Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1837-07-06
rIan rAls rosT Q -RICE.
Ftsn 8. B.llin.,. Ttsn.gIp..

Ffem As Baliirsyvs TTsa'sriPf.
There's letter in the Post Office
for YOU. SIR said pretty liltlc gil TO
Mr.. Cbristopher Coot bachelor. the
shady side OF forty, as he stood before
a Confectionery stand At a recent fair,
smacking his lips at splendid candied
pyramid, and iuUbling about bis peck
et for an old bali dollar.
"A letter for me 7 sud he with look
Of surprise.
Yes. sir, by Express Mail. Your
name Is Mr.. Christopher Cooi, isn't II
sir"
'Yes-yes-my names Christopher
Coot. but how the devil cOuldt they have
letter for me =
La, sir-don't swear. Go ask the
Post Mistress, she tell you all about IT.
Mr.. Coot made his way with some
difficulty 10 the Post Office, and with
aProfound bow asked the fair dealer
in letters whether what the little girl
had told him was true.
Yes, SIR, true 90 LETTER. Let me
see--here's one for Mr.. Jonas Qnigy-
ing-thats not you-and here is-yes,
this Is the very one. double letter.
per Express Mail, directed TO Chnsto-
pheF Observation-Disclosures.
'Humph = exclaimed MIR. Coot. turn
ing the letter over and over. and bend
insi 1t slightly so IS 10 gain peep at
the interior. It's very strange, who
could have written TO me How much
IS the postage. Miss ?
Only quarter. sir-very mode
rate
Moderate however will
pay It more for your sake than for the
qualification Of my own curiosity.
MIR. Coot put down the money. and
with some slight display of agitation,
made his way out OF the room, With
the letter crumpled mp in his hand,
while the most casual observer might
have detected the laughing devil in
one half the pretty spaFkleS that made
the room terrestrial galaxy.
Mr.. Coot was not long in finding his
way 10 hIs lodgings-solitary enough
indeed. for what bachelors dwelling is
not solitary He seiied himself at
his table, drew out his gold mounted
spectacles, hummed q popular air or
two. and then, as IL snspecting that the
praying Abigail Of the house might OBJ
trude and break the charm Of his me-
ditations. he softly bolted the door, and
again seated himself before The sealed
epistle. The letter was at length
opened, and his eyes eagerly traced
the following lines:
haze frer,tt--tIv a.sr -, -.
the street-your person and bearing have
pleased mo. Excuse this method Of introduce
iGg myself, but II you would know more of
me, statioo yourself at the gate OF the eastern
fountain this evening al o'c.Jek.
Yours devotedly. ELIzABETH.
To Christopher COot, Esq.
P. 8. Please Lean on the gate that I may
know you.
Mr.. Coot pondered and pondered
he thought over oil HE past loves from
bloomy fifteen up TO the present date;
he brought TO mind all the hours that
had fitted before his vision during the
past six months. He remembered a
fair creature who passed him twice
several days before in Baltimore street;
both times he caught her glance, and
both times has vanity led him to believe
that it expressed Something undeGna-
BILE. He determined to fathom the
mystery; this Elizabeth might be an
beiress; accomplished beautiful the
load-Sione Of the bon-ton, who had de-
yised this romantic method Of leading
him 10 his good fortune. He awaited
the hour with as much patience as a
bachelor Of forty-fve Is master Of; be-
fore seven he had kicked four cats
down stairs, upset globe Of gold fish
Is, rated Abigail soundly for her tardl-
ness, smoked ten cIgars, read fif.y pa
ges Of 'Celebs in search Of a wife
without knowing a word Of their con.
tents, and beat the back Of his favorite
spaniel into Jelly.
AZ tea he upset the Urn, ate a quarter OF
shad, bones and all, took salt Tor sugsr, and
twelve times repeated the question to Mrs
Crimp, whether her clock was no. unusually
slowi
The sluggish meal over, be was OF 10 a tan
gesi, newly rugged and perfumed from head
70 foot. AT quarter before eight, be ap.
proacbed The gate Of the Eastern Fountain
the lamp was burning dihly over the bubblnr
strosts, and not . soul appeared 10 be near u
mar bis anticipated Interview with the beauti
sal unknown. a. Alas Tor the frailty Of hope.
AZ be approached The gale he perceived a
stranger wrapped IN spanish cloak, leaning
upon a. Bs walked 90 the gate snd very DO.
ideiy requested ths man 70 ict him pass into
tho enclosure. The stranger nodded and
opened The gate, again resumhg hiss leaning
posture after SIR. C0ot bad passsi through. A
short walk 70 and fFo--s mgsthfuli % a. o 81
che cooling baVerags-a short gianco at the
starr. and another At bis watch, occupied our
hero for about q quarter Of an hour. The
distant knel of the town clock told ths hour
Of elght-and no fsr iaeog could bo seen in
ihe dim mist Ne. Co0l began 10 be impa-
uent--hov 70 gain possession Of the gate be
could net imagnoi the stranger mast be placed
aside, o. he might BE- taken for The real simon
Pure. Hs walked W and down with hurried
strides, apparently % the 20 sual annoyanes
q ihe stranger, wbe appeared 70 be counting
he steps with as rauch regularity a. a cuiprit
would The tick Of che secondhand 81 a clock
ca tho last bud ~ his existence
Ihe crisis approaehed--a bali hour passed
--iihe two caicullling generals, The parties
sept a. By, occasionally using little hy-piay