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uter- ATLANTA GA., OCTOBER 25th, 1879. Terms in advance*; Single Copy So No. 224 EDITORS AND PROPRIETORS. VOL. V THE THREE AGES OF LOVE. Oh! the early time of love, when my fancy used to rove From the black. eyes to the blue trom the tiny to the tall; When as many girls were dear as the days that till the year. An’.the newest and youngest was the fairest of t"em :°1I, When I lived but in her sight, and lay awake ill night. Ere I met her in the green wood on a dewy morn of May; And a treasure passing rare was a stolen tress of hah; Oh! me: ry days of youth, ’twas a sin ye could not stay. Oh! the manly tone of love, though the face for which I strove, From its cheek hath lost a rose, from i s eye a shade of blue; Tho’ I see a furrow now on its mild and matron brow, The years teat dimmed its beauty have made it dearer, too. And my heart itswel.s with pride to see her by my side. Or to hear her singing tenderly -oine old and sim ple lay. When the fire is burning bright, on a stormy winter night; Oh.' days of home delight, ye should never pass away. But age comes creeping near, with his forehead black and sere. And his heavy, heavy ear, and his voice so small and shrill. When my step must totter slow, and my strength dwindle low: Till a baby with its little hand can]lead \he when the evening was not too damp for delicate young ladies to be exposed out of doors?’ and so forth. When other gentlemen conversed with me,he seem ed unhappy or slightly disconcerted. I could now see an effect was produced, and the crises must soon near. 1 was not in much haste. This was too good fun for me lightly to dispose of. There was soon to be a sleighing party, a ball al so to come off on the occasion. We were to go quite a number of miles to a village where there was a famous hotel, there to have a supper and dance. All our thoughts were given to this event, at present. Thomas had invited me, and I accept ed his kindness; still I longed to exert my usual love of the ridiculous, yet, with a perseverance worthy a far better cause, I desisted, satisfying my self with being very lively, and truly getting through the whole without a mischievous act. In deed I behaved wonderfully well, dancing but lit tle, as Mr. Fairfax did not participate in that amusement. , He said he had enjoyed himself high ly, i For several succeeding days he very devoted and as each evening drew near, I trembled lest he shaded make a declaration, speak particularly of the eviiping 'ffor it always dwWSYBVhie thfe time selected ft* the irevel of the blind god. / / -1 di>7 not give him an or ^rtunity- to see me alone. One night after tea, isy friehitts requested me tosing: plaintive music was always my choice, singular as it may seem. I sang a variety of my favor.te songs, many of them from Moore’s melo dies,together with a few Scottish ballads,full of the rich pathos with which they are replete. After I had finished, Mr. Fairfax came to me, asking for a short conversation as a particular favor, after the other ladies had retired. I pleaded great fatigue. He then made the same request for the next eve ning. This I granted. I wished to have an interview with my friends first, and the delay gave me opportunity. I had not, as yet, formed my plan, if the object of the gentleman was as I expected. The girls all wished to be in hearing at the termination of our little plot, so it was arranged they should be. The next night after they bade the family good- eve, they retired to a large panty closet 1 in the din ing hall, locking themselves within. There was a slide from this, opening into the kitchen, but not large enough to admit of their egress. After all was quiet, and the other members of the house hold retired to rest, I proposed to Mr.' .'Fairfax that we should go into the dining hall, as that room was more comfortable than the parlors. Of t-ourse he acceded to that, as I presume he would to most any request at such a time. Soon, we were seated comfortably upon a broad old-fashioned sofa, Which perhaps, could it speak, might have informed us, this was not the first time it had heard a confession of love. Thomas thus begun—‘You cannot imagine, Miss Howard, with what delight I have observed the seeming change in your character and tastes since you have been in D r. But you must, ere this, have noticed my deep interest in yoar welfare ; it has amounted to ardent love tor you. And 1 now, with humility, offer you my bearc, hand and for tune. The first has been in your keeping for sev eral weeks past. My hand will ever be ready to aid you, and my fortune, which is by no means incon- siderable, is at your disposal. Reflect, before you answer me. 1 know I am twice your age, but years sometimes briug wisdom from experience. My