The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1858-05-19
Mistellanfous,
FRANZ LEES ENGAGEMENT.
A CHAPTER FROM REAL LIFE.

A CHAPTER FROM REAL LIFE.
WAT l am going to relate is not very
startling or 'thrilling," as the minor crit
les say; but it is substantially true, and
may interest the lovers of that species Of
writing.
Frank Lee was fine fellow, who had
lately commenced the practice of law in
our city and after filing quite number
of declarations" in the courts, the youth
full barrister, following the wont of his
guild in all ages, had made another spe-
cies of declaration to young lapy whose
name was Miss Ellen Orsin; and it was
soon understood that himself and the dam
sci, who was of the highest fashion, were
duly engaged to be married.
One afternoon about dusk, Frank care
carefully locked bis office, and sought the
bachelor lodgings of his friend Tom Wells
by. Tom had lately returned from Eu'
rope-was an extremely handsome dandy
of twenty-eight or thirty-and possessed
all those elegancies of manner which am
told characterize invariably the Travelled
man.
"Delighted to see you, Frank" was the
salutatiou of Mr.. Tom Wellsby, as he hall
rose from the sofa, upon which he had
been lying, wrapped in an elegant silk
dressing gown and extended his hand
.'but what in the world are you doing
with that immense comfort around your
neck Z"
a take the night train down home,
where I shall be for a week or two" was
the young mans reply, Us he lit cigar,
sand have favor to ask of you before
l CO."
at is granted"
"That's like real friend, Tom-an1
I'll conceal nothing. You must know
:hen that l am eIgaged"-
"Ah! yes--and you wish me-
"To attend in my place, during my alb
sence."
"Nothing will give me more pleasure,
my dear boy-pray who is it?"
"Miss Ellen Orsin."
"Ah!--a young lady Of the best sty'e
l think, and rich"
"Yes: very sprightly too, and you will
not have disagreeable time"
Mr.. Wellsby nodded, and said:
"That makes no difference, Frank
but even at the risk of appearing both
vain and presumptuous, must be per
mitted to make single observation"
~ listen"
"Women are strange creatures. F" contin
ued Mr.. Tom Wellsby, smoothing his
graceful mustache with a foppish Dir, "aud
it is impossible to count upon them.-
Don't be angry-but are you quite a
ease in trusting your lady-love to me
Suppose she falls in love with me-or re
versing the idea, suppose / fall in love
with herr"
Frank Lee smiled and replied:
am not a. all afraid"
awe can't calculate certainly upon wo
men-they are so capricious."
ado you think so! But am willing
to risk the chance"
avery we'll, Frank, it is at your peril
My friendship for you will make it quite
impossible for me to become enamored o
Miss Ellen, and run against you; honor
bright and there's not particle of danger
there. But women have ridiculous pre-
ference for men Of my style. you see, Tn
thinking loud, and if your lady-love for
gets you, don't come here and murder
me-"
Again, am willing to risk it." sale
Frank, laughing, as he gszed at the in
imitably foppish Mr.. Tom Wellsby, "ss
it's all agreed, and mast get on"
The young men then shook hands ane
separated.
Frank Lee remained absent for three
weeks, and on his return, looked decided
ly gloomy. One morning he looked
| gloomier still, as he perused letter which
his servant brought from the post office
He read the letter again-folded it care
fully, placed it in drawer, and then RI
sing, began to pace up and down bis of
flee. buried it seemed il absorbing ane
sorrowful reflection.
He was interrupted by the entrance Of
Tom Wellsby, who was clad in the heigh
of the fashion, and carried his whalebont
cane, with exquisite grace as he strolled
along.
"Ah! you've returned, have you
Frank" he said; "rm glad gift I giyt
up my charge"