"
z At this he started and asked II ! had
really given away my heart, told
him that | didn't ike to answer such
question nnd that was perfectly
satisfied to rpm?in where | was and
, would not h" driven out. He looked
> at me STRANGELY ut this and ended the
interview 10y turning to his newspaper
think Mrs Harding must have said
something { Inn. for one day he said
to me. Laura. II you propose to make
this house ,our home for life you'll
have to marry the old fellow who
owns II
!. We were rtrlied the following June
am very happy Now that have
given you IN account of myself shal
expect you T. lo the same by me
-~- 80. -'"'