personal appearance is also against me, but believ e me, I have a warm soul entirely devoted to your interests. If you cannot answer me favora bly now, I beg you to take sufficient time to consid er the subject with attention. This is the sum total of what good Thomas said. Was I not a cruel girl, a heartless, wicked little heathen ? Do you believe me ? I actually accepted tne love of the diminutive, corpulent Tom, much to the horror and amazement of the three closeted damsels, who were now in great perplexity them selves. ‘What can Ellen mean V said one. ‘I really think she is insane at times,’ answered Emma. ‘I shall cease to wonder at anything again, if Ellen Howard becomes Mrs. Thomas Fairfax,’ re plied Julia. This they afterwards told me. But to return to my lord, who all this time is waiting for his an swer. ‘Mr. Fairfax,’ I began, ‘I have observed your alteration of manner toward me, and am grateful for it. I also thank you for your kind preference, however unworthy your choice. I fear you have not reflected sufficiently yourself, upon so impor tant a matter, but I accept your proposal without hesitation. Let us not converse more to-night upon the subject, as it will afford us both much matter for thought. So with your permission, my I LIFTED HER HAND TO MY LIPS, BELIEVING HER FULLY. rivol- done but what was absolute necessary for the ipera- neatness of bis room. Mrs. Evans was surprised, have She asked what led him so to speak; Atid be men- ird to tinned what hail occurred. She told him she would i. .. dnta^jmd severely h tte'&r, took place ,i , cc/iis - lly, .. . V t )eat*r-0 u* .YhJ .t'-uch audacity. But ttu ’ manhood’s prime te past, so long as life shall last, Her gentle voice shall cheer me, still her faithful arm sustain; And our love shall even brave tbe^iarting of the gra.®,e ' ' * For I know there’s bliss b eyond, and we shall meet agau. caution her servant them. If any su* should be exposed. When Mrs? Eva:!. . said, tve were amazed „ . ‘But,’ said she, ‘my girls deny ever having done such deeds. Yet I cannot.believe them; for if they are willing to commit such acts, they will falsify also.’ This was rather unexpected reasoning for us to hear, for we by no means liked the idea of being called fal-e to gratify even our folly. We did not dare receive Mrs. Evans into our con fidence, knowing she would not w illingly consent to its prolongation. So we determined if ‘worst came to worst, to make confederates of the domes' tics, rather than of our hostess. We allowed a week to pass quietly over, without molesting Tommy’s sanctum sanctorum, Longer I could not be restrained. He had gone to the city, so I took an old broom, and dressed it up in a medley costumes, hanging a cap upon the head, and pinning a shawl around it: I most dar- inglv opened his bed, and rested the tottering effi gy upon the sheet, quickly covered her up. and ran f or my very life to my room, trembling at my te merity. The next morning a 1 : breakfast, no change was observed upon the countenance of Thomas. He was the same good, obliging person as ever. Prob ably his delicacy so fa’- surpassed mine, as to pre vent his mentioning the subject to any ODe. But this did not satisfy us. Three weeks had passed away, and though he treated me with coldness, yet he was uniformly kind and polite, He was very regular in his habits, especially in his hours of retiring at night to rest, and rising at a stated season every morning. He often re marked if he did not sleep at such stated times, it was difficult for him to obtain rest at any other period, stating the hours in which sleep was such a welcome guest, fatigued as he felt, from the exer tions of the day. Therefore, thinking he could be annoyed in that way, I proposed this plan. There was a small dark closet next Mr. Fairfax’s room, usually kept locked, for his room was in the left wing of the house, ours m the centre, and the other members of the family still more remote on the left. We had procured the key of this closet, and fastened a bell there. In one side with a gim let we had made a hole, putting the cord through, by means of which we could ring the bell. This side of the closet was the back of another room, the door of which was in a different direction. After all were nicely asleep in bed. as we hoped, Emma went with me to our place of tryst. I pull ed the bell very gently at first: then gaining cour age, I rang louder and louder. Soon we heard Mr. Fairfax moving a' out in his chamber: we imagined he was dressing to come out and see what was the matter, and wbat was want ing. We now pulled the bell very violently for a moment and then left the spot,” letiring to our room, just having time to reach it, as he opened his door. We heard him go into the entry, then down stairs, and into the rooms