Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1847-05-25
SCELE "A. y 4. q q =
CHOOSING A WIFE
ny A IADY .

,.,,e, she was compelled TO do for there as
,,rae family OF them. Ny aunt being un"O'o
RI 10 keep more than one servant anu ny
ri, bs;,o the eldest. good deal OF IA
sb,re This she did not much
- hu, .lyavs performed it cheer!uiiy ana
III oolv taking care that it should ho' %
,o her acquintance, fearing, II II
800 she should lose the respect ana consineFa-
,;on her superior address ana accohp''aA'i'eA
,ybe,e ensured her; and as she was at All
.oes seen dressed like Il lady, ana never al d'is
..,;oo more useful than knitting, hnotting;
ars,sd work, no one suspected her OF beng
II. - do what she really did. cannot say She
was without lovers, for she was un'VeTsaliy ao-
m;red and sought; but somehow me young "''h
...med unanimously to set her down for inc
lady and she had completed her twenty second
GEAR without having had an offer. Her com
,orions all marveIled that she should remain
s,rls so long; and I, among the rest thought it
,.rv odd that though there often an actual
.ontention for her and at a bail one wished
10 secure her as partner for life
Among our inmates was a gentleman, distant
IL relet,d to nv husband, who | had often sas-
pected greatly admired my cousin Ellen, but
still he made no proposal BY mere chance
sscertained that she regarded him with feelings
more favorable than she had ever entertained Tor
another; and the match seemed so suitable
resolved TO find out what kept them apart a
long tete- a-tete had one evening with the gen
teman favored my design. After conversing
fer a time on various subjects, we began to talk
Of our female acquaintances, hand in order to dis
arm suspicion, purposely avoided mentioning
EIen's name.
.It's unaccountabe to me, Fhiip,' sad J.
CHAT YOU don't begin to look out fora wife; You
know what an advocate am for matrimony, and
positively If you become old bachelor, I'll
cut your acquaintance altogether
al have no such intention, assure you an
swered Philip, land, to speak the truth have
bssn seeking a W ife for "A long time past
.Indeed. and are you impressed with the
,,ea Of your own exceiencics, that you cannot
end woman worthy of vou?'' asked
roo So" replied Philip; ''but fear the wo
man | am most charmed with Is not AT wife for
me. ! cannot marry a mere fine lady, and yet
require an accomplished oman. Ny wite
must be cultivated and refined, aud should Ike
that she possessed personal charms; many such
women have known; but then she must DO
amiabl. and, though quite at home in the draw
ROOM she must also understand the details OF
house keeping. and be competent TO manage
family to direct her servants, and to take the
servants place. If need be-
"Whv, il is u rara avis, indeed, that You
qure,'' said /, laughing; Il admire your mod
esty, Young gentleman, | must confess; and,
supposng you ere 10 find such a phGnix, what,
may l ask, do You propose an equivalent or.
you imagine your pretty person, the pri-
81, r baa and m.<inu the
most OF your income. would constitute fair
change! What could you offer to induce such a
rare piece Of perfection accept YOU for her
lord and master2'
..Wlat could l oTtr2'' returned Philip, with
warmth; s.yvhv, would offer myself, not, mind
YOU, after the fashion OF too many Young men of
the present day. | would bind myself to her,
body and soul. For such a woman would toll
like a slave, if it were necessary for such wo-
man, do not say would die--;at is tame
but for sucl, a woman, / would live; would
shield her from evil; would tighten her Of every
care; would surround her with every comfort;
in short, would dedicate my whole existence to
the promotion of her happiness
'.tiently, gently" cried |, moderate your
transports, ami tell me if you know any lady
who approaches near the perfection that you de-
mand?'
II know one" he replied, sli lhtIy hesitating.
"iha, l would give much TO learn possesses one
or two of the requistes-some. know, she has,
but the most essential, l fear, she wants Liscn
to me- my friend. l am. at present, in tlourishing
ing circumstance but how can be sure they
will continue, Now, am resolved never to
marry who is not thorough house
keeper Accomplished beauties too often prove
The ruin Of their husbands; and, besides, cam
not afford 10 maintain expensive establish
ment- Now your cousin Ellen is the most love-
able creature / ever beheld, but then is she NOT
fine lady, unable to exist without servants to
wait on her,
by no Means I answered., ELLEN is
notable as she is accomplished and refined; every
thing IN the house is under her direction. and all
me order You observe in their domestic arrange
ments is the effect OF her good rnanagement'
surely you jest. To confess truth. l have in
order to discover her sentiments, some times
limited at the desirableness Of the useful being
added to the ornamental in woman's education;
but she has so constantly shrunk from the sub
leet that feared she totally opposed to my
views
"Ah." said l. "that is Elleus weak point; but
come with me tomorrow. and pay her morn
ingvisit. promise you shall her in all her glo
ry."
Accordingly, the next day we went together;
and desired the servant. who showed US into