The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1855-07-11
How to Marry an Beiress,


*We must have her fix upon some one, ~ said
an elderly gentleman, who was sitting with one
much inferior in point of age, in one of those
large old fashioned rooms, which belonged to
an ancient family mansion of the old fashioned
gentry, but which in this age of progress are
rapidly disappearing before the spirit which
seems to level with the dust, every relict and
momento of the past. The inhabitants of these
time-honored edifces, unwisely bequeathed
with their old ''homesteads," the tea-destrov-
ing propensties of their children, and its spirit
has become practically illustrated (there being
no more tea left) towards the venerable abodes.
So much by way of episode
The person to whom these few words were
addressed, was a small grey headed and crafty
looking man, who appeared mean enough to
quote an odd saying, ''to tie up the nose of his
bellows whenever be went out, for fear of the
winds escaping during his absence" The lite
tie man was evidently present for the purpose
of discussing and finally adjusting marriage
hot his own, don't think it! for on every fea-
ture of his face was stamped, rubric, the un-
mistakable sign of hopeless bachelorism--but
that of his niece, free, fond and captivating
girl of eighteen. To the observation of her
tather-lt was no less parsonage who had spo-
ken-Mr. Bachelor Bumps ventured no reply
for full ten minutes, and then rousing himself
into show of life, which the magnitude of the
subject awakened, he slowly remarked:
GLOW is that to be effected! You know the
girl is already a finished coquette, and has al
ternately chosen and rejected dozen suitors
Ny life is a perpetual misery to me! and if
something is not decided upon, this very night,
l shall expect nothing else than to hear of her
elopement at the first favorable moment" To
this 'tset phrase of speech his companion
made no answer, but slowly paced up and down
the room in thoughtful mood. An idea seemed
suddenly to strike him, and stopping short in
the middle of the room, he demanded GLOW
long since she saw her cousin Harry, who is
now at college?'
''Don't name that scrap grace, pray" said
Bumps, eve tried him once before. and they
both have an inexpressibe aversion to each
other.'
"He is the man. said her father, s'of all
others-I have the most favorable accounts of
him at college, in fact the tutors declare him to
be a lad of astonishing promise"
"Well! well!'' said her uncle Bumps, "any-
thing to keep her single for five years at least.
Her property is immense, and you know the
conditions of the will
"Hush!" exclaimed both in one breath, a
door leading into the garden stood partially
open and a sound like that of foot-step had
alarmed the speakers who sat gazing at each
other in blank despair. Bumps was a,e first to
rise, and making for the door, peered out into
the darkness till his eyes ached again but seeing
nothing, be reGntered the apartment. He
closed the door after him, and both of the colo
quists dropping their previous undertone, began
to converse in key painfully loud to any one
but a fit subject for deaf and dumb asylum
They discussed such matters as the ''tariff, u
'joint occupation,' &c, until late hour. and
a casual listener would have been surprised
| considering the dryness Of the themes, at the
hearty and boisterous laughter which the sub
jects under discussion appeared to excite.
Take glass of wine before you CO." sale
Bumps, to his visitor, as he rose to depart
Here is some old pale sherry" and then low
ering his voice very much like an "aside'' in a
play he asked, "Didn't YOU hear foot step?''
"How old?'' said Mr.. Fleming
Eyes. All! ah vintage Of, of 1884, -
replied Bumps, in a loud voice
lit couldn't have been her, said Mr. Elem
ing in whisper. Bumps CONSERVATION was
at that pitch, which forbade reply, and so they
parted for the night.
The reader is by this time fully aware that
Fanny Fleming was an helress, but besides that
of gold, she had that precious dover, a woman's
heart in her bosom, and the priceless inheri-
tance of beauty that would put to shame all
attempts at description. An old maiden aunt
had died two years previous and left her the
whole of her large wealth, but with such con-
dltions as to preclude all control over it, until
her marriage. AS may be supposed, the inter-
est of the estate was also large, and left in the
hands of her uncle and guardian nice douceur
at sle expiration of the year. Their interest
was greatly augmented by her interest, which
they could claim as long as they could devise
any possible way of keeping her single. This
trifing circumstance fully explains the points of
the foregoing chapter. They were desirous Of
fixing her affections upon some specific suitor,
and then her father could object, as long as it
suited his purpose. But five years was pro-
baton which the spirited girl had no idea Of
submitting to, especially to crafty such base
and mercenary feelings.
Think of father practising such schemes
with his own child! Ifthey coveted her wealth,
why not take it? Why make its involuntary
possessor the victim of their cupidity? To
Fanny, their designs were as transparent as
water from the very commencement and it fully
explains poor Bumps ''misery." She kept him
trotting about the whole city after her, from
morning till night, and being beset by all the
"illustrious obscure" geniuses of the place, she
used them as the means of torturing her prose-
cutors. Pretty Fanny Fleming! The possess
or of that heart upon which the shadow of
thine always rests, will soon appear to rescue
thee from dilemma
Harry Clayton had been before his absence
from home, the person marked out for this sor-
dld immolation. He was an own cousin to
Fanny, they had played together when chill
dren, and as the strength of mind and heart
developed in him, so did the affluent nature of
the girl instinctively catch glmpses of its work
ings, and learn to cherish and look for its sup
port
Admiration for his noble and lofty aspira
lions after name and fame, which she might
share, had its effect upon her susceptible nature
and it ripened into regard. Harry had been
at cotIatrp throa roorc and wac now IN tho