The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-06-09
SELECT MISCELLANY.
sTHE WIFE FOR ME-,


Horace Hastings was sober, sensible
enterprising bachelor, Of some seven ans
twenty years, who having obtained an ex
cellent reputation by his industry and in
tegrity, and having made himself usefu
to the mercantile firm in Boston, will
whom he had served an apprenticeship
was at length invited to partnership in
the concern. For some time he had been
encouraged to anticipate this elevation
and he soberly and energetically entered
upon the new duties of his POSITION
When business crowded, he had but little
leisure to mourn over his celibiate condi-
tor, but when the hurrying season was
over, and hours each day hung heavy up
on his hands, he could not help thinking
how delightful it would be, had he but a
house and gentle wife Of his own. Pc.
cuniary circumstances now warranted
such Injuries, and he resolved to marry
when he could find lady "just suited to
his mind" Near a country village in
Maine, not thousand miles from Bangor,
lived an old friend OF his father, and being
on collecting tour in that region during
the autumn months, he determined to ac-
cept an oA-repeated invitation to spend
few days with the old gentleman, and sent
a note announcing his coming.
AT the appointed time he reached the
residence of his old friend and found that
the family were prepared and pleased to
welcome him as guest. In the parlor
were two young ladies', well dressed and
quite handsome. He was duly introduced
to Miss Jane and Charlotte, and found
them accomplished and sensible young
ladies. Being just now very susceptible
to the tender passion, he was easily pleas
ed, and exerted his powers to render him
self agreeable to the fattered maidens.-
He succeeded, OF course. Sensible men OF
his age and prospects, always do when
they try. And as his eyes wandered in
conversation from one handsome, intelli-
gent face to another, he caught himself
several times mentally inquiring; switch
Of the two would make the better wife,"
4 The mother, and neat looking maid
were seen at intervals passing from the
kitchen preparing the supper. The girl
who set out the table and spread the white,
stainless cloth, and arranged the plates,
seemed to do it so gracefully and quietly
as il she had made such duties study as
a science, won passing glance Of admi-
ration ss very neat and pretty servant
a model of help. Altogether, he thought
it was charming family When they
seta cheerful supper, and he tasted the
light homemade bread, and the sweet
butter, and the thinly sliced home cured
beef, and the hot, well favored tea, the
excellence and good taste manifested in
the whole ordering at home, delighted
him even if it was his only for a few days.
After the supper was over, and the ia
BILE was cleared, a third young lady, neat
" dressed, entered the room, and was
formally introduced to him as one ofthe sis
tiers, Miss Sarah. He was not a little sur
prised to find that the neat servant girl
whose handy work had won his admira-
ton, was one Of the sisters. lie found I
her sprightly, cheerful, as accomplished,
and he thought little more graceful, than {
Jane, who was the elder, or Charlotte,
who was younger than herself He !
thought little more meanly of himself
for having taken her to be hired girl in I
the family. but not whit more meanly of {
her for having revealed herself in that ca
pacity. And his perplexity was some i
what increased as he sat down on his bed
side in the chamber to which he was shown {
nv ahis host and said to himself (which I
ofthe threel"
In the morning, after he had nights {
sound sleep-for he was sufficiently in
love to keep him awake-he entered the ,
breakfast room. and was Joined by the I
Young ladies, who had first welcomed him. I
Sarah was not yet visible, but when they
sat down at the table, and Jane had pour /,
cd out the coffee. Shrah came smiling in &
behind clean white apron, and with a '
pile of steaming hot buckwheat cakes in I
,er hands, which from the hue OF her /
,heeks, she had just been baking. If :
here was blush on her cheeks, any eye
night see il was forced there by the. fire, |
md notify any sense Of degradation, on !
account Of the office she so gracefully fill q
ID. She greeted the guest with welcome s
smile, deposited her load Of edibles and q
to the kitchen whence she trip Q
BED again in a few minutes with another y
plate OF cakes, most beautifully baked by q
aer own skill. Horace ate large guam Q
ity Of them, more than enough merely to II
atisfy hunger. because Of the beautiful J
,ands that made them. And then he Y
wandered oyer the farm with the old man y
md prated oil horses and cows and crops. q
Is though he new something about them Y
IS well as broadcloths and calicoes. Afla
or dinner time Jane and Charlotte were d
n the parlor waiting for him, and Sarah, h
is usual, was bustling about the kitchen. I,
il Go WISH" said he soto yoce, ssthat
me ofthese girls would take Sarah 5 place $
n the kitchen little while, that might q
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