Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1858-04-01

Influenced by the fascinations of the sex
generally, and I venture to say, that if l had
happened to meet them before became
acquainted with the present Mrs. Bugbee,
(be it known am married at last there
is no knowing what might happen. l can
imagine Mrs. Bugbee shaking in her shoes
at the mere supposition.
To proceed with my story. The month
slipped slowly away, as all periods of sus-
pense do. 1 should scarcely dare to say
how many mistakes the preoccupied state
of my mind led me to make, auch as re-
turning to customer seventy-five cents
more in change than was due her, which
occasion my employer, the senior Mr.. Ha-
berdasher, severely remarked, that when
l made such mistakes, l should take care
to let them be the other side-that while
giving back too much change was highly
reprehensible, giving back too little would
be venial 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 already full Of
anxious ticket holders, who were alternate
ly elated or depressed by their success or
want of it. l was particularly amused by
a scene which had transpired just before
my own turn came. The applicant before
me was tall lady of thirty mine or therea-
bouts, exceedingly spare, and very prim in
her ways. Though she did not recognize
me, remember to have been introduced
to her as Miss Charity Billings. She was
the very picture of prim. methodical old
maid, and professed to have very low
opinion of oil mankind, possibly because
they had proved so blind 10 her veried at
fractions. I confess l was surprised TO see
Miss Charity in such place, as l had sup
posed that the pomp and vanities of this
world, including Of course filthy lucre, were
as nothing In her sight. However appear
ances are deceitful.
"Your number ma'ams" inquired the
ready clerk.
"567s," primly pronounced Miss Char
ity.
The clerk consulted his list. When he
looked up, his face violently struggled to
retain his gravity
"You have drawn, ma'am," said he "an
elegant rosewood cradle!'
Miss Charity's face turned all colors, and
her embarrassment was considerably in
creased by suppressed laugh, which her
ouick ears did not fail to catch.
"Where shall send it?" inquired the
clerk.
Miss Charity looked undecided, but for
tunately person with speculation in his
eye, stepped up and offered to take it off
her hands at reasonable rate.
Miss Cillings at once recovered her COM
posure, and prepared herself for making
the most of her prize, which she eventually
sold to the man.
"Number 1859" repeated /, taking
my place.
The clerk, after a brief examination,
seized my hand with warmth.
"Sir, congratulate you!" be exclaimed
-"Y on are the fortunate winner of our first
prize!"
1 went home on my head or heels-I
am not quite sure which-not, however,
until l had ascertained that the name of
the young lady whose hand 1 had won was
Ethelinda Blackstone, and that she lived
in Coventry town in Western New York.
When sober second thought came to my
assistance, I could not help regretting the
conditions on which was to become the
enviable possessor of twenty thousand dol
lars. I reflected with a sinking heart that
the lady might be as ugly as Gorgon, in
which case, she would of course, insist on
my performing my part Of the contract.
/ at once petitioned Messrs. Haberdasher
& Co., for months vacation, merely al
leging that important business called me
away. I could not help blushing, when
profered 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, 1
found myself at Oswego, purchasing tick
ct by stage to the Country, which, as was
told, was distant some twenty miles from
that flourishing city. The stage went far
tber, but Coventry was one of the places
on the rout. Opposite me, in the stage
sat a young rosy-cheeked maiden of very
attractive appearance. She was somewhat
demure, withal, and only cast stolen CLAN
ces at me which pretended not to see,
while l, in turn, looked at her whenever 1
could get a chance. Whenever our eyes
CHANGED to meet they were instantly with
drawn. All this was foolish, of course, but
l may allege, in my own defence, that my
opposite neighbor, besides being exceed
ingly pretty, was the only presentable fe-
male in the coach. Close beside her was
spinster, of a5 or thereabouts, with a purs-
ed up mouth, and two flat sections of yel-
lowish hair plastered to each check. Her
nose was long and thin, while she herself
was lankness personified. Add to this a
pair of blue spectacles, and you will readi-
ly imagine that the beauty besid her was
heightened by the contrast.
There appeared, however, to be some
acquaintance between them, as l observed
the young lady speaking familliarly with
her less prepossessing companion.
The road over which we were riding was
rough and hubby. In parts it inclined to
one side so that one part of the coach was
lifted higher than the other. On one of
these occasions the inequality was further
increased by the wheels at the end passing
over a stone. The jolt was such that the
passengers were all violently precipitated
to one side of the coach, and l, much 10 my
surprise, but not at all to my displeasure,