Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 November 1881 — A FAIR SHEPHERDESS. [ARTICLE]

A FAIR SHEPHERDESS.

From a Home of Luxury in Philadelphia to the Hardships of Texas Farm Life. San Antonia Express. A reporter of the Express learned from a Mr. James Holt, of Concho, the particulars of a history that properly aandled would make the web and woof of as romantic a novel as was ever written. It is the story of a beautiful girl who voluntarily leaves all the luxuries and elegances of a beautiful home in Philadelphia, to follow a lover to the wilds of Texas. Blanche Thomas was the only daughter of wealthy and fond parents, who lavished upon her all that wealth could purchase. A graduate of a celebrated seminary, naturally bright and vivacious, and with a beauty matchless in its loveliness, she became without an effort a society belle. Her dresses from Worth, her equipages, her brownstone house on Chestnut street, were the envy of many and the admiration of not a few. Her father took her with him to Pari?, where she soon became

the rage in the American colony there*' and her toilets were described at length in La Minerva and Figaro. Many admirers had inspired to her hand—many wealthy nobleman had offered themselves in marriage, but all in vain. She was the the theme of conversation alike in the salon and the case, and while all admired her many charms, she was considered cold and heartless, Her parents*at last became vexed at her continued refusal of such splendid offers, and did all in their power to make her marry a wealthy English Baronet, but without avail. When pressed by her father for an explanation of her strange conduct, she reluctantly acknowledged she was in love and'had been since her childhood,with the son of the manager of her father’s coal mines in Pittsburg. This so enraged her father that he forbade her even to mention the young man’s name again, and unthinkingly told her she must select some eligible parti within six months, or cease to be his daughter. Thinking him to be in earnest, and knowing him to be a man of his word, the poor girl packed up a a few clothes, and, taking what money she had in her purse at the time, took passage on an outward bound steamer for New York. Arriving there she telegraphed to her lover in Pittsburg, who did not even stop to change ids mining clothes, so afraid was he that be would miss the fast express that was

There was a quiet little marriage at Grace Church the next day, ana the spoiled child of fortune was the wife of a brawny, muscular miner. But the question now arose, w I were they to do, for she had no money and what little he had would not last long, as he had sacrificed his position in the mines when marrying her. After much thought and a great amount of planning, it was decided to come to Texas, and here build for themselves a home. He pre-empted and purchased land and sheep in Taylor county, built a house of two small

rooms, and while she cooked, washed and attended to the humble avocation of household drudgery, he looked after the sheep and cultivated a few acres of land. No thoughts of past splen lor came to disturb her calm tranquility and perfect happiness, but every day seemed to be fuller of pleasure thdn the last, and their happiness was as deep and eternal as the occult skies above. Their very isolation them closer together,and strengthened a love that was eternal.

A year of quiet but perfect happiness passed by, when the husband broke his leg, and the work of watching the sheep devolved upon bis wife. Nursing her sick husband and looking after the outdoor department took up most of her time. . But oue afternoon, as. she was walking toward the house in her simple country dress, a party of gentlemen rode up, and one of them was her father, who had been searching for his daughter since her departure from Paris. Hearing of her marriage in New York.be bitterly repented his hasty words, and had followed her to Texas. Calm reflection had taught him that hers bad, after all, been the better choice, and he was only too glad to reoegnize in her husband a son-in-law. He persuaded them to give up their home in Texas for a time, and return with him to Philadelphia.