The Port Gibson reveille. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 185?-1857, 1853-05-04
MARRYING A FORTUNE.
by GEO. CANNING NIL.

searching up money-matches for themselves,
until the other half has done with holding the
money. That is fIed fact which no one
will attempt TO call in question.
Tom Turnabout was one of the penniless
ones. Not that it was by any means, the
fault Of bis own, but il merely happened to
be so 1t was an his stars to be poor. And,
what made the matter worse, beside being
poor, per Sc, be was poor barrister-a sit
uation rendered by all odds exquisitely dis
tressing; for a briefless barrister is always
short Of everything from soap to suits.
Tom was, witha, an individual Of more
than ordinary personal attractions-so far as
the opinion Of the majority of the other sex
went-and. upon this opinion he early deter
mined TO found pretty much all bis future
With his affable and exceedingly social man
ners, it would have been no wonder at all if
he did not have to undergo many a pang in
the measurement Of his living bv bis circum-
stances.
AT last, by one Of those most fortunate Of
the dice Of chance Of which we read or hear
but rarely, Tom Turnabout was married, and
TO a lady Of fortune. 1t seemed TO him as if
behoOf alone; and, on his wedding-day, no
man was anywhere to be found, who could
make a show Of larger share Of enjoyment
in prospect.
Matters went off well enough for time
as well. perhaps. as ought to have been ex-
pected; for the briefless barrister" was
now possessed Of a comfortable home, and as
sured of an excellent living together with a
young and pretty wife for Mrs. Euphrasia
Turnabout, as every lady said, qCaS a very
pretty young woman. Her hair curled, her
eyes were Of a jet black, her hand was deli
cate and Of lily-white, and she knew how to
dispense with the most gracious and bewitch-
ing smiles; how could she be otherwise than
pretty and if pretty, likewise amiablel
At least, so thought, for time, Tom Turn
about, Esq, who esteemed himself her liege
lord and master.
But there was one thing that seriously
troubled Tom, and that was, how 10 broach
the subject Of coming into due possession and
management of his wife's property. For this
he had married could it be that be was no
better off now! The thought alone made
him giddy.
He went round and round the subject in
his mind for long time, at each revolution
becoming the more perpexed At no single
time dared he to nerve his courage up to the
effort necessary to be made in order to have
the matter completely understood between
them. Emphrssia bad never attended 10 the
subject Of money, simply going ahead and
managing the household as if she had resolved
to count at least one in Its management aud
classification. Tom had repeatedly hinted to
her about " deposite, /" "bank stocks" tax
es," and all the other minute appurtenances
to the possession Of a fostune, but hitherto. ID
Just no purpose at all +; she made neither rev.
elation nor explauation-least Of all did she
betray her native acutCness, by taking hint
Such a state of affairs was worrying Tom
into ft of desperation, If not to his gTaUe
and he finally made up his mind to come to
an understanding in some way or other, just
as soon as practicable.
So long as it was necessary to keep the
embers of hope alive, he had seduously avoid.
ed all bis former acquaintances, lest he might
too suddenly give a shock to the delicate
nerves of his wife, and to lose his chances al
together; but as soon as he found out that
disguise helped him not whit, he screwed
up bis courage TO venturing bold push that
should settle all. lie finally became con-
vert TO the sentiment SO systematically ex-
pressed by the poet:
"He either fears his fate too much,
Or his deserts are small,
Who dares not put it to the touch
To gain or lose it ALL"
Accordingly he laid himself out to bring mat
ters to head at once.
"Dick," said be to a companion Of his, one
fine afternoon, as they sat together in the Of
fee Of the latter, Dick, I'm IN quandarY."
"a quandary ?"
Yes"
About what ?"
Il want some money"
/" You want money! Why, how much
did you mary, pray 7"
More than shall ever get, fear"
"Well, that's good one But what's
the trouble ?"
do you keep secret :" asked Tom, IN
a whisper.
"Try me and see."
al married money, you know.
Everybody says so, you know"
"And eyeryD0uy utththS 50 Du0 ui0
There's plenty Of money in the case, but un-
luckily there's none to be had cant lay
hold Of it."
"Ha! ha hap laughed Dick in bis face
eYou laugh, but what would you do {"
"What would l do :"
Yes-what shall do ?"
Nothing is easier" replied Dick. :,
al hope not" said Tom; but how shall
I 90 to work = ,..s......
better half 2"
q Haven't dared to; she won't let NE in
fact :"
!. Then run up bill or two" .
Then what :" asked Tom, earnestly.
"Have it sent at such time to the house.
and be sure not to be at home,
"I never Thought Of that.