The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-01-01


"Indeed, this meets the case. BY the old
titles it appears that Joshua was the grand
son Of the rich Abram Lewis, and his family
was supposed TO he extinct. Here it is; tho
name has been changed to Lewis, Ivy very
common freak or accident. This is an i'm
porinnt matter to Betty. but ] will not break
it 10 the girl at present" So soi'oquized tho
deep MIR Langtree, ill the revised breakfhs,
Ind been duly swallowed, when Il ring ofhs
Office bell announced the arrival of perhaps
q client--Nn unusual circumstance.
1t was no other than young Christopher
Muggins-the sole heir of Joseph Muggins,
and The proprietor of the property which,
Betty's mother, with her seven children
younger than Betty, had been warned TO
quit. The snid warning had excited her
nciglIbors against him, and he had come to
ask what he considered The proioundest le-
gal advice in n case of rather crooked lille.
"a very clear case mud straightforward
proceeding, Mr. Muggins," replied the vener-
able Langlree, after having listened TO the
Volnble statement ofthe little quick-spoken,
squatty- formed, pug-nozed Mr. Mnggins.---
our right TO enter upon the premises is un-
questionable. How astonishingiy real estate
has appreciated Why, Mr. Muggins, would
Won think i, she resIduuu of the great Lewis
estate in Chcsnutst has risen To nearly half
IL million aud lave just This morning discov-
not he less than Il cool hundred thousand
She is young woman, worthy domestic
Of my own family. Indeed, Mr. Muggins,
We're MS young and enterplisipg as you,
would look for an interest in Ifnt magnificent
block Of real estate. Her good fortune is not
At present. Known TO the public or even I"
herself; when il is, her hand will not be long
in the market"
"Well, fact that is a chance" replied Mug
gins, hnuIing out a roll of bills three or four
times the fee he had intended TO offer. Com
siderme your client Squirr. like nothing
so we'll as the first chance in the market"
"Shn'ii make you noble wife MugGins, if
you can get her. She's been under my in
siruclons these five wears and understands
the true philosophy ofIlIe kitchen which is IN
fact the philosophy Of life, man. Call this
evening and will introduce you TO the young
woman" .
Mr. Christopher Muggins, though but five
and twenty, was at any rate so considered
himself an old head. lie was the very en-
bodiment ofthe genius DIFFERENTIATION, and
the first article in his creed was to lie first in
The mGr&et He had already well considered
the matrimonial market, and felt the necessis
~ OF dealing that way, as means of the ac-
emulation and retention of wealth. But
there had appeared TO him insuperabIe diff
cuIlles, the first of which was that those 10
would lIave would not have hin. Among
the ladies ofproperty he was like n HOOK
without bait. AS 10 the girls without means
he considered he might have his choice OF
them any time. The first opening 10 prize,
of which he had ever caught glimpse, was
this hint of the venerable Lunstree,-kird,
good man. Muggins was in perfect fever
After leaving Mr. Langtree's office he hopped
about like corn on hot shovel. But he was
not long in coming TO the conclusion that 10
would see the girl without whiting Cor iorm-
al introduction from MIR Langtree. His max,
i'm, "'jfrSt in the Market" almost the only
that had possession offs BRAIN ruug
i'll his ears, as fit were the tune
ofhis being Delays were dangerous
What stroke ofpolcy it would he to hcset
The poor girl with generous offer of mar
riage, before she should know any thing of
her good fortune, and how much more surely
successful than fit should be delayed till she
knew her own rG|tte. #
These sapont thoughts brought Muggins 10
the conclusion 10 strike while the iron-in
bis own mind--wae lot. The girl was no.
body but hired cook, aud she would Jump a,
an offer from thriving citizen of his stand
ing. lie was inexperienced in such ncgoci-
atoms, To nc sure, but there must he first
time. why should there be any more fuss
in this case than in making any other bar
ganf Slight doubts and hesitaDcies were
thus crushed away, and Muggins resouiiop
TO the tense of forthwith,
But here arose a difficulty. He did not G.
ven know the name ofthe lady. He would
have to go by guess, and some confounded
mistake naght occur. lie knew very well
that Mr. Langtree had but two women SER
wants, and it could not be likely that he would
recommend the housekeeper MS n,alyiagable,
who was almost rs old as himself, and seem
ed never to have been younger. He could