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Blanche Milum's New Year

This continues the series of poems and short stories taken from Ailenroc’s Book, by Cornelia Alexander

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Of all the beautiful, accomplished young ladies who brightened by their presence the town of Greenville, Blanche Milum reigned the acknowledged belle, by right of birth and breeding; and, joined to these, she was the lucky owner of an almost perfect face; a graceful, supple figure; and the most winning, charming manners.

It was the last day of the year, and she stood upon the hearth rug looking with satisfied eyes upon the adornings of her parlor, and chatting busily with her aunt, a middle-aged widow lady, who was visiting Mr. Milum’s family.

“Auntie, dear,” said Blanche, gayly, “I fear that you do not approve of my arrangements for the morrow. If not, speak out and let me know if you think I have done amiss.”

“I have not expressed any dissatisfaction,” said her aunt, smiling gravely. “It is not my place to find fault with you or your home; still—” Read More

The Church Bell

Ailenroc's Book

A Sabbath morning so calm and still
The wind scarce wakens the sleeping flowers,
While lazily, daintily, sipping their sweets
The honeybees rifle the odorous bowers;
And the birds in the branches are as mute
And still as the chords of a broken lute.

Half hidden in vines a farmhouse stands
In peace and quiet this summer morn;
Around it stretch the fruitful lands,
Where stream the banners of growing corn,
And from its window looks forth a face
That adds a charm to the dear old place— Read More

Ailenroc’s Book

ailenrocA few years back, my sister and I were looking through some of our grandmother’s books in a back bedroom when we came across one with a curious title. The words Ailenroc’s Book grabbed our attention, and as we gingerly opened the frail green volume we soon discovered who Ailenroc was. She wrote in the short preface “I do not think I shall live to see [this book] out, but I want to bespeak for it a kind reception. Of faults it has many; but I am sure they are not of the heart, and it is a pleasure to me to think that I have written nothing that can do harm.” Ailenroc, or more properly, Cornelia Alexander, was an elderly Christian lady of Alabama. Read More