Lincoln telegraph., 1838-05-03
MISC { Ii AEEoUS.

How 10 MAKE YOUNG WIFE OF AN
OLD MAID.-The following true story might
perhaps furnish matter fora little comedy,
if comedies were still written in England.
Ii is generally the case that the more
beautiful and the richer young female is,
The more difficult are both her parents and
herself in the choice of husband, and the
more offers they refuse. This one is too
tall, the other too short, this not wealthy,
this not respectable enough. Meanwhile
one spring passes after another, and year
afteI year carries away leaf after leaf ofthe
bloom ofyouth and opportunity after oppor-
tunity. Miss Harriet Sclwood was the
richest hciress in her native town; but she
had already completed her twenty-sey enth
year, and beheld, almost all her yorng
friends united to men whom she had at one
time or other discarded. Her parents be-
came really uneasy, and she lamented in
private position which is not natural one
and to which those to whom Nature and
Fortune had been nigeardIy of their gifts
are obliged to submit; but Harriet, as we
have said, was both handsome and very
rich
Such was the state ofthngs, when her
uncle Il wealthy merchant in the north OF
England, came on visit to her parents.
He was iovial, lively, straight forward
man, accustomed to attack all difficulties
boldly and coolly. You see, said her fa-
ther to him one day, Harriet continues
single. The girl is handsome; what she
is to have for her fortune you know; even
in this scandal-loving town not creature
can breathe the slightest imputa,ion against
her; and yet she is getting to be an old
maid
True replied the uncle; but look you,
brother, the grand point n- every affair In
this world, is to seize the right moment:
this you have not done; it is misfortune,
but let the girl go along with me ,and before
the end of three months will return her
to you as the wife of a man as young and
wealthy as herself.
Away went the niece with the uncle. On
the way home he thus addressed her:
Mind what am going to say. You are no
longer Miss Selwood, but Mrs. Lumley,
my niece, young, wealthy, childless wild
ow; you had the misfortune to lose your
husband; Col Lumley, after a happy un-
ion of quarter of a year, by fall from his
horse while hunting.
But uncle
Let me manage, if you please, Mrs.
Lumley. Your father has invested me
with full powers.--Here, look you, is the
wedding ring given you by your late hus-
band Jewels and whatever else you
need, your aunt will supply you with,
and accustom yourself to cast down yoar
eyes. @
The keen witted uncle introduced. his
niece everywhere, and everywhere the
yonng widow excited a great sensation
The gentlemen thronged about her, and
she soon had her choice out of twenty sui
tors. Her uncle advised her to accept the
one who was deepest in love with her, and
a rare chance decreed that this should be
the most amiable and opulent The match
was soon concluded and one day the uncle
desired to say few words to his future
nephew in private.
MY dear sir he began, I'VE have told
YOU an untruth.
How SOP Are Mrs. Lumley's afiec-
TONS
Nothing of the kind; my niece is sincere
ly attached toyou.'
Then her fortune, suppose, is not equal
to what you told me.
'On the contrary it is larger
well what is the matter, then"