Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 10.djvu/95

 Ethel Freeman.

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��Adam Diinhip, John McCoy, David Qniiitin, and William McKeen.

So the record might be swelled wiUi the names of our soldiers, their valor, and the war legislation of the town ; but the want of space forbids, and all these will be found in the full •'History of Windham, N. H.," de- voted to such details.

��Suffice it to say that the record of our soldiers was valiant ; the legisla- tion of the town pr(5mpt, energetic, and patriotic ; the enthusiasm and self-sacriflce of our people, under all the privations of war, were worthy of all honor.

��ETHEL FREEMAN:

T//e Story of a Alarriage that proved a Mistake. By Ellex M. Mason.

��I.

"No, father, I do not want Ethel to marry George Freeman. There is too much difference in their ages, in the first place. He is fifteen years older than she is in years, and twen- ty-five in knowledge of the wicked- ness of the world, hardening of the heart, and loss of the enjoyment of things innocent and simple that belong to youth, to those of Ethel's age. Then he is tyrannical and over- bearing in disposition, and he is fickle like the whole of them. There never was a Freeman you could rely on !" and Mrs. Reed's white curls and pur- ple cap-ribbons fluttered more and more disapprovingly as she went on.

••But you look only at the senti- mental side of the question," said Ethel's father, a stout, handsome gentleman, whose calm manners and deliberate utterances were in decided contrast to his wife's impulsive ways. "George Freeman is rich; he can give Ethel a comfortable home, and she need never want for anything. He sowed his wild oats long ago, —

��a large enough crop to last his life- time, — and is ready now to settle down, a sober, contented husband. Then Ethel is in love with him, and he is in love with her. Could there be a clearer case? Do be reasonable now, and don't let your romantic notions run away with you !"

" Ethel is very 3'oung. If she cares for him, better for her to suffer a lit- tle now than to be wretched a life- time. For she would be wretched. His love for her is only a fancy, that would pass away just as surely if she married him as though she did not. ' Like father, like son.' George Freeman is inconstant and treacher- ous, as his father was before him," said the lady, and a faint blush rose over her faded cheeks, and a pained look came into her eyes as she spoke.

Mrs. Reed's youth had been dark- ened by the faithlessness of the father of the man who was the subject of their conversation. At middle age she had married her husband, and they had been very happy together. His calm, sure aft'ection, which if it

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