MY MIRROR.

Western Star, Issue 945, 6 May 1885, Page 2

MY MIRROR.

[Br Quim.] " Would you now ? I dare you!" While these words were being said my continued rap-rap-rap at the door passed unheeded, being evidently smothered by a rustle ending in a smack and an '.'oh! '|> whefil again used my knuckles, thjs time; to) hear; :£ C#ai&< of masculine heels' inake tracks down the hall, while the door opened showing the blushing cheeks and more ruddy, lately kisse#lipsv o f!i Nelly Fitz.. "Oh, Ido say and declare, and what's more, for I am sure of it," and she lifted her pinny and wiped/heh lips as if to efface the trace of the theft, and continued, you must have and did hear the row that// noisy Willie Vent was making: ' rehired him, and he did it. Do I look flushed, Mr Quill» Oh you comic eyed old man,?' and "with this remark I find the index finger of her left hand go direct into the. cavity loft by the ex- i, traction of the Mother Eve rib; while her good natured face is turned up to mine as she clings to my arm with the hand she didn't poke me with. "How's Mother. Nelly?" " Well, Mr Quill » "And the rest of the family ? " " Grund, sir, grand! Take ' your own seat over, there,- sirj;c ;I; will iVtother." ■ Taking my seat in a 'cqmforjtoblel.l easy suiting arm chair', I am in five minutes required to be up and doing a regular; rojjnd of hand shakings. Once niore seated, a familiar tone is indulged itiall round. "Tea's oh the tible mother," comes up the hall/and on answering the summons we are in the . dining room in the presence of'" our " livery ■ Nelly, and in front of a-tempting array of sweet niceties, all of which Nelly baked and arranged. , " That's the, culprit, Mr Quill," and I turned to see Willie Vent with a blush - on his cheek, ; bub his manly bright eyes looking straight into mine as | cordially shake hands with him, and exchanged the usual stereotyped greetings-, ,tfelly ,sayg_ grace; silence reigns,! as it ought at all weff bred tables, and tea is in due course over- . when we ; allj but: one adjourn 1 -to 4he'sittiHg ,, "' i room; Nelly remains behind to see that tho servant rightly attends to sbme instructions just received. Half an hour later Nelly joins us; and happiness; reigns for. the irest'bf -'tna evening.' I speak of stocks and consols of markets and produce, of the leading events of j the day, and find that, military.,.ajßd nt .'j naval together' with' these* matters are all! thoroughly understood by :the manly Willie Vent. I look toward Nelly, ans can see the satisfied ■ glitter 'in''her bright womanly eyes. We turn to the subjects music, painting and books. .In all these branches Nelly Pitz shows a I tower' * * above the average woman in knowledge. The glitter is now seen in Willie's eye as Nelly finishes with a mild satire on woman's dress. Since the events detailed Nelly has become Mrs Vent, and as I visit Mr Vent's everf"\ happy home 1 can remember'Nelly, a little 1 ./ one at my knee, now with little ones round her own. Still the same Nelly, bright in idea and prompt in.the execution of truthful ideas for the .benefit of her world—her'husband and family. Nelly Pitz .was one of the few—alas, very few—sober-minded colonial girls that took the part of .a widowed mother and did battle for a host of younger brothers and sisters, and is now with a knowledge, the outcome of kindness and honesty, in a position to vie with anyone in New Zealand. Mr _V„pnt draws a large salary from, our Govern. « meht, and deserves to. \ Nelly shares it wifn him. But it does not all go in oVess .an<j/oni the breakfast,dinner and supper-tables., No, no, as Nelly and Willy were brought up in strict comfort, they do not believe, in' having I. to restrict one part of their economy to satisfy another. Everything ini the life-61 C T these two models is disciplined; a happier "r pair I know not; a more genteel lady it would be hard to find than Mrs' Vect. None"- ° of the gaudy, ribbony, puffed. and plaited !»i1 milliner-mongery about the tall' ladylike',. Nelly. She is not by any means vain of ntr ' : ' appearance. No, the modesty; that; William' 'Ativi Vent found in her before her marriage,, has. ;•„„ grown into a womanly development' of::-■■■' nature's untarnished grace.;. To young' men'I''* 1 ''* about to marry, I say look out for such an

one as the Nelly I write about." If you can* not find just the same ..take the;invest, 9D*ok iproach to it. Wed nature, young man, wed nature!. If you wed a milliner-'made'ybung'''' woman, you'll find her always wantingtq be; run on to the stocks for outside plating. Nature only requires one change,of dress in the year. Look out for a woman that, will be satisfied with the same, and'you will tiara something to the good against a rainy day.