Year: 1871




"How did you come to marry Mr.. Marshall,
Aunt Mamie ~


Mrs. Mamie Marshall wasn't my aunt, but
had called her so for many years, for she was
the kindest and truest friend ever had. She
sat silent, knitting busily and smiling a little
before she answered me.


d" 1t all came of shaking crumb-cloth," said
Aunt Mamie.


"What did you trip him up in its folds, and
bring him down on his knees to your


"No; I'll tell you. When l was four years
old my mother died. I don't know whether
children of that tender age generally remember
their mothers as | remember mine or not but
when l was so little that l sat in high chair at
the table, would watch the chairs filling up
around it with the persistent hope that my
mother would come and sit by me and did
not relinquish this hope after l was old enough
to comprehend death, but clung to it, praying
Christ to work a miracle, as in the Bible, and
let my mother appear to my longing sight.


Never was there a more atfectionate or imag-
NATIVE child, and my youth was dreary time.
My grandmother, who had charge of me, meant
to do her duty by me, and in the usual accept
ance os the term she did was fed and clothed,
and she taught me as we'll rs her limited means
would allow. But she never manifested any af-
fection for me. She was one of those kind of
people who think kisses and caresses foolishness,
and though can look back now and remember
proofs of secret tenderness, she never kissed or
careccad mo whap I woo q child


grew up starved for love- After was four
teen years l grew to look for it from whence all
girls look for it, from lover. | read romances,
built air castles, yet so well had been trained
in practical ways and habits, that no one dream
ed of the turn my mind was taking. My fondest
dream was of the time when q material figure,
with bold, bright eyes and gay apparel, should,
seated on a milk-white charger, appear before
me as spun in the porch, or gathered berries in
the field, and folding me to his heart with tender
and assuring words, leap upon his steed, and
with me in his arms, fly to some unknown coun-
try, where he would make me queen of his cas-
tie. | never realized, ugly, ignorant child as |
was, how peculiarly absurd was any such idea
as applied to me, until one day something oc-
Cured which destroyed my beautiful illusion
and made me wretched.


There was always several weeks in the Fall
when, if the crops were good, l was almost in
cessantly employed in gathering berries, which
my grandmother preserved for Winter use. My
only companion in this work was my brother
Stephen, boy two or three years younger than
myself


One day when thus employed we caught a
glimpse of a man in regimentals, riding swiftly
through the woods.


"Who can that be ?" said Stephen.


"Oh /" said |, in delight, "perhaps it is my
lover knight, coming from the wars to find me.
Let me watch until he comes around the bend in
the road. If it is he, he will take off his plume
hat and wave it for me. Then he will gallop up
and lift me on his horse and carry me to his
moated castle"


{" A nice girl you are for a knight to run off
with, amt you A handsome lady-love you
would make, with your black face and flying
hair like wild Indians and mouth all stained
grand flying, and your shoes falling off because
they are so big I'd just like to see you"


Ny cloud-land was destroyed forever. From
that moment knew that | was ugly, uncouth
and unattractye, and my hero-lover would never
come. I ceased to expect him.


grew older | was plain and awkardy shy,
and Stunned what society was attainable to
me.


When was eighteen years old I received an
invitation from aunt who lived in Boston, to
visit her. had never seen her, and she knew
me only by report. She wished me to come and
spend the Winter with her. My grandmother
was willing that should CO. but we were very
poor, and it required great deal of economy
and management to furnish me with wardrobe
fit to visit the city with At last, however, my
outfit was completed and went to Boston.


The family of my aunt Caroline consisted of
herself her daughter Julia, and the orphan
children of deceased son. Julia was just my
age and very pretty. 1t is very hard thing to
say, but honestly think that my aunt, to whom
my personal appearance had been described,
wanted me to associate with Julia as foil to
her beauty and to reside in the family that
might assist in taking care of the children. At
any rate as soon as ! came the single servant
was dismissed.


The family lived elegantly, but I soon found
that it was done by the strictest economy. My
aunt worked hard and managed well, and no
one outside the house dreamed that their in
come was as painfully small as it was.


Julia had lover Mr. Marshall was very
handsome and mighty fine, and do not wonder
that he appeared very pleasing to me then. He
was but recently acquainted with Julia when
went there but he appeared very much in love
with her. / used to help her dress upon the