Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-09-17
$ elect Tales.
A YOUNG WIFE.
BY THE AUTHOR OF THE MARRIAGE OF CoNyENIENC
CHAPTER l.
And she shall walk in silken tire
Al lilo. hon 70 on,ro Ccott;ob Co,,o.o

reply u SOuC QutSllOll NlllCu Inc IOTIU6T Nae
made to his friend touching the accomplishment
Of his bride elect. No, no. you will find Mis-:
Vivian very different probably from what yor
expect. Men at my age, who know the world
know that talents and accomplishments are not
the first qualities to seek in wife Freshness
OF heart and mind, naiUctc and disinterestedness
are the charms that we prize as we grow older,
for they alone, springng from the heart, can IN
sure us happiness No, you will not find Miss
Vivian accomplished to any high degree Her
extreme youth precludes that But what music
or language can equal the melody and eloquence
that speak in young voice fresh from warm
heart OF dlsinterested affection, one can feel
sure in creature so young; and the pleasure of
of cultivating a heart and mind all your own, of
feeling that every flower that springs there is of
your own planting, is worth more to my taste
than the utmost perfection of requirements ready
made to the hand
Mr.. Lowndes, who was also mature in the
worlds ways, was somewhat amused at his
friends warmth, while he smiled as he thought
of the dsinterestedness that leads sixteen to wed
with forty-two, and he said,
The lady is beautiful, no doubt For with
all your phiosophic knowledge of the world,
Gilmer, doubt whether you would appreciate so
highly the charms of youthful mind were
they not united to the loneliness of youthful
person.
Gmer replied with smile.
Il think you will find she does credit to my
taste You must let me introduce you and
the friends having agreed to call at Mrs. Vivi-
ans for that purpose in the evening, separated;
Gilmer plying Lowndes' fororn state as an old
bachelor, while Lowndes could not but be anu
sed to see his friend so enthusiastic in folly he
had often ridiculed in others.
Mr.. Gilmer, at forty-two, knew the world as
he said and what is more the world knew him;
and having run gay career, to settle in grave
and polished middle age, he would now renew
life, and start aresh for the goal of happiness
deeming himself, old wording that he was
fit match for bright sixteen, and a natural re-
cipient for the FIST warm affections of that hap
Ply age.
But is time to be SO cheated? Let us see.
Look ? cried the little bride elect, is not
this beautiful, showing her mother an exquisite
cadeau from her lover. Oh, mamma added
she clasping her little hands in an ecstasy, how
- he will dress one!
Eyes, my love, said her mother tenderly, 6 it
is beautiful indeed How very attentive and
kind in Mr.. Gilmer to remember that passing
wish of yours
Oh yes and what perfect taste too he has,
oontnuoI tbo Iittlo I,J, o,,Jo,t1,,
intent upon her present than her lover; and so
she flew to her aunt to show the rich present she
had just received, Miss Lawrence, younger
sister of her mother, who resided with them,
had been absent when this engagement took place;
and having examined and admired the jewel to
the satisfaction of her niece said,
am quite anxious to see this Mr.. Gilmcr Of
yours, Charlotte
Are you? Well, he will be here this evening,
| suppose; and dare say you will like him.
He likes all those sensible dull books that
you and mamma are so fond Of He'll Just suit
you
hope, replied her aunt, smiling, he suits
you too
Yes she answered, with little hesitation
'only he is too grave and sensible; but then
he's old, you know, she added with a serious
look
odd replied Miss Lawrence 'what do you
call oIdp
Oh, don't know; thirty or forty, or fifty,
don't know exactly; but he must be quite as old
as mamma, may be older; but added she, with
more animation, Il shall have the pretiest
phaeton, with the dearest little pair of black
ponies you ever saw, just to drive when shop,
you know, and an elegant chariot to day visits;
and mean to give so many parties and a fancy
ball regularly every winter and she continued
dwelling on her anticipated gaities to the utter
exclusion, IN all her plans, of husband or lover,
to the surprise and amusement, not unmiXed
with anxiety, Of her aunt, who soon began to
perceive that her nece's young brain was dizzy
with the prospect of splendors and gaietles that
her mothers limited income denied her, while
her heart was as untouched by any deeper emo
ton as one might naturally have expected from
her Joyous unthnking, careless age. She was
dazzled by Mr.. Gilmer's fortune and laltered
by his attentions, for he was distinguc in socie-
ty; but love she deemed out of the question with
man as old as her mother; and she was right.
1t was out Of the question with girl young e.
nough to be his daughter; for however age may
admire youth, there is nothing captivating to
youth in age. His fine mind cultivated tastes
and elegant manners were lost upon one whose
youth and ignorance precluded her approaching
qualities she did not comprehend; and she only
hooked forward Ia her mariana ne tho first act
in brilliant drama in which she was to play the
principal part
Are you quite satisfied, sister, with this en-
gagement of Charlctte's?' asked Miss Lawrence
with some anxiety.
Perfectly replied Mrs. Vivian more thar
satisfied Mr.. Gilmers fortune and station ar
all could ask. He is a man of sense and
gentleman. What more could desirel'
He is that certainly replied her sister, 'br