Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-12-29

a" My conscience to think that the daugh
ter of merchant prince should become the
wife of O poor, insignificant clerk als9
:. Nothing very alarming about it, Sophia
it wouldn't be half so ridiculous as another
daughter of merchant prince becoming the
wife OF an exjourneyman barber believe
Mr.. Fitzherbert was your bean ideal of what
a fashionable husband ought TO be.p
The impostor !"
am least sure that Frederick ia not OIL
imposter-a humbug !; one would not be likely
to assume the character of clerk" --r
" Perhaps not. But pray, sister, when dc
you intend to become the wife of this counting
room cherub 2" '-' ~"' = ''s1's.'"
1.-THE day has not been fixed yet-in the
spring, probably" a-s#a ae'E na 1909
And may i ask what you intend to do with
yourself? His salary is only thousand dol
lars year."
I'VE can get along very well on that sum. u
Yes, / suppose so and live in some ten
footer in dark alley |" al- Ii. .ase-
" We intend to live out of town, in O. nice
little cottage"
Yes, a nice little cottage !" drawled So.
phia in derision. Oh, Sis, win show you
how to live when lam married. None of your
nice little cottages for me. But wonder when
the new partner is coming" ., ....-
Papa told me this morning that he had de-
ferred the arrangement till next spring, and
that the gentleman would attend to his business
at the south as heretofore"
How provoking have been reserying
my affections ON purpose for him mean to
make conquest of him i'm just one month I"
" How foolish you talk, Sophia one would
think YOU had entirely forgotten your maiden
delicacy" .,. ...
Pooh /! I'm jesting it's between ms" and
Sophia relapsed into reverie, which, We are
almost sure, related to the aforesaid new part
ner, who was not only nice young man, but
was to put fifty thousand dollars into the con-
Germ when he became partner -
The winter passed away, aud spring came.
Frederick and Mary were to be married in a
few days Mr.. Danvers to the infinite cha
grin OF Sophia, had readily consented to the
match. The proud sister, though in the natu-
raj goodness of her heart she would not have
had Mary's affections blighted, would fain
have had little opposition to save appearances.
The bridal day came, and after the ceremo-
ny had been performed, the happy party star
ted for their new residence i'm the suburbs. So
phia who acted as bridesmaid, was to accom-
pany them.
The carriage wound through an elm-shaded
road, and suddenly brought to view splendid
country residence
That is the cottage" exclaimed the bride.
What-a cottage why Mary, it is pal
ace y replied Sophia, in utter astonishment,
for she never had interest enough in her sisters
affairs to visit her proposed residence.
The carriage stopped before the door, which
was half hidden behind vine-laced portico
and the party alighted.
The place was perfect paradise, and many
were the encomiums layished upon it by the
bewildered Sophia
You cannot think how surprised | was
when first beheld it," said Mary when she
and Sophia were alone 1t seemed more like
a dream of fairy land than reality. But Fred
erick is so very odd about these things"
q should think that he was Why, Sis, it
will certainly ruin him, poor clerk, on d thou
sand dollars salary"
We'll, he knows best he says the rent is
nothing"
Nothing, indeed but it will eat up his
poor pittance"
"Well. gave him lesson on extravaganza,
but he only laughed in my face, and said he
knew what he was about"
But here are Frederick and father am
sure papa has been scolding him for his reck-
lessness"
He does not look us though the scolding
had produced very powerful effect" said
Mary, as she saw her husbands smiling coun-
tenance
What beautiful house " exclaimed So
phia, as Frederick joined the group
A fit nest for my pretty Bird" replied the
husband, gaily, as he chuckied his blushing wife
under the chin
II should think your thousand dollars
year would have to suffer some," said Sophia
bluntly
90, your father has been SO very good as
to elevate me peg, so that | can well afford
to incur the expense"
Yes, my child" interposed Mr. Danvers,
" you know said something about entertein-
ing au angel unawares. Sophia, Mr. Freder-
ick Harlowe is the new partner"
"W hat an abominable cheat, papa I'll
warrant you told Mary of it in the beginning
and she has been busy until the deed is done"
said Sophia.
NAY she knew nothing of it till few days
before his marriage This was all Mr.. Har-
loves whim He must explain it for himself Z"
Mr. Harlowe did attempt to explain his mo-
tive in entering the family iRcog, but it is a lame
explanation. Probably the reader who readi-
ly penetrates the secret thoughts of the hero
of our story, has already OWNED his motive.
He wanted wife, and had the sense to seek
for genuine goodness in preference to name
and position in society. He won the daugh-
ter of a merchant prince as simple clerk !;
there was no doubt that she loved him. Mary
was very much surprised, and perhaps little
chagrined, TO find the romance of marrying a
clerk so suddenly disappear but i'm the wealth
of mutual love, they were richer than in the
smiles of tickle fortune, which had blessed
thep with an abundance of the good things of