The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1850-08-05
Misfellaneons.
Choosing a Wife.

l. IH. BY n LADY. .li oi ..gtusi afaf 4
had cousin, charming girl. She could
dance gracefully, sing beautifully, and play
divinely. She was most delightful com
panion. being both sensible and witty, and
she could also perform any sort OF household
work. The lattershe was compelled to do,
for there was a large family Of them. MY
aunt being unable to keep more than one
servant, and my cousin Ellen being the
eldest good deal of labor fell to her share.
This she did not much mind, always per-
forming it cheerfully and WELL only taking
care that it should not be known among her
acquaintances, fearing, if it were, that she
should lose the respect and consideration her
superior address and accomplishments every
where insured, and as she was at times seen
dressed like lady, and never at any occu-
pation more useful tina n knitting or worst
ed work, no one suspected her Of being able
to do what she really did.
| cannot say she was without lovers; for
she was universally admired and sought; but
the young men unanimously set her up for
fine lady, and she completed her twenty
second year without having an offer. Her
companions all marvelled that she should re-
main single SO long and among the rest
began to think it very odd that, though there
was an actual contention for her hand at
the balls, no one wished 10 secure her for a
partner for life
Among our inmates was a gentleman,
somewhat distantly related to my husband,
whom | had often suspected of greatly ad-
miring my cousin Ellen, but still made no
proposal. By a mere chance ascertained
that she regarded him in more favorable
light and with kinder feelings than she had
ever entertained for another; and as the
match seemed suitable, resolved to find out
what kept them apart. A long tete-a-tete
with the gentleman favored my design.
After conversing with him for time on va
rious subjects, We began to talk of our female
acquaintances and in order TO disarm sus-
picion, | purposely avoided mentioning Ell
lens name.
"It's unaccountable to me, Philip" said |,
"that you don't begin to lookou for wife.
You know what an advocate am for matri-
mony; and positively. if you become an
old bachelor, I'll cut your acquaintance alto
gether."
81 have no such intention, assure you, "
answered Philip, "a and to speak the truth, |
u have been seeking wife this long time
past"
"Indeed! and are you so impressed with
the idea OF your own excellence that you
cannot find woman worthy of your l
asked.
: "Not so," replied Philip. but l fear the
woman am most charmed with is not fiji
wife for me. canno. marry mere fine
lady; and yet can require an accomplished
: woman. My wife must be cultivated and
refined, and should like that she possessed
personal charms; many such woman have
ia known; but then she must be amiabie, and
: thought quite at home in the drawing room
she must also understand the details oi
house keeping, and be competent to manage
a family, to direct her servants, and to take
the servants place if need be-"
"Why, it's a rare avis, that you require y
said |, laughing; " l admire your modesty,
young gentleman, must confess; and, sup
posing you were TO find such phenis, what,
may ask, do you propose as an equivalent;
or do you imagine your own pretty person,
e the privilege Of bearingyou name, and max
ing the most OF your income, would consti
tute fair exchange? What could you offel
to induce such a rare piece of perfection to
st accept you for her lord and master?"
"What could | offer?" retorted Philip
with warmth; "why, would offer myself;
not, mind you, after the fashion Of too many
men of the present day. would bind my
self to her, body and soul. For such wo.
+ man | would toll like slave if it were ne.
cessary; for such a woman do not say
would die-that is tame-but for such wo.
man | would live; would shield her from
evil; would tighten her Of care would
n surround her with every comfort; in short,
| would dedicate the whole of my existence
t. to the promotion of her happiness"
m Gently! gently" cried /, "moderatt
ID your transports, and tell me if you know any
'r lady who approaches near the perfection yor
y demand"
N "Iknow one," he replied, slightly hesi.
q tating, " that would give much TO learr
" possesses one or two of the requisites. Some
= | know she has. Listen to me my friend.
am at present in very fourishing circumstan
: Ces but how can ! be sure they will eontin
ue? Now, am resolved never to marry
woman who is not thorough house -kee per
Accomplished beauties ofteu prove the ruiz
Of their husbands, and, besidesI cannot af
ford 10 mainjpin an expensive establishment
Now, your cousin Ellen is the most'loyel,
Great ture ever beheld; but then is she not
fine lady, unable to exist without servan
to wait on herr s
GO BY no MEANS" answered; ELLEN
nd as notable as she is accomplished and efin
ly ed everything in the house is under her di
ss rection, and all the order you observe in he
domestic arrangements is the effect of he
good Management ug
= "You surprise me-" exclaimed PhiliI
nay. surely you jest. To confess the truti
have limited at the desirableness of tn
useful being added to the ornamental in VIC
mans education but she has SO CONSTANT
shrunk from the subject, that feared tina
she was totally opposed to my views"
"Ahl" said |, " that is Ellen'sweak poin
but come with me tomorrow and pay her
he morning visit, and promise you shall Sc
ve her in all her glory"
ev Accordingly we went together, and dt
- sired the servant who showed us in the pa
70 lor not to say that had any one with m,
- but Just to tell my cousin wished to spea
to her, and was in haste. In two minute
: down she came, the very picture of heal'
VI and good humor.
49, -" My dear COUSIN" she said, not percei'
- ing Philip, "you are privileged person, f
you know am invisible y company al tb
hour. What can you wahtY Is II a ne
| A. L