Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1838-04-26

BOW TO MAKE A YOUNG WIFE or
An OLD MAID.


The following true story might per.
haps iurnish matter for . little comedy.
1t eomsd'ss ~ere s,ill written in Eng
land.
tbs generally the case that the more
beautiful and the richer young femsle
is,the more ditiicalt are both her parents
and herself IN the choice of husband.
and the moro Oilers they refuse. The
= one 10 too tall. ihe other too short. this
not wealthy, that not respectable
enough. Meanwhile one spring pass-
es alter another. and year AFTER year
carries away leaf after leaf ofthe bloom
Of youth, and opportunity after oppor.
tnnity. Miss Harriet Selwood was
the richest heircss OF her native town;
bit she had already completed her
twsniy-seventh year. aud beheld al.
most all her young friends united 10
men whom she had ut one time or other
discarded. Harriet began 10 be set
doSn for an old maid. Her parents
became really uneasy, aud she herself
iamenlcd in private position which
IS not natural one, and To which
those 10 whom Nature and Fortune
have been niggardly OF their gifts are
ooiiged TO submit; but Harriet, as we
have said. was both handsome and
very rich.
Such was The state OF things when
her uocle. a wealthy merchant in the
north OF England. came on visit 10
her parents. He was jovial. lively,
straightforward man. accustomed 10 al.
tack all difficulties boldly and coolly.
You see, said her father 10 him one
day, Harriet continues sing,e.-The
S'tl Is hand3one; what she is 10 have
Tor her fortune you know; even in this
scandsl-lovips town not a creature can
breathe the slightest imputation against
her, and yet she is getting to be an old
maid"
True. replied the uncle; "but look
you. brother. the grand point in every
affair in this world ia to seize The RICH,
moment; this you have not done; III a
misfortune; but let the girl go along
With me. and before the end of three
months l will return her TO you es the
wi.e OF man as young aud as wealthy
rs herself.
Away went the niece wish her un.
Gle. On tho way home be thus address
sed hcr:-"AIind what ! am going 10
say. You are no longer Mics Selwood.
but Mrs. Lumley. my niece. young,
wealthy, childless widow; you had the
misfortune to lose your husband. Col.
Lnmley. afters happy union Of a quar-.
ter OF year BY fall from his horse
while hunting"
Let me manage, IL you please. Mira.
Lnm!ey.-Your father has invested me
with full powers. Here, look you, is
The wedding ring given you by your
late husband. Jewels and whatever else
yoa need your aunt will supply YOU
with, snd a:castom yourself 10 cast
down your eyes"
The keen.witied uncle introduced
his niece everywhere, aud everywhere
the young widow excited a great sensa-
ton. The gentlemen ihronsed about
her, and she soon had The choice out
oI twenty suitorj. Her uncle advised !
her TO accept the one that was deepest
IN love with her, and a rare chance
decreed that this should be precisely the |
'"|Sa aH'aOic anu oDuifDts ne match 4
was soon concluded, and one day the |
uncle desired to say few words 10 his
future nephew in private.
MY dear sir" be began, I'VE have
told vou an un,rnth."
How 500 Are Mrs. Lumley'' SfTec-
tio1S-"
Nothing Of the kind: my niece is |
sincerely attached to you"
"Then.her fortune. suppose, is not |
equal 10 what you tod me; 20
"On the contrary. it is larger"
We'll, what is the matter, then ?"
"a joke. an innocent joke, which |
came in'O my head one day, when
was in a good humour: Wa would not
recall Il afterwards. Ny niece is not |
a widow"
What is Colonel Lumley living"
No. no. she is a spinsler."
The lover protested that he was
happier fellow than he had ever con.
Eileted himself; and the old maid as
forthwith meiamorphosed into young
wife.
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