The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-09-20
ANGLING FOR A HUSBAND.
TRANSLATED BY W. b. II.


She prided herself upon her great insensi-
bility, and her profound indifference had
repulsed all those gallants who had ven
tnred to offer their addresses. The coun-
try was for her veritable retreat she
summed reunions, and was only happy in
solitude. The charms of chosen circle,
the pleasures Of the world, had for her no
attraction, and her favorite recreation was
that OF angling, an amusement worthy of
an unfeeling woman.
She was accustomed evry pleasant day
to station herself at the extremity of the
lonely island Of fChathou, and there, with
book in one hand and her line in the
other, her time was passed in fishing, rea-
ding, or dreaming.
A lover who had always been intimida-
tep by her coldness, and who had never
ventured on aspoken or written declara-
ton, surprised her at her favorite puIsuit
one day when he had come to the island
for the purpose Of enjoying a swimming
bath. He observed her for long time
without discovery, and busted himself with
thinking how he might turn to his ad-
vantage this lonely amusement of ang-
ling. His reveries were so deep and SO
fortunate that he at last hit upon the de-
sired plan, novel expedient, indeed yet
they are always most successful with such
women as pretend to be invulnerable.
The, next day our amorous hero return
ed to the island, studied the ground,
made his arrangements and when Mime
had resumed her accustomed place
he slipped away tua remote and retired
shelter, and after having divested himself
Of his clothing he entered the stream.
An excellent swimmer and skilful di-
vor, he trusted to his acquatic talents for
the success Of his enterprise. He swan
10 the end Of the island with the greatest
Precaution, favored by the chances of The
bank and bushes which huug their dense
foliage above the waters. In his lips was
a note folded and sealed, and on arriving
near the spot where Nine. D-was sit
ting he made dive and lightly seizing
the hook he attached to it his letter.
Mime. D., perceiving the movement
Of her line, supposed that fish was bit
ing.
The young man had retired rs he
came he had doubled the cape which,
extending out into the water, separated
them from each other; and had regaine
his post without the least noise in his
passage under the willows. The deed
Was done.
Mime. D-pulled in her line, and
what was her surprise to observe dang
ling upon the barb Of her hook, not the
expected sinner, but an unexpected lot
ter!
This was, however, triaing, and her
surprise became stupefcatiou when, on de-
taching the trans6xed billet, she read up
ON tho envelope--her name!
So then this letter which she had fished
mp was addressed to her.
This was somewhat miraculous. She
was afraid. Her troubled glance scrurin
lied tue surrounding spaces, but there was
nothing to seen be or heard all was still
and lonely both on land and water.
She Quilted her seat, but took away
tue letter. As soon as she was alone
and closeted with herself and rs soon as
the paper was dry-a paper perfectly wa
terproof, and written upon with indelible
ink, she unsealed the letter and CON-
menced its pesual.
A declaration Of love cried she at the
first words. What insolencel
Still the insolenoe had come to her in
such an extraordinary manner that her
curiosity would not suffer her to treat this
letter an she bad so many others--pitiless-
ly burn it without reading.
No, she read it quite through. The
lover who dated his letter from the bottom
Of the river had skiIfully adopted the al
legory, and introduced himself as gro
terqe inhabitants Of the waters. The "a
bic, was gracefully managed, and with
the jesting tone which ne had adopted
was mingled true, serions, ardent senti-
mcnt. expressed with beauty aad elo-
quence.
The next day &me. returned TO
the island. not with emotioH, and some
trace Of fear. She threw her line without
trembling hand, and shsddsred as,