New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1853-02-07

ANNIE GREEN'S WISH.
A SHORT STORY FOR THE LADIES.

n sigh, as she gazed upon the bright fire which
blazed in the cheerful crate before her, few
nights after New Years day She had just re-
turned from private party which had been
given at the house OF female friend, and was
turning over in her mind what she had heard
and seen previous to retiring for the night She
was q fine, healthy looking girl, about twenty |
years of age, and possessed physical organlza- |
ton with which one would suppose she should |
have felt perfectly contented She was about
the middle height, well built, and carried about
with her no more flesh than was actually neees-
sary to good looks, while the bright hue of health
enlivened her countenance when she was dis
posed to feel merry, and all sensible men admit
ted that she was really a pretty girl. But
although nature had dealt very CARLY by her
in physical point of view, she possessed, MN
tally, one very serious fault, which was a dispo
sition not only to take exceptions to the form
which God, in his infinite wisdom, had given
her, but to wish for things that it was morally
certain she could never obtain. This rendered
her very unhappy, and although she had every
reason to consider herself blessed, she felt at
times utterly miserab BILE 81 do wish j was
thinr' she exclaimed, as she regarded her white,
we'll moulded arms, discontentedly. I" If could
only be like Nancy Verisopht now What
crowd of admirers she had around her night
to be sure Ard no wonder at it she's so tall
and delicate, and thin Why, | can span
around her waist, and she looks though q
strong gust of wind would blow her away How
l did envy ,her when that tall gentleman with
the black moustache, Mr.. Znesckly, who they |
say is the son Of Russian Count, seated himself
beside her, and declared that she was the mos
interesting creature he had ever seen in his
life But he wasn't the only one-there was
scarcely gentleman in the room who was not
crazy to get near her That plain, matterof-
fact, common sense old curmudgeOn, Mr.. Blunt,
remarked in my hearing, that MIR. Znescky and
all the rest of them would have thought her quite
as interesting had she been as fat as market
woman and homely as a stone fence, so long as
her father was worth fortune, but | don't be-
lieve word of it. I havn't the slightest doubt
they would all think just as much of her if she
hadn't q penny! How happy she ought to be in
the possession of SO many admirers She can
do Just as she pleases with them She flirts
with this one, snubs that one, and looks cross at
the other one with the most perfect impunity,
and I'm sure that many Of her adorers would get
tired of trying to get into her good graces, if it
was not that she is so very, rery interesting
There's that tall, good-looEing fellow, Mr.
Hawk, now-I don't see how he can endure the
many absolute afronts and pointed repulses he
meets with at her hands Why, she actually
had the hardihood tonight to intimate to him
that his absence was better than his company.
and he didn't seem to mind it any more than
though the remark had been complimentary
instead of an insulting one But suppose the
secret is to be found in his great love for her
"Such men as Mr.. Hawk will endure great
deal for money! said voice which seemed 70
proceed from the crate in front Of her; . Miss
Verisopht has the game in her own hands now,
and can do as she chooses, but it won't always
be SO
At the unexpected sound of another voice than
her own, Annie was startled, and for a moment
she did not know but she was about TO become q
medium for spiritual manifestations She soon
recovered her self possession, however, and look
ing steadily into the fire, she at length perceiy
Cd a most singular looking little individual seat
ed upon the top of piece Of coke which had not
yet ignited. He was not larger than a man S
thumb, he had an immense pair OF hushy whis
kers around his comical little phiz, his eyes
seemed like two rubies, his nose was aoquiline,
his hair looked like threads OF gold. us it glisen
ed in the fre-lght, his mouth was stretched
from ear to ear in broad grin, and as he sat
there swinging his legs and looking merrily at
her, she thought he was one of the funniest
characters she had ever looked upon Her fears
vanished instantly, and gazing in the intruders
face, she said, good humoredly,
"Why, what do you know about Miss Ner-
sopht or Mr.. Hawk either 7"
81 know all about Them was the answer.
"The first has money but no brains, while the
latter has neither the one nor the other, and ~
hollow-hearted fop."
hands in surprise. BE careful what you say
or you will be called upon to answer charge
Of defamation of character. Who are you, any
howl"
my name is Common Sense" answered the
little man, and am one Of the guardian spir-
its of the old curmudgeon, Mr., Blunt, to whom
you q short time since alluded"
And do you intend to say" questioned An
ME, 6 that Miss Verisopht is not Interesting r
/" Not quite so interesting as her money" wa
the laconic answer
ssAnd do you doubt for moment" again
asked Annie, Z" that Mr.. Znesckly and MIR
Hawk are desperately in love with her."
Yes" answered the little man, :. for / know
that they not capable of loving any body or
anything but themselves"
swell, don't believe it." answered Annie.
IS and wish was as thin sshe is, at all events
"Thats wicked wish, said the little man,
with frown, g and you had best recall it,
"Indeed, shall do no such thing" answered
Annie, Z" and what's more, shall take to starry
ing myself, and eating chalk, and drinking vine
gar, to see if l can't reduce myself"
"Self- destruction Is horrible crime" said
the little man, kicking, in his anger, piece OF
the coke upon which he was sitting, g and ]
command you to drive such thoughts from your
mind
.sApd / tell you shall do just as please, "
said Annie, with some asperity. do you sup
pose am TO be ruled by you
Listen to me, Annie, said the monitor, with
aserious look. "You are now in the enjoyment
Of good health, loved by your parents, respected
by your acquaintances, and better looking than
the great majority of womankind, Can you
not rest satisfied then -
"No, answered the young girl, pettishly
:" am determined to be thinner"
80 Is that your settled determination - asked
the monitor.
sit is,'' was the laconic and decisive reply
"Would you like to exchange persons az
conditions in life with Miss Yerisopht y was
next question.
"Of all things in the world r cric. 81
joyfully.
:" Then you shall have your wish" said the
monitor. "But ! would advise you to think o.
the matter again, for the exchange must hola
gcsd forsvsr.'