True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-03-19
sMisteIIaap.
SEEKING A WIFE.

- AShhNnAdl was oNCh iNhA 'iS"
It's at the palace Of the Champs Elysees,
sbna il was not TO examine the productions
of universal industry, nor to gather up
the amusing incidents which are always
taking place in the crowd. This eccen-
iric person is well known by the frequent
ers Of the Boulevard des I,sliens, as
dandy of FIVE and thirty, the nherilor of
property producing an income of ten
Thousand francs, and who have nothing to
do, and possessing a sensitive heart, made
up his mind to marry. He was smitten
with the idss, but he had his fears. Foot
ing the bills was what alarmed him.
The enormous expense which women Of
she present day lavish upon their toilet,
caused him legitimate terror. Where
should he find young person modesto in
her tastes who should resist the ruinous
temptations 10 dress How should he
discover this rare merit How Judge Of
her sinririty through the aatiering appear
ances that manageable young ladies know
so well how 10 assume when they are in
the presence Of bachelor!
The exhibition Of industry seemed to
him to be good occasion and an excel
lent field to make this trial. To the pal
ace in the Champs Elysees he went then
TO make his observations, which he kept
up day after day.
He was seen stationed beside the cases
in which were exposed the wonders Of
the jewellers art, or posted in the quarter
where the cashmeres are exposed. Some
times he was found near The rich laces,
and sometimes in the gallery where the
Lyons silks display their magnifcence.
Young ladies' who did not know they
were watched, expressed frankly their
impressions and their wishes before these
wonderful and splendid articles. ~,
what beautiful diamonds, and how lortU-
nate would one be who could marry and
have such,' they cried. %, what admi-
rable cashmeres; will have one like
that in my corbeilIe, and one like that :
But just look at this one 7 %, magnii-
cent, Ivill have that TOO = THAT makes
G,'n.' Ah, well, we have not got half
through The list; a husband who knows
how TO live, could he do less lhun put six
cashmeres into the corbeille 2
Thousands Of young ladies expressing
themselves thus, showing their covetu-
business, their vanity, their vexalion, their
coqueiry, came before him, and every
evening as he Quilted his post, pensive
and melancholy, he said, with sigh;
They are all the same, l must still re.
main bachelor Every day the sad
truth became more evident TO him, which
he bewailed in something like these
words:
'Al The present time, in Paris, gallant
= man who has onl ly ten thousand francs in
come, is not rich enough to marry. He
must elect between celibacy and ruin
But he was wrong to be so obsolale in
his despair, and to include all the mar
riageable ladies in the circuit of his repro
brlion. There are exceptions, at least
there was one.
After three months distressing trial,
the despairing bachelor saw young lady
pass near the diamond case, who only
threw upon the ejewelry disdainful glance
He followed her 10 the cashmeres, she
barely threw upon them a careless look.
Laces stretched ont like nets did not de-
tain her single minute. Rich silk stuls
3 found her Indifferent, she did not honor
them with a glance. But, on the other
hand. this extraordinary young person
stopped long time before the household
utensils; examined them carefully, and
made 10 her mother who accompanied
her, very sensible observations upon the
advantages of those various objects, aud
the economy which would arise from their
use.
The bachelor, enchanted and ravished,
followed this admirable young lady-he
did not breathe freely until he learned
she was not married. He asked her hand,
offered her his ten lhousand--was accept.
ed, and will everlaslingly bless the uni
yersal exhibition-at least he hopes to.