Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1851-05-14
Romance Of Real Life.

following story in late number Of tn
! Home Journal
lived in Virginia during the winter O
1S4S. At an evening party in Richmond
there were twelve mothers, twelve daugh
tcrs, and tolerable sprinkling Of fathers
SONS, widows and widowers present, will
LIurie Todd in their midst and you may
be sure we had some fun. Conversins
with an ancient lady, she remarked tina
her grandfather came from Scotland wher
young, and settled in Virginia. He be
came merchant and planter, and grew
rich. His agent in Glasgow was Alexan
der McAlpin, to whom he consigned two
Or three cargoes of tobacco every year, land
received, in return, cash, dry goods, hard
ware, etc He had focks and herds, men,
servants and maid-servants, horses and
mules; but one thing he yet lacked-he
had no pretty wife to sing with him when
he came home at night, fatigued with
counting money, and satiated with worldly
pelf, for he had more of that than heart
could wish. So, after while, he conclu-
ded to take wife-as soon as he could
catch one. But here was the rub. His
time was so occupied with his business
that he could not find time to look about
him for wife; and, worse than all, he
was bashful man. When he saw mai
den of twenty advancing in his path, he
would cross the street, fearful of being
killed by shot from her sparkling eyes.
But a remedy was at hand, however. He
had often heard his parents speak much in
praise of the bonny lassies who play
among the heather on the hill-tops in
Scotland. A bright idea struck him.
When he was leaving the office, his clerk
was copying duplicate order for sundries
to be sent as part of the return cargo. He
thought to himself that he would order a
young lassie for wife, as the last item on
the list. The article was ordered accor-
dinghy. At the same time he wrote a
private letter of instructions to his agent,
Mr.. McAlpin, giving minute description
Of the article wanted, as to age, height,
health, ETC. In short she mnst be bonny
Scotch lassie to be sent on the return of
his own ship; her name to be on the
bill Of lading, etc. He promised,
on arriving, to have her stored in the
house of respectable widow whom he
named, and, if agreeable to the parties
he would make her his wife in
thirty days after arrival If not, and she
wished to returned, he would pay expen-
ses, loss of time, etc.
When Sandy Alpin had finished read
ing the letter of instructions, he slowly re-
moved his spectacles, muttered to himself,
8 The lad (his correspondent, who was
hirty years old) is daft; he tells me to
'end him wife, as if she was a barrel O.
at herring; guac kens the fash (trouble)
was at to geta wife for myself I'll see
What the guide wife says,' "a bright idea.)
Next day, Mrs. McAlpin sat in council
With Mrs. A. and B. Invitations were
ent to ten matrons, whose daughters were
n and out of their teens, to assemble at
'1rs. McAlpin's tca-board. Each matron
Tas requested to bring with her daugh-
er who was not "o'er young to marry yet
Nj being present an hour before tea, MIR.
IcAlpin read the letter, and made an ex-
'lanation. They then sat down to tea
after tea each lass gave him her ultima
um, when it was found that only three
Tere willing to accept the offer. These
hree agreed to draw lots, to decide the
reference. Mary Robinson drew the long
st straw, and was hailed as the bonny ,
ride.
In ten days thereafter they set sail for
america. They entered Chesapeake Bay !
fter a voyage of twelve weeks, and in two ,
ays more they were in James River.
When MIR. Crawford, our hero, heard of
he arrival of the ship, he, with four SER
ants, repaired to the wharf Mary was :,
landing on the quarterback, admiring ,,
'ature's widest grandeur. She had re-
overed from her sea-sickness when four
ays out. The healthful breezes of the
road Atlantic had imprinted on her pret- :,
= face beautiful freshness. There she
.ood, her cheek tinged with the roses of
haron, and her bonny brow white as the
ly of the valley. Crawford sprang on
eek, and was introduced by the captain. ,
[e looked on Mary with love and admira- )
on her soft hand lay in his; he was
nitten.
They all descended from the ship, and :
,paired to the mansion of the widow :,
foresaid. On the thirtieth day Of proba- .
on, the lovers were united in the holy !
onds Of wedlock. In conclusion, the
brightly though venerable widow re- !