Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-10-19


half in jest, halfin earnest, the happy man
or the unhappy one, if you please, ha!
ha shall be person possessed of these
three qualifications
First, fortune;
Second, good looks;
'Third, common sense.
l mention the fortune first, because [
think it the most needful and desirable quail
ifcation of the three. Although I never
could think of marrying fool, or a man
whose ugliness l should be ashamed of,
still / think to talk sense for the one, and
shine for the other with plenty of money,
would be preferable to living obscure with
handsome, intellectual man-to whom e.
economy might be necessary
do not know how much of this senti-
ment came from Kate's heart. She un-
doubtedly indulged lofty ideas of station
and style-for her education in the duties
and aims of life had been deficient, or rath-
er erroneous but that she was capable of
deeper, better feelings, none ever doubted
who had obtained even partial glimpse of
her true woman's nature.
And the time arrived when Kate was
to take that all-important step of which she
had often spoken so olightly-when she was
to demonstrate to her friends how much of
her heart was in the words we have just
quoted.
At the enchanting age of eighteen she
had many suitors; but as she never gave
| serious thought to more than two, we'will
, follow her example, and, discarding all 9TH
5 ers except those favored ones, consider their
{ relative claims.
:, If this were any other than true story,
a l should certainly use an artists privilege,
s and aim to produce an effect by making a
!. strong contrast between the two favored
] individuals If could have my own way,
r one should be a poor genius, and something
$ of hero; the other wealthy fool, and
q somewhat of knave.
: But the truth is
t One poor genius was not much of ge-
(; nius-not very poor either. He was by
profession a teacher of music, and he could
live very comfortably by the exercise there
= of-without the most distant hope, howeV-
q er, of ever attaining to wealth. Moreover,
\ Francis Minot, possessed excellent qualities,
: which entitled him to be called by elderly
8 people a fine character by his compan-
J. ions a noble good fellow and by the la
:, dies generally darling
t Kate could not help loving Mr.. Frank,
r and he knew it. He was certain she pre-
d ferred his society even to that of Mr.. We'll
= lington, whom alone he saw fit to honor
Y with the appellation of rival.
le This Mr.. Wellington (his companions
D. called him Duke, was no idiot or hump
le back, as could have wished him to be, in
is order to make a good story. On the con
L. trary, he was man of sense, good looks
L. and fine manners, and there was nothing ot
e. the knave about him that could ever as
rs certain.
a. Besides this, his income was sufficient t.
ID enable him to live superbly. Also, he wa
n considered two or three degrees handsome
in than Mr. +. Muot.
s. Therefore the only thing on which Franl
lie had to depend, was the power he possesses
is over Kate sympathies and affections. Th
I'd 'Duke'-although just the man for her il
he in every sense, being blessed with fortune
" good looks, and common sense-had neve
re been able to draw these out, and the anna
en- BILE, conceited Mr. Frank was not willing t
ne believe that she would suffer mere world
n considerations to control the aspirations G
10 her heart
m However one day when he pressed her
We, decide his fate, she said to him with sigh
nd 'Oh, Frank l am sorry we have eve
So metp
at Sorry?
lis Yes; for we must part now
ost Part! repeated Frank, turning pale
ice 1t was evident he had not expected thi
elf Yes--yes, said Kate, casting down ht
IN head with another piteous sigh.
ely Frank sat by her side; he placed his ar
in around her waist, without needing her feeb
to resistance, he lowered his voice and talke
ris- to her until she-proud Kate-wept, we
ted bitterly.
zen Kate said he, then with burst of pa
be- sion, l know you love me but you a
len proud, ambitious, selfish! Now if "
ife- would have me leave you say, say the wo
feet and, 1 CO.
nile Go ! n,urmured Kate, feebly-' CO.
ra- Have you decided? whispered Fran
ast. / have
noi 'Then, love, farewellP ?