Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-02-16


Mr.. Stanfied, consistently with his natural and
acquired Incidence of mind, abandoned them for
the more agreeable occupation of his favorite be-
raldic studies.
The visits of Parson Bell he at first considered
intrusive, but every man is assailable when bis
weak side is known. Reginald Stanfelds might
| have been perceptibe to child, and wasthere.
fore sufficiently open to the cunning divine, who
Piled him so successfully with fattery, and rem
dered himself so agreeable by the civilities of
Lending him books, newspapers, magazines, and
sending him occasional presents of game and fish,
that the favor of the old squire was completely
propitiated; and he at length heard without dis
| pleasure, though certainly with some surprise,
his neighbours proposal for Selina's hand.
The lover talked of settlements on his futur
bride, and represented, in many tempting terms,
the increase of comforts that must accrue to Mr..
Stanfeld himself from the connection. The slight
objections urged by the father of the young beau
ty, on the score of disparity of age, were easily
| answered. Selma was summoned and after a
suitable preamble, the old squire presented the
Rev. Joseph Bell to her in due form, as the gen.
| tleman whom he designed for her future husband.
| Selma stood aghaSt at a communication so truly
unexpected; then, after moments recollection.
exclaimed with great naauete: Dear papa, you
have mistaken me for Aunt Bridget. Mr.. Bell is
her lover, not mine. I'll 60 and call herr and,
without paying the slightest regard to the expos
tulations of her antquated sutton or the anger of
her father, she darted out of the room and with
GREATNESS haste sought her aunt, whom she des-
patched to join the astonished pair in the study.
AS may naturally be supposed, the squire and
the worthy ecclesiastic were wholly unprepared
| for so unprecedented a proceeding on the part of
a.young lady when receiving proposal of mar
riage. But Selma knew nothing of the world or
| its forms, and when surprised out of her acquired
habits of romance, she invariably conducted her.
self in most original manner. Whilst under
the influence of these feelings, her first impulse
was to avail herself of the respite she had inge-
niousy procured, to seek her youthful lover; and
acquaint him with the scene that had Just taken
place. Albert Orlando, who loved her with all
the ardor of which young warm heart is capa-
| Bile, and who was, withal of more shrewd and
observant character than herself, saw much occa-
| sion for alarm when he considered the circum-
stances Of the case, and reflected that Mr.. STAN
field might have accepted from his designing neigh
Dor pecuniary obligations, which there could be
no means of repaying otherwise than by the sa-
crifce of Selina'S hand.
| Selma who observed the change of his counte-
nance, assured him that there was not the SLIGHT
est cause for uneasness, as her heart was unalte-
raby his; and protested her antipathy to her
middle aged lover in terms sufficiently energetic
to have made figure in tragedy, or a rnelodra-
ma at the least.
'Oh, but circumstances may, and I fear will
compel you to become his wife, my sweet Selma
said young Fisher despondingly.
albert, if | thought such thing possible,
would elope with you this very night, and thus
put it out of the power even of fate to entail up
on me destiny so full of wo.'
| Albert, with deep sigh, cut short this roman
tic efusion, by producing the whole of bis world
! ~ wealth, consisting of IS. 4ad-not half enough
as he observed to cover the expenses of their
marriage by bans; and then what resource had
either of them for maintenance Selma, in d.
rect terms, proposed that Albert should become
either pirate or a bandit.
my love- replied the young man, laughing,
'either of those highsounding but villainous pro-
LESSONS, even if practicable in these days. would
conduct me post haste to the gallows.'
ooh, but you do not know what interesting peo-
pie pirates and brigands are p
| very grand sort of fellows in the pages of ro-
nance, will allow, Selma; but Heaven defend us
both from the acquaintance and principles of such
gentry in real life.'
But what other resource have you, Alberto
Heaven be praised, very substantial one, my
dear girl ! said the young man, in cheerful Tone
Patience pretty Selma, and you will yet be
mine; but before can indulge the rapturous hope
OF calling you my own, | must pass some years
of patient expectations in active and industrious
exertons.'
| Selma, of course, eagerly demanded an expla-
nation, which Albert Orlando gave, by putting
into her hand letter, received that morning by
his mother, from distant relation, who was es-
tabshed in prosperous business as hosier
and draper in Norwich The contents were as
| follow -
DEAR MADAM take the liberty of addressing
you, in consequence of letter from the reverend
minister of your parish, Mr. Joseph Bell, dated
the first of this present month. in which he in-
forms me that you have been left with large fa-
my in very destitute condition, by the death
of my deceased kinsman. and that your eldest
son in particular, whom he describes as fine lad
of eighteen, writing good hand, and clever at
accounts, has been, owing to your straitened cir
cumstances, brought up without business, and
likely in consequence, to fall into idle disorderly
| habits, though he represents him as steady mo-
dest, respectable youth, which I have great plea
sure in learning; and beg leave to say, my dear
madam. that, as relation of the family, and
| single man without any encumbrances, | shall
consider it my duty to take him by the hand
Luckily vacancy for an apprentice in my well
established house of business, occurs at this time,
which affords me the opportunity of serving the
lad in the most essential manner, by taking him
into my own family and shop, where, if he thinks
proper to behave himself in praiseworthy man
ner, it will be much to his own interest, as am
getting into years, and may possibly, if he prove
deserving of my favor, and clever in the business,
take him into the firm as junior partner Wait
ing your reply, am, dear madam, your humble
| servant, RALPH FISHER
what do you think of that, my pretty Sell
nag demanded Albert Orlando, in tone of ex-
utation.
4 think !! echoed Selma dsdanfully, all the
| pride of the Stanfields flushing her countenance
as she spoke: 4 think that, We're l man, would
rather die than condescend to become hosier's
apprentice
Then, of course, you would never condescend
to become the wife of man who had filled
such situation retorted Albert Orlando, with
| great pique.
Selma was silent.
Miss Stanfield,' resumed thesyoung man, sthe