Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-08-29
MIN R U S E
BY LIZZIE ELNWooD.

Heigh.ho !" sighed Minnie Arlin, { what
a plague these lovers arel Particularly if
one is not quito certain whether they are
enamored of ones self or ones fortune. |
wish | knew --" and as she said this,
she glanced ~thoughtfully after the retreating
form of a tall, gentlemanly looking young
man, at that moment passing out of the gate
in front of her fathers mansion.
Minnie was not q beauty, as heroines
usually are, but she possessed a sunny, gleeful
temper, a warm heart, and a we'll cultivated
mind, which amply compensated for all
deficiencies of form and face, so that among
the truly discerning she found many and
warm friends.
As her father was very wealthy, many
s%uitors knelt at the feet Of Minnie, who other-
wise would have sought a ~lovelier BRIDE
But to all she had given q kind, but decided
negative, until she met with Walter Roby,
the visitor who had just bid her adieu. He
was a young lawyer, who had recently com
into the village of Belmont, and who, posses
sing a handsome person, fascinating CONVEX
~sational powers, and bland and agreeable
manners, very soon won the confidence and
good will of the people, and particularly Of
the ladies.
He did not at first, however, notice Minnie
Will muCH dGGenJlOH UUb II Tile COHFSe Vi 4
few weeks, he seemed to be su ldenly enam.
ored, and soon became very attentive.
Though Minnie was much fattered by this
apparent devotion of the handsome lawyer,
yet she had a large share of that rare, but
important article, common sense and as she
suspected that this assiduity did not arise
wholly from a love of her own rather plair
self, she determined to prove her. lover. HI
had, this very day, made her the offer of hi
heart and hand, and begged hers in return
but Minnie had given him this reply, Mr.
Roby, | am not prepared to answer you i'm
mediately-I shall require at least two week
to reflect upon He was somewhat daunte,
by this cool answer to his rather ~eloquen
and ardent proposal for he deemed hi
handsome person Irresistible. He urged he
for a shorter probation but she would no
relent, only telling him that if she decide
before the time had expired, she would inforr
him.
Minnie sat long in her room that nigh
devising some means to ascertain his res
sentiments. She thought if she were onl
handsome, she might rest assured that h
loved her; and then she could return tha
love. She revolved many schemes, bnt nor
seemed plausible and finally, when the be
chimed twelve, she retired, resolving in til
morning to impart her trouble to her fathe
and implore his aid, for she was motherles
Morning dawned, and Minnie arose unrt
freshed and pale. As the breakfast bell ran
she greeted her father at the foot of the stat
way. What ails my birdie this morning
/; he said, as he gave her his accustomed kis
will tell you after breakfast, papa repli'
, Minnie. Accordingly, when the meal W
finished, she twined her arm within his, al
! accompanied him to the parlor, where she u
folded to him her suspicious, plans, al
hopes. Minnie's father was not surprise
Mr.. Roby had applied to him to sanction /
contemplated proposal to Minnie and
II Mr.. Arlin thought him a worthy, talent