Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1851-07-15
c Choosing a Wife.
by A LADY,

by A LAphi
/ had a cousin a cleyer, charming
girl. She could dance gracefully,
draw be eautifally, and Hlay diyinely-
She was d most delightful companion,
being both sensible and " witty; and
could also perform any sort of house
hold work. The latter she was COM
PEELED to do, for there was a large
family Of them, Ny a Elnt being un-
able to afford to keep more than one
servant, and my cousin Ellen being
the eldest, a,good deal of labor fell
4 to her Share. This sheIdid not much
mind, always performed it cheerfully
and well, only taking care that it
should not be known among her ac-
qaaintances, fearing if lit were she
Should lose the respect and consider
alton her superior addfess and ac-
copplishments every where ensured
hed; and rs she was atIall time S seen
drdssed like a lady, and never at any
oco oupation more useful than knitting
and knotting, or worsted wor K, no
one suspected her of being able to
90 what she really did.
| cannot say she was without low
ers for she was universally admired
and sought; but the young men
seelned unanimously tp set her up
forIa fine lady, and she completed
het twenty-second year Iwithou t hay
Iind had an offer. Hef cd mpanions
ialIimarveAled that she should remain
single 50 long; and |, aln hong the rest,
began to think it very odd, that
Though there was often an actual con-
tention for h er hand at the balls, no
one wished 1 0 secure hF as a partner
for life.
Among other inmateB Was gen
tlelnan somewhat dista9tly related to
my husband, who | had often sus-
pected greatly admir- red my cousin
I.Ellen, but still made no proposal,
H BY a mere chance l asdertained that
she re gardcd him in a more favorable
light dnd with kinder feelings than
she had entertained for ano other; and
as the match seemed suitable ! re
solved to find out what kept them
apart. A long tete-a-t -tdte ] had one
evening with the gentlehiaH, favored
my design. After conFfr5ing for a
time on various subjects, he began
to talk of our female atquaintances,
and in order to disarln Suspicion, |
fpurposely avoided mentionih hg Ellen $
name
said |, that You don't begin to look
out for IA wifi; YOU kno o% what an ad-
vocate am for matrimdny, and pos
itivelyI, If you become dn DID bache-
lor, III cut your acqfa lntancf mVo-
gether.
vou, answered Philip, 1and to speak
! the truth, have been feel1 ing a wife
for a long time past.
Indeed. and are yod 30 impressed
with the idea of your 9wn excellen-
ces, th3 t yol, cannot i hd 3 woman
Z worthy of yqu?' | ask 1ed-
Not so, replied PHI H, but feal 4,
[ the woman | am most harmed with
$ is not a fit wife for ME. cannot
marry mere fine lady, and yet
oa;re an acsamolishad woman. My
wife must be cultivated and refined
$ and | should Ike that She possessed
: personal charms; many sue b Womes
e have know; but then She must b
: amiable, and though ahite at home
in the drawing room, she must alFt
!. understand The details Of I'D dasG-keep
ing, and be competent TO manage {
famiIv. to direct her seiyan is, and t
take tie servants plac4, if need be.
.Wbv It's a rara avis |. ind deed, thai
von re,Inire' said |, lad ching; / ad
Inire your modesty, ) Ioung gentle
man. | must confess; and, fupposlns
YOU were to find such 2 IphofAl2' VIVA
! ask, do you propose = As ail -equlYa
lent? on do you imagine your OWL
pretty person, the privilege OF bear
;no ,,,rr name and making the mos
ofyour income, would f9nsu tute "a la!l
exchange? What eoqlt ydu offer t
: indacs such+a rare piedd OF perfection
!, | to accept you for her lord and ms
{ teri
.Wbat could / offer!rlretor rted Phil
;, H. wifi, warntbj swhyII would offe
myself, not, mint You fifer tne i'sii