The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1855-06-06
CHooslNe A HusBAND.-"Caro you are

CHOOSING A HusBAND-"C Caroline, you are
twenty-one.'' e. z.s ....-- z....
Il know it full we'll, and I assure you no one
regrets it more than myselfssbut really cannet
help laughing at the idea of marrying sir
Thomas Lupton.'
"And why?' said lady Montague, gravely.
''He is a man of good family and excellent es-
tate-highly connected-his mother is the
daughter Of duke, and Ire is a member Of
parliament for the burgh of Dunderton.
Eyes, and SENT us the Dunderton Journal,
containing his election speech, with an account
of how he was cheered, feasted and flattered
on that misunderstanding that sir Thomas,
whatever he may be here, is at least great
man in Dunderton. Nay Say," added the
laughing girl, throwing back the jetty ringlets
that seemed sportvely to fall over her bright
black eyes. ''Pray, my dear mamma, turn to
the tablets again.
''Well, there is young lord Fowerdale."
GA poet and a man of sentiment-writes
pastorals, and told me the other day, with a
simper, that our grandmothers showed exqai-
site taste in being painted shepherdness. The
man may marry his grandmother, an he lists. .
"Caroline, Caroline, pray be serious, lord
Flowerdale, I am convinced, loves you.'
'.The tablets! the tablets! my dear mamma,
l so long to hear the rest Of the list
"The next, then, is captain Bolton of the
guards, prospective heir to a marquisate, and
it is said, has broken the hearts of several la
dies already"
$50 indeed, it is, but until hear some well
authenticated fact of the death having so occur
red-such as the verdict Of a coroner's inquest,
"died by visitation Of captain Bolton" or the
certificate of two respectable physicians, "on
soul and conscience I'll never believe it,"
"Well, really, now, always imagined that
the captain was fayorlte of yours. I'm sure,
! at lady Vernon's rout''--
"He talked to me of nothing but his new
uniform, and during the rest of the evening
stood in lordly silence ir a conspicuous part o.
the room, with his lip curled a la Byron, and
in the attitude of Napoleon storming a brid dge
Pshaw! thought that even you had seen thai
man was fool. But who is next on the st?'
Mr. Doddridge, nephew, you know, to the
| bishop--r, and a rising man in the church
He took high honors at Oxford, and is besides
ar excellent, worthy young man.
Good, perhaps, but prosy, moreover, mann
ma, he wears spectacles and white neckcloth
things to which have an unconquerable aver
young man." as you SO justly observe, and is
admirably qualified to be a friend of the family
| But are these all?"
"There is yet once more" said lady Mon
tague, mournfully-'ssir Roger Templeton."
"a dear good old soul! a second sir Toby
Belch, but, unfortunately, equally dissipated
He would make an excellent uncle. [ don'I
dislike dissipated uncles myself, it seems tc
show that there is spirit in the family-but 4
nearer relationship to such people is bad. Bu
can you really wish me-" said Caroline more
seriously, while her dark eyes frightened with
suddes feeling, could you really wish you,
daughter to marry an old dissipaled man like
sir Roger Templeton?''
Neither SO very old, nor so very dissipatcc
either" replied lady Montague petulently "He
was great friend of your fathers, although
much younger man than he. His habits arr
those of &e old school, and he is one of tn,
wealthiest men in the house of commons, where
he has represented the county of D---fo1
many years.
"And is 'good countryman'' ia spirited
agriculturalist,' and an enlightened, "membe1
of committee on turnpike roads, Ny dean
mamma, | know all his good qualities, as wei
as few of his bad ones-so be assured dc
not reject him ignorantly. But you have con-
cluded your list, now pray lend me the tablets,
and you shall hear mine''
Caroline Montague took up the pencil, and
with hand as white as the ivory tablets which
she held, ID rapidly traced name upon them
then looked at her mother, as i ihesitating
"Well Caroline, proceed
"The first, then, is Edward Hastings''
edward Hastings?" cried the lady Mon
tague, surprise
mir. Edward Hastings" cried the servant,
throwing open the { door, and the gentleman, as
if by magic, stood before them.
Lady Montague drew herself up on her
cushioned chair, and put the tips of her jeweled
fingers into Hastings hand, while Caroline,
with face covered with bushes, permitted him
to seat himself beside her on the sofa, while her
eye glanced restlessly towards her mother,
whose looks were freezing and formal.
''Now | know not" said Hastings, eff you
ought to condole with me for my bereavement
having lost a cousin, as the Scotch say, three
times removed-or congratulate me on the ac
QUESTION Of his title and estate.'
Caroline turned quickly round to Hastings,
and lady Montague's looks relaxed. MAY
ask said erladyship, after araoment's pause,
who this cousin is?"
"sir Thomas Hastings, of Harthurst Moor. -
'|What Harthurst Moor, R--shire?''
'"The very same, and Iassure you, a fortune
was never more unexpectedly acquired, or con-
ferred upon one tbatstood in greater need of it,
than the now present worthy baronet Of that
name.'
Il assure you, Mr.. Hastings-sir Edward, I
mean, said lady Montague, with a face all
smiles and sunshine, Il sincerely rejoice at
your good fortune, and SO l am sure does Caro-
Iine-but," F" continued her ladyship, rising and
looking at her watch, I hope you will excuse
me at present, as have an engagement at"
"Certainly,' % cried Hastings, q beg you will
not remain single moment on my account"
Lady Montague had almost reached the door,
when suddenly turning round, she exclaimed,
"Oh! forgot the tablets.''
"Mamma,' said Caroline, with an arch look,
as she still held them in her hand" "do you
know think'they are turned.'oo
"Give them to me, foolish girl.''
''Nay, let me keep them, they contain list
much wish opreserve.
ssCarOue Won are dataininor mo oo;d 1,l,,