Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-07-25
Gbuirr 4,itrraturt.
Written for the Western Continent.
WHO'S THE BRIDEGROOM.
nY rRANK !. wILsoN, Or n. c

WHO'S THE BRIDEGROOM.
BY FRANK I. WILSON, OF N. C
The house of Capt. John Stanly is a
spacious old building, and stands imbed-
led in trees and flowers, in the suburbs
Of one of our Southern cities. The old
Captain is one of those plain, upright,
honest, good-natured, free hearted old
fellows that every body loves, and that
loves every body worthy of being loved.
His wife lOaS quite different in her ma
tuTe. We say was, for the incident we
are about relating, together with It's con-
sequences, effected very happy change
In her, and made her ideas more congo
nial with those Of her husband. She
had hankering after fine carriages and
equipsge, costly furniture and magnifi-
cent living, and never could bear to
think Of any one with less dignifed IT,
tie than that Of Lawyer or Doctor, as
husband for her only daughter. the pret-
iy Emma.
Emma Stanly was sensible girl
Her father had taught her to desPise the
"empty pageantry" of " high life p and
notwithstanding the counter-teachings Of
her mother, she leaned 10 her fathers
side, and readily imbibed his notions of
things. She was pretty and accomplish
ed; that is, she had good solid eGuca-
cation, and knew the art Of house-keep-
ing.
Now Emma had (as the world thought
two suffers. We will describe them:
Walter BOSWELL was a young mechan-
ic, who had Just served out his term ol
apprenticeship and set up business on
his own hook. He was steady and al
tentive, and rapidly rising in the estima.
ton OF all that knew him. He was
punctual to his promises, and although
his capital was small, he had credit fol
of Emma's reputed suitors.
Dick Dunlap was a dashing young
doctor, who had just commenced prac.
tice, and lived in "high style" He
was quick and lively, had some wit, anC
a great deal of would-be wit, dressed
fashionablv, and kept servants. 1t i,
true that his professional services hac
been required in two or three emo dan,
ger" cases, but his conscience was no
yet burdened with the weight Of having
killed single patient, and consequently
he had acquired but little distinction ir
the healing art. This was the other re
puted suiter of Emma StanIy.
Doctor Dunlap was frequent visito
at old Captain Stanly's, and SO was Wal
ter BOSWELL.
The Doctor was courted by old moth
er Stanly about as assiduously as Emm;
was by Walter. He quoted poetry. an,
talked great deal Of sentiment, and wa
full Of jokes and would-be witty sallies
and all such hummery. The old lad
thought it was all very fine, and locke
joyfully forward 10 day, which sh
thought was not far distant, that woul
make Emma Mrs. Dunlap. She scarce
ly deigned to notice poor honest, unpre
tending Walter, and would have bee
highly incensed at any person that woul
have dared to tell her that Emma pre-
ferred him TO DR.. Dunlap. 1t is tru
that she thought il little strange that b
should continue his visits, and often hir
ted TO her daughter that she ought Mt
TO suffer them. But Walter was encou
aged by old father Stanly, and bv ii
pretty Emma too, and but short time ha
elapsed before the yourg folks unde
stood one another This 'understan
ing one another has a very peculi
meaning when applied 10 young persol
an certain cases, which we do not dee
1t necessary TO define or explain.
Walters visits had become, to O
Mrs. Stanly, alarmingly frequent S
pretended to Emma, that she had no id
that she (Emma) would receive his
tentions; and would frequently addre
her daughter in the following strain !;
If you do not stop that poor, low-b'
BOSWELL from coming here so muc
people will begin to say be is COURT
you. Yes, although it may seem to y
impossible that folks should have su
an idea, yet you may depend upon
they will. A pretty dish of scandal, f
ly, to be served up by some folks
believe you may thank Doctor DunI
TOR having escaped SO far he is &c
tleman, and every body knows it--e,
ny one likes him-and because he Wis
you, folks will not talk about Wal
Bostwelrs being his rival. No. th
will respect his feelings more ; but
should not be surprised if he becou
disgustcd at his insignificant oponent,
fancied opponent, and quits you-yes,
solutely quits YOU