Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-03-17
fWHoLE No. 623

culinary skill Of Mrs. Wallace, though
with slender means, had accomplished
wonders. The evidences Of good taste
which the table displayed, were not lost
on the person they were intended to
impress, nor did the well-timed hints OF
Mrs. Wallace, that Mary was the NOV
ing cause in all household affairs, fail
TO produce their desired effect. Never
did the Roman epicure feast OH his rare
and costly dish ofostrich's tongues with
delight more exquisite than did Stanley
on the cakes Of home manufacture,
swcetmeats, compounded doubtless by
the same fair hands which now dispcn-
sed the most fragrant tea and delicious
coffee, together with the various ctceto-
ras Of modern tea-table. Music and
conversation succeeded, and that even
ing completed Mary's conquest over
the heart Of Stanley Lennard. The
following letter, written the next morn
ing to his partner in business, will
show how just an estimate he had form
ed of her character, whom he bad
chosen from all others 10 be his "help-
meet"
Dear Frank-You will think me
sadly negligent, but positively for the
last two weeks have not found mo-
ment to devote to writing. Business
first and pleasure afterwards, accord
ing to the maxim ofmy good old uncle.
My business, as you know, was very
pressing, and my pleasure, as you do
not know, has been SO absorbing that
"time on fairy wings has hown'
have purchased n large quantity Of
goods or the best terms. | have re-
Imcmbcred and executed the thousand.
old maidish- i beg pardon-old bache-
lorsh commissions which you imposed
on my good nature, and now as re-
ward for my labour, have a favour to
beg of you. Will you purchase for mo
the house we have SO often admired
mean the one fronting the river, with
colonnade and portico, nearly hidden
by large old sycamores. 'Ab, hu "
you exclaimed, my friend Stanley is
caught at last !" Yes, Frank, fairly
caught. Even my fastidious notions,
as you used to call them, have been
realized | believe | have found the
perfection Of female excellence. a
most lover-like originality Of course
you will say but don't laugh Frank
| expect soon to sec you dying of envy.
As to her beauty shall leave you to
chew the cud curiosity till you see her;
but to understand her many excellent
qualities, and the various accomplish
ments OF which she is mistress, you
should sec her as have done--at home.
OF her taste and requirements in litera-
,ture, her fathers well-chosen library
bears witness Of her skill in all house
wiely knowledge,I have ample proof;
while her respectful attention TO tho
best Of mothers, and the neot appear
ancc Of her younger brothers and sis
tiers, shows that she is kind-hcartcd
and Industrious. Is she not treasurer
You know could not afford TO marry
n merely fashionable lady, for my in
come, though steadily increasing, is
not so large as to preclude the neccs-
sily Of prudcnce and good manage
ment, and no one can take an interest
in these matters like wife. | will
say no more. | hope in few weeks
to introduce her to you, not to Mary
Wallace, but to Mary Lennard."
While the bigh-minded, honorable,
excellent young man was indulging in
The glowing dreams Of love which
clothes its object with all perfect a,iri-
butes, was there no one 10 whisper in his
ear that the goddess Of his newly a
wnkened idolairy was not call his fancy
painted herW How could be know,
that after listening TO the ouipourings Of
affection which can only come from
truly noble heart after replying with
blushing cheek and downcasi eye to the
impassioncd words iba: besought her 10
bless him after bidding him good d-nigbi,
in voice which sounded like the music
Of Paradise Inc intellectual young lady,
the kind, consderate daughter, had ts-
ken a novel, and passing through the
room where the poor, patient mother sat
rocking the cradle, and "wasiing tho
midnight oil'' over the work, which but
Tor her would have been finished hours
beforehand asking in y peevish tone, if
her best stockings would be ready for