below, and actually out of the front door, around the house, as we supposed. But all was silent within and without. In about half an hour we returned to his chamber, and lock ed the door. A long time elapsed before we dared to leave our room again; at last I ventured alone, and reaching the cord I gave the bell a powerful ring, it rang merrily enough; but I heard footsteps appro ching rapidly, and unfortunately the last vibration of the bell gave notice of its whereabouts, as Mr. Fairfax reached the entry ere it stopped, thus revealing its location. I heard him try the door of the closet, but he found it locked; and what could it mean ■ was his query. I did not know what to do with myself, but re membering the back passage round the other side of the house. I quickly returned to my room, lock ing the door, and feeling truly, my entertainment for that night was at an end.” We felt rather embarrassed, when we went to ta ble next morning, and much more so when Mr. Fairfax thus addressed Mrs. Evans: •Were you disturbed at all last night, madam; Did you hear any unusual noise in the house?’ 'No sir; to what do you refer?’ ‘Young b dies, were you not frightened? If Mrs. Evens did not hear, I think you must have heard a bell ringing near your apartment.' We all with truth, said nothing had alarmed us during the night. ‘Well, madam.' he continued, ‘I was so much an noyed. that I arose twice, and the first time did not make any discovery. The second, however, con- ii.fid there n^ver was a beli in it? it is entirely ^™Have you the keys Mrs. Evans? Permit me to go with you, and explore the premises, for I am convinced that the sound came from that quarter.’ We all laughed at the idea, and ridiculed troub ling Mrs. Evans with such folly. But she rather enjoyed Mr. Fairfax’s perplexity, and said t •> him: ‘To prove what a dreamer you have been, my dear sir, I will go with you, and these young ladies shall also be witnesses against you.’ ‘Willingly, madam: if I have not my senses, I should like to be sure of it.’ Mrs. Evans rang for a servant, sending her for a bunch of keys. We did not venture to move, and knew not how to act. She gave Mr. Fairfax the key. He led the way; then our hostess; and the girls and myself last. I found the occasion just to whisper: ‘Leave the event to me.’ Mr. Fairfax unlocked the door, and by th? aid of a lamp he carried in his hand, triumphantly pointed out the betrayer of our plot. He found the string, and saw with what contrivance we had managed to effect our plan. He turned to me sav ing: Miss Howard, belles often disagree, and become marplots to each otter. I advise vou in future to have less sound and more sense. It is to your kind ness, 1 suppose, I am indebted for a sleepless night, as well, perhaps, for many other favors. If my apartmeut seems so pleasant to you, it is at your service as well as my wardrobe, the contents of which re probably not unknown to you: but in fu ture, if you choose to find a companion for my couch, I should be pleased to consult with you be forehand. Perchance I might have a word to sa> in regard to that. Good morning, ladies, I shall not return to dinner. Remember Mrs. Evans, I did not dream of the bell, though the belle seems wrapped in a dream, now. Is it not so, Miss How ard ? Allow me to bid you a final adieu. ’ With this, Mr. Fairfax departed. He took me so bv surprise. I could not recover my power of thought at first: and Mrs. Evans looked at me in such evident amaze and perplexity, I felt nothing would do but for me to entreat her kind forgiveness and seeresy, thus making her a confident to what had occurred, yet not informing her of our future course, for fear she would be unwilling we should continue such conduct, telling her we only did these things for a little amusement, and also that I would write a note of apology to Mr. Fairfax that day. She gave us some good advice, which we really listened to, in return for her clemency as regarded us: but we cannot say at that time we fol lowed her good counsel. When Mr. Fairfax returned at night, I did not see him, but Mrs. Evans handed him my letter, or rather billet, which was as follows: ‘Can Mr. Fairfax pardon an offender, when she acknowledges her folly, and regrets the offence given? If so will he receive and”accept this con fession, and confer a favor upon Ellex C. Howard. When my note was handed to him, he retired to his own room: in the course of the evening, he re turned to the parlor where our hostess was seated alone. (We had all concluded to make ourselves in visible for that night below stairsq He 1 rought with him an answer, requesting it to be sent to me, if I were in the house. A servant brought it to my chamber. As you have heard one. vou will expect to be gralified by hearing the other also. It