Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1852-03-25
MISCELLANY.
SINGULAR MODE or CoURrsHIP.

The Rev. DR.. In, an eminent Scotch
divine, and professor Of theology was re-
markable for absence of mAd aud indiffer.
ence to worldly affairs, His mind, wrapped
up in lofty CONCENTRATIONS, could seldom
stoop to the ordinary business of life; and
when at any time he did attend TO secular
affairs, he generally went about them in a
way unlike any body else, as the history of
his courtship will show. He was greatly be-
loved BY his elders and congregation was
full Of simplicity and sincerity, aud entirely
unacquainted with the etiquette Of the world
Living the solitary, eomfortless life Of a
bachelor, his elders gave him frequent hints
thathis domestic happiness wouldbe much in
creased by his taking TO himself wife, and
pointing out several young ladies in lis con
gregation, any one of whom might be q fit
match or companion for him
The elders finding all7the hints had no ef.
feet in rousing tho Doctor to the using Of
the means preliminary 20 entering into mat
rimonia5 alliance, at last concluded to wait
upon him and stir him up 20 the perform
ance Of his duty They urged on him the
advantages of marriage, its happiness; spoke
of it as divine institution, and as afforded
all the enioYments Qfsepse. aud reason. and
Doctor approved of all they said, and apole-
gized for his past neglect of duty; on &C
count Of many difficult passages Of Scripture
he had of late been attendingsto, and prom
ised to look after IT !" the first Convenient
season. The elders, however, were not to
be put off any longer they insisted on the
Doctor at once making use Of the means, and
exacted from him promise, that on Mon
day afternoon be would straightway visit the
house Of widow lady, a few doors from him,
who had three pretty daughters, and who
were the most respectable in the Doctor
congregation. To solve any difficult pas
sage in the book of Genesis, to reconcile ap-
parent discrepancies, or clear up khotty
text, would have been an easy and agree
able task to the Doctor compared with
storming the widows premises Bat to the
opening Of the seige the Doctor must 60, and
with great gravity and simplicity, gentle
reader, you can imagine you see him com
mencing the work
After the usual salutations were over, be
said to Mrs W-n
My session have Of late been advising
me to take wife, and recommended me t
call upon you and as you have three fine
daughters, would like to say word to tht
eldest, if you have no objections
Miss WI entered, and the Doctor
with his characteristic simplicity, said t.
her.
MY session have been advising me t.
take wife, and recommended me to cal
upon you"
The young lady, who had seen SEINE thirty
summers, was not to be caught SO easily
She laughed heartily at the Decter's abrupt
ness, limiting to him that in making ser
mon it was necessary to say something first
to introduce the subject properly, before 2,
entered fully upon it; and as for her par
she was determined not to surrender hel
liberty at moments warniag: the honor
of her sex was concerned in her standing
out
This was all waste Of time 70 the Doctor
and he requested to see her sister
Miss Z. w then entered Gad, to
save time the Doctor said.
Ny session have been advising me tt
take wife, and have been speaking Z
your sister who had just gone cut at thu
door; and as she is not inclined that way
what would you think Of being Mrs. In.
X. Oh, Doctor, don't know; it is rather
serious question. Marriage, you know
binds one for life, and II should not b rash
| " entered into would net consent, with
out taking time to deliberate upon it,
.My time said the doctor, IS SO snucl
occupied, and my session have said 50 Inucl
to me on the business, that ] must finish
today, If can. So yeu had best tell you
mother to send in your youngest sister t
speak to me- :, !.
In a moment comes the honest livel.
Miss Mary W-n.
Come away my child, it's getting on i
the afternoon, and must get home 70 m.
! studies. 1 have been speaking to both
/ vonr sisters on a little business, and the,
J have declined am man OF few word
and without misspending precious time
what would you think Of being made Mrs
L-n7n -,
aIndeed, I always thought great deal
van Doctor and if my mother does not So.
snything against it, / have no objections. "
The Doctor left Miss Mary in few min
utos. enioiniDg her to Ak the day, for an,
| would suit him, but to send him up word tn
day before;
The Doctor was scarcely gone, before
keen dispute arose in the family among th
three young ladies, all claiming the Doctor
| The eldestone said the offer was FIRST mad
to her, and she did not positively refuse. i
The second declared that she wished only