Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-04-30

the placard--A An alarming Sacriflce--
drew to cur store. amused myself by
picking out particular young ladies', and
representing to myself the possibility
that some of them might be thelady who
was to bring her intended twenty thou
sand dollars
Without dwelling upon this I will on
ly say that ! saw several who II should
have been perfectly willing to marry al
less high figure. l am aware that
some Of my romantic young LADY readers
will shake their heads at this Omission
and brand men mercenary sAiiyw. will
a heart not large enough to be wortl
having. But, my dear young ladies
you must remember that OF that time,
had no particular interest in any young
lady, l was more likely to be Influenced
by the facinations of the sex genercny;
and venture TO say that if | had met
any of you before | became acquainted
with the present Mrs. Bugbee, (be i,
known | am married at last, there is nc
telling what might have happened.
can imagine Mrs. Bugbce shaking in her
shoes at the mere supposition.
To proceed with my story. The month
slipped slowly away, as all periods Of
suspense do. l should scarcely dare tc
say how many mistakes the preoccupied
state of my mind led me to make, such
as returning to customer seventy-fve
cents more in change than was due her
on which occasions my employer, the &C.
nior Mr.. Haberdashcr, severely remark.
ed that when l made such mistakes,
should take care to let them be on the
other side--that while giving back toe
much change was highly reprehensible
giving back too little would be venia
offence which he would readily forgive.
The month at length drew to close
and |. in an excited frame Of mind
walked down to Messrs Shave & Co.'S.
Office in State street. The Office was al.
ready full of anxious ticket-holders, wht
were alternately elated or depressed By
their success or want of it. | was par
ticularly amused by scene which hat
transpired just before my own turn came
The applicant before me was tall lad,
of thirty-nine or thereabouts, exceeding
ly spare and very prim il, her ways.
Though she did not recognize me,
remembered to have been introduced +
her on one occasion as Miss Chart
Billings. She was the very picture of
prim ,,nethodical old maid, and psofcsse
to have very low opinion of all man
! kind, possibly because they had prove
so blind to her varied attractions.
confess | was surprised TO see Miss Char
ity in such a place, as I had suppose,
that the pomp and vanities ofthis world
including of course filthy lucre, were a
nothing in her sight. However appear
ances are deceitful.
Your number, ma'am ?" inquiret
the ready clerk.
5,673," primly pronounced Mis-
Charity.
The clerk consulted his list. Whel
he looked up, his face violently struggled
to retain his gravity.
Oh uANC 1iaWu, uld all, GdAu
"an elegant rosewood cradle"
Miss Charity's face turned all colors
and her embarrassment was considerabl,
increased by suppressed laugh. which
her quick ear did not fail to catch.
Where shall | send it ma am p in
quired the clerk.
Miss Charity looked undecided, bu
fortunately person with speculation il
his eye stepped up and offered to taxi
it off her hands at reasonable rate.
Miss Billings at once recovered he
compcsure, and prepared herself for ma
king the most of the prize, which sh,
eventually sold to the man.
Number IL $3.50 p repeated 1, taking
my place.
The clerk, after a brief examination
seized my hand with warmth.
Sir, congratulate youl" he ex
claimed, "you are the fortunate winner
of our first prize |"
i went home on my head or heels
am not quite sure which--not, however
till had learned that the name OF thu
young lady whose hand | had won wal
Ethelinda Blackstone, and that she LIVED
in Coventry, town in Western New
York.
When sober second thought came Il
my assistance, / could not help regrettinf
the conditions on which ] was to become
the enviable possessor Of twenty thou
sand dollars. | reflected with a sinking
heart that the lady might be as ugly al
a Gorgon, in which case she would o.
course insist on my performing my part
Of the contract
/ at once petitioned Messrs. Haber.
dasher & Co., for months vacation
merely alleging that important business
called me away. could not help blush
ing when ] proffered the request, which
led to meaning looks being exchanged
by the other clerks. None Of them,
however, were in my secret.
One pleasant morning in October
found myself at Oswego, purchasing Q
ticket by stage TO Coventry, which, as ]
was told, was distant some twenty miles
from that fourishing city The stage
went farther, but Coventry was one Of
the places on the route. Opposite Inc
in the stage sat young rosyicheeked
maiden Of very attractive appearance. -
She was somewhat demure, withal, and
only cast stolen glances at me, which |
pretended not to see, while I, in turn,
looked at her whenever I could get a
chance. Whenever our eyes chanced TO
meet, they we're instantly Withdrawn
All this was very foolish Of course /; but