Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-08-14


lived III Virginia curing the Uialer q
1919. Al an evening party in kichmHnJ,
there were Twelve mothers, twelve daugh.
ters, and ,oierabie sprinkle OF la,hers,
sons, widows ami wt1Uvyrs present, with
Laurie Iodd in their midst; and YOU may
be sure We had Some lUu. ConyersiDg
with an ancient lady, she remarked that
her grandfather when ycgng had sctled
IN Virginia lie became merchan! and
a planter. and grew rich. His agent in
Glasgow was Alexander NcAipiu, to
whom lie consigned Two or three cargoes
of tohacco every year, and received in re-
turn cash, hardware, dry goods, etc. de
had nocEs and herds, men,seryanis, hor-
ses and mules; but one thing he yet lack
cd-he had no pretty wife to sing WIN
him when he came home at nightfahgued
with counting money, and sauaied with
worldly pelf, for he had more OF thai taan
heart could wish. So after winnie, he
concluded to take wife--ss soon as be
could catch one.
But here was the rub, His time was
so occupied with lis business, ;tat he
could not iud time to look abou, him for a
wife, and worse than all, he vas a bash
fDl man. When he saw a maiden OF
twenty advancing in his path, lie would
cross The sreet fearful Of heing killed hy
a shot from her sparkling eyes. But a
remedy was at hand however. He had
often heard his parents speak much IN
praise of the bonny lasses OF Scotland. A
brlOht idea struck him. When lie was
leayinc his Office, his clerk was copying
duplicate order for sundries TO be sent
as par, of the return cargo. lie thought
to himself that be would order Young
lassie for wife, as the last item on the
list. The article was ordered according
ly.
Attle same time lie wrote private
letter tfinstrnr,ions 10 his agent, MICA !
pin, giving ! minute description "l the ar
ticle wanted, as t0 age, height, weaiIh,elc.
In short she must be bonnie Scottish las
sic; to he sent on the return OF his own
ship; her name be on the manifest bill OF
lading, etc. He promised. on arriving to
have her stored in house Of respecta-
bIe widow whom he named. and if agree
able 10 the parties concerned, he would
make her his wife in thirty days at'er her
arrival. If not and she wished to return,
he would pay expenses, loss of time, etc.
When Sandy McAlpin had finished
reading the letter ofinstruclion, lie slowly
removed his spectacles, mutering TO him
self, 1.-The lad (his correspondent, who
was thirty years old is daft; he tells me
10 send him wife, as if she were bar
rel O. sat herrings; guide kens, the fash,
(trouble) was to geta wife for myself.
i'll see what the guide wife says" "a
bright idea.)
Next day Mrs. McAlpin sat in council
with Mrs. A. and B. Invitations were
sent 10 ten matrons. whose daughters
were in and ont of teens, to assemble at
Mrs. McAlpn's lea board. Each mat
ron was requested TO bring with her
daughter who was not ''O'er Young to
Marry Yet" All being present an hour
before tea, McAlpin read the letter and
made an explanation. They then sal
down 10 tea. After tea, each lass gave
her ulimalum, when i! was found that
only three were willing 10 accept The OF
fer. These three agreed 10 draw lots to
decide the preference. Mary Robinson
drew The longest strew, and was hailed as
the bonny bride.