Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1852-09-13
SELECTED. TALE.
[coscLuDED FROM SATURDAYS rsrELLlcEscEs.I J.
THE LOVE LET TER.
A SKETCH FOR GENTLEMEN FLIRI
DY KATE wILDFIRE.

"NIY DEAR SrR:-Your letter, containing most
lattering avowal of regard for one who is compar-
atively a stranger, has been received Its efectI
will not attempt to describe; nor will /, at this
time, venture 10 put in written language what L
feel. Tomorrow evening will spend at Mrs.
T-'s May hope to see you there?
Ntw Yours, &C., i;o4n lii3H2ta KATE"
Andy was in ecstacies atthis answer to this epis-
tie: Its meaning to him was as plain as if Kate
had said, ttDear Andrew, my heart is yours %
/ On'the next evening, he repaired to Mrs. T0s
trembling with fond anticipation. On entering the
parlor, he found but single person therein, and
that young lady named Herbet, to whom he had
formerly paid very marked attentions. Aware that
she had been made unhappy by his fickleness, not
to call it by harshtr name, the meeting rather
threw a damper on his feelings. But Andy had
his share of GOODNESS and self-possesslon, and al
though it cost him considerable effort, he man
aged to introduce topics of conversation and to
talk pretty freely, although the talking was nearly
all on his own side, Miss Herbet maintaining cold
reserve, and answering entirely in monosyllables
For about a quarter of an hour, Andy endured
the ordeal, wondering why this particular young
lady should happen to be alone in the parlor of Mrs.
t, and wondering still more why Miss Archer
did not make her appearance. lust as he begantG
feel a little excited and uneasy, the door opened
and in walked another young maiden whom he had
reason to remember-a Miss Mary Harper. She
was also one of his old flames. She appeared sur
prised at seeing him, and greeted him with cold
ness. Andy tried to say some spnghtly things to
MISS Harper, DuL ne was tdI UtuS III dS SOUu
condition as atfirst. The effort to entertain Miss
Herbert had somewhat exhausted his reservoir of
spirits, and his attempts to draw farther thereon
lwere not very successful. The two young ladies'
drew together on the sofa, and maintained a mutu-
I al reserve towards Andy that soon began to be
painfully embarrassing. mo-. ago s.sg2'
stWhat does all this meant" Andy had just
asked himself, for he was beginning to feel puz-
zled when the sound of light feet along the pas
sage was again heard, and, the door opening, his
staI ,rpn 4 he Gar0line lSrey.
whom he had once paid his addresses. Very par
ticular reasons had Andy Cavender for not wish
ing to meet Caroline on that particular occasion;
for he had committed himself to her more directly
than any other young lady in Woodland, having on
one occasion actually written and sent to her
love letter. The precise contents of that epstle
he did not remember; but often, when he thought
of it. he had doubts as to the extent to which he
had committed himself therein, that were notVery
| comfortable. -5-
Soon another and another entered, and, strange
to say,ieaoh was an old flame, until there was no
less than six fair, rebuking spirits. Silent Andy
satin the midst of these-silent, because the pres.
sure Of his feelings had become insufferaby great
for nearly quarter ofan hour. TWAS social
party Of the most novel character and one that he
has never forgotten. 3aie-jgifrf u.
About the time that Andy's feelings were in as
uncomfortable state as could well be imagined,
and he was beginning to wish himself at the north
pole, Kate Archer and her. friend Jenny entered
the room slowly, the former with an open letter
in her hand, upon which the eyes Of both were
resting. 't'A'.'sl5.' ~ ~
in an instant, it flashed upon Andy Cavender
that ne was to be yictimized by the city belle. NO
sooner had this. thought crossed his mind than,
rising abruptly, he bowed to his fair tomentors,
saying: ihAf y l9'i;ie -
"Excuse me, ladies.n And beat hasty retreat.
But, ere he had passed beyond the. street door,
there reached him a gush OF merry laugher from
the musical throat of Kate, in which other voices
mingled. 80 ~ '--
on the next day, he received letter directed in
a delicate hand. 1t enclosed the one he had
written to Kate, and accompanying it was note
in these words: ui.is 9ht Isti ..lo45l ]; !.
tTThere is, it is presumed, mistake in the di-
rection Of this. 1t was probably meant for Car
oline Grey, Mary Harper, Nancy Herbert or Jenny
Green In order that it may receiver its proper des-
tination, it is returned to the writer.,i m s,ct
The village fiirt was a changed man a1ter tnal,
He had played with edge tools Until he cut hmseif
and the " ounds, in healing, Left an ugly scar.
Poor Andy, Cayenderlss All tins nap Ppeneo years
ago. and he is bachelor still,
several subsequent attempts to make iaVothole
ems Tbe' 'story 81 his unishment at Mrs T-s
few over The village in a few hours, and after
THAT. mn fair denizen of iWoodlnnddor a moment
Itbomeht of regarding any. attention rom Anay
II Cayender as more than piece OF IDLE pastIme;
and IN fhe few occasions that he rentured to talk
of love- the merry witches laughed him IN the lace,
aTHs " Ar TO LEAnsS .Sfr.. Locke was asked how
] he had contriyed to accumulate mine of knowl-
edpe so rich yet extensive ddeep. He replied,
that he attributed what little he knew to the not
having been ashamed to ask for Information and to
the rule he had laid down, OF conyeIslng with a
! descriptions Or men, on those topics chiefly theii
.