was this: ‘Miss Howard's apology is gratefully accepted. The past will be buried in oblivion. May the fu ture present brighter prospects for both. Mr. Fairfax now apologizes in return for his hasty speech this morning. Will Miss Howard accept his ONE OLD BACHELOR; OR, What Came of a Frolic. upon no less a personage than good Thomas him self. ‘Now, girls,’ said I, ‘as yet I am a perfect strang er to this little Fairfax; but I promise you, ere I have been in this house three months, I will make his lordship both dislike and love me—I mean at e ’ “ | first, he shall all but hate me, and then shall love nds > j me with earnestness and truth. These two oppo- ° n< r i site and antagonistic degrees of feeling, you shall I at | a n witness, and shall be my judges of the same. If less- | j ( j 0 not succeed, I will give you each a present | worthy your acceptance. If I do, you shall work ; ' ne ! me some little gift, which I will reserve for my tor | wedding paraphernalia.’ ! ‘Agreed !’ they joyfully exclaimed - ‘Anything i for a trifle of fun and excitement.’ nth, j ‘B u t, girls, remember this plan is a secret: no one . i must betray me, or seem to notice in any way that iecl ” there is a league between us.’ ar, o ‘Certainly not; for we are all accessory to the l °'Y> plot in thus countenancing its commencement, and tlus aiding its denouement.’ id ‘When shall I behold my Lord Thomas V I asked, lope ‘A.t breakfast, to-morrow, I shall introduce you was to him, Ellen.’ eed- | ‘Thank you. Please wait until the meal is over, j and w - e are less observed, for i must have a good ^ j beginning.’ hud ■ The morrow arrived. After we had breakfast- -the e< T I walked into the front parlor with Emma, n as j while Julia remained with Mr. Fairfax and the J others in the dining-hall. the | ‘Miss Julia, said Thomas, ‘who was that young de"! ; lady ac the table? You called her by her Christian "tty | name, sol was unable to judge whom she might tiia- j t )e But she is verv pretty.’ we | ‘Her nalne j s Howard—Ellen Cecilia Howard. ° a d. i Shall 1 introduce you?’ s an i ‘It woulu give me much pleasure. What v pret- nue \ : ty name she has, as well as face.’ >r °f Julia came toward us in the parlor—and there I :zza, j stood, perfectly unconscious of course. She made some passing remark to me, and then introduced— full j <Mr. Thomas Fairfax.’ He bowed. I just bowed rons ; my head in return, and actually laughing, stared an y | at him as a wonder, a sort of unguessable article, ; m ® j bearing somewhat the form of humanity, hfid | He seemed surprised, confused, as if unable to 'P° n ; make a remark. He ventured, however a word or j two. olIS- ; ‘Lovely weather for the winter season. Miss How ard ar( j. I fear you will miss the winter gaieties of the real j c jty in our little village, but—’ i his j T here interrupted him. giving him full vei.t to iort. m y idea, of the ridiculous, by laughing loudly, and the running hastily from the room, up stairs. I could ’em , no t control my risibles, even had I wished to. was ! After I left, he looked at Julia a moment, and f° r j then said: a P ■ I ‘Is she perfectly sane! What is the matter with aver , her?’ c °l~ I Julia assured him my sanity had never been tbe doubted, but I was a strange girl, was I next met him at dinner. Every time he spoke men in favor of anything. I immediately spoke against l llY- it. Everything I said, was in opposition to senti- lave ments he had expressed. He did not address me at i' of a ll, but seemed to look upon me in fear. I suppose nth, i must have appeared so rude and uncultivated to eeth him. that he thought it useless to attempt another •cky conversation, after that of the morning, you Several days passed on in this manner. Thomas > be- was a most orderly little being, always picking pro- up stray pins and needles from the floor—a bache- ance lor trick, by the way—putting them upon his coat d do sleeve, to convey them to his chamber, where they urith were deposited upon a huge green moreen cushion, was the gift of some aunt, of course a maiden, who pit- face ied from sympathy, his forlcrn condition, through ard, , her own sad experience. One day, when he v- as absent from home, I sity. strewed the pins and needles from the cushion, all lines f around the floor of the chamber, in most pointed •ent- confusion. Thomas returned, and when he came [uite to tea, we all expected to see some signs of disturb- easy ance on his countenance, but none were visible. With this I grew bolder, character On his absence, I turned all the garments in his is through wardrobe inside out, pockets and all. those who The next day he mentioned to his hostess that and him. some person had taken improper liberties in his e exterior apartment. He should prefer not to have anything / INSTINCT PRINT