Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-02-01
Gbe storp GtlIfr,
THE SOUTH CAROLINA BELLE
Or
WHO LOST THE WAGER?
CHAPTER l.

My Uncle Ned had set his heart upon mar
rying me to my cousin Rosalia but the thing
savored of compulsion to me, and l made up
my mind to be just as obstinate as the nature
of the case might demand.
[ eonfecs % beids - iitls sentimental. !
have read heaps Of novels in my day, from the
Children of the Abby down to Bleak House,
and the thought of having my uncle pick out
my wife for me, was intolerably repugnant to
my ideas of propriety and the rights of man.
Uncle Ned was jolly old fellow, and
laughed in my face, when l told him / could
not think Of such thing as permitting him to
select my wife for me. looked dgnifed and
spoke dignifed and was not a little pro-
voked when the old fellow haw-hawed right
in my face.
But, my boy, she is as rich as mud-with
an income of eight thousand dollars a year,
said he. Think of that =
my dear uncle, beg you will deem me
above mere mercenary motives, in so important
a matter as this, replied, with seriousness
in keeping with the solemnity OF the topic.
Perhaps you don't mean to take a wife
die an old bachelor-eh!' continued he, punch
ing me in the ribs, as he poured out another
of his abominable outlaws
No sir on the contrary, mean testake
wife Just as soon as l can find one exactly
suited to my mind
And you don't mean to marry girl that
has got any money!
That is perfectly immaterial. AS you are
aware, sir, my fortune is amply sufficient
without the addition of wife,s dowry'
But the money wouldn't do any harm,
would it!'
No; should not object to a lady who
possessed the requisite qualifications, because
she happened to have fortune at her disposal,
though in my estimation it would add nothing
to her fitness TO become my wife
Indeed y drawled uncle Ned, looking at
me with such a funny expression, that l could
not tell whether he was going 10 laugh or get
mad didn't care much for deemed it be-
meath his dignity to attempt an interference in
such delicate matter
But, Bob, Rosale is the most beautiful
girl in South Carolina. There are thousands
of young gentlemen OF the first families at the
south, who would jump at the chance to step
into your shoes
They can do so, sir; | tell you plainly,
she can never be my wife, if she were a peri
and had all South Carolina for her dowry,'
said ], with dignifed earnestness.
Whew =
Your sneers will be as useless as your
persuasons they shall not move me-
But, Bob, you know her father earnestly
desired that you should be married, before he
died. added my uncle, more seriously.
6 1t matters not, sir ; must be entirely un-
embarrassed in the choice of wife. Let me
tell you plainly, uncle, that, even if I had no
other objection, the mere fact that you have
attempted to draw me into this marriage, were
a sufficient reason for me to decline it.
En- you young puppy, what do you mean
by that q
Just exactly what l say, viz: that l will
neither be led or driven into marriage with
Rosalie think we have said enough about
it,
had begun to talk little coolly He was,
in my opinion, treading upon the prerogative
of freeborn citizen.
What did the old fogy mean! Did he think
hadn't sense enough to choose my own wife
Rosalie was entirely out of the question:
could not, on principle, be driven into mat
rimonial connection, even though the other
party was an angel and had dowry of eight
thousand year.
But, Bob, listen to reason. Ros3ie is
handsome, graceful, and all that sort of thing !;
sings like nightingale, plays the piano and
harp, and can talk French like Parsienne.
1t matters not, sir l object to the princi
pie of the thing, and l repeat, Icannot and ,riA
not marry her.
Bob, you are fool =
.AmIl'
'Pon my word you are; you don't know
which side your bread is buttered.
Enough, sir!
But, Bob, you will pay US that visit, won't
you!'
Certainly but do not fatter yourself |
shall make love to Rosalie; shall go pre-
pared to shun her yes, to be even uncivil to
her. If am, blame yourself for your i'm
pudent interference in my concerns
Saucy puppy' and my uncle laughed.
We were on the most familiar terms.
you are meddler you make me saucv.
trust shall always be prompt in reseptino
any invasion of my natural rights
Hope you will, nv boy but l will bet
you thousand dollars you marry Rosalie.'
Done'
But on one condition
What;
Ihat you come to my estate in South Car
olina with susceptible heart-that YOU are
not engaged to another
Il accept the condition. said I. praspipp
his hand uncle, you have lost the bet
Not yet, Bob wait Bit
1t was rather foolish in the old fellow to
Il Ill A1@ L,k \