The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1858-07-02

me mercenary fellow, with heart not
large.enough to be worth having But, my
dear young ladies, you must remember
that, as at that time l was more likely to
be influenced by the sex generally, and
venture to say, that if had happened to
meet the present Mrs. Bugbee, (be it
known am married at last, there is no
knowing what might happen can i'm
agine 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. | should scarcely dare to say
how many mistakes the pre-occupied state
of my mind led me to make, such as re-
turning to a customer seyenty-fve cents
in change more than was due her, on which
occasion my employer, the senior Mr.
Haberdasher, severely remarked, that
when | made such mistakes, | 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 venal offence which he
could readily forgive.
The month at length drew to a close,
and |, in an excited frame of mind, walk
ed down TO Messrs. Shave & Co.'S Office
in State street. The office was already
full of anxious ticket-holders, who were
alternatiyely elated or depressed by their
success or want of it. l was particularly
amused by u scene which had trauspired
just before my own turn came. The ap-
plicant before me was tall lady of thirty
nine or thereabouts, exceedingly spare,
and very prim in her ways
Though she did not recognize me, re-
member to have been introduced to her
on one occasion as Miss Charity Billings.
She was the very picture of a prim, meth
odical old maid and professed to have a
very low opinion of all mankind, possibly
because they had proved SO blind to her
varied attractions | confess | was sur
prised to sec Miss Charity in such place
as had supposed that the pomp and van
tiles Of this world, including of course,
filthy lucre, were as nothing in her sight.
However, appearances are deceitful.
"Your number, ma am 2" inquired the
ready clerk,
"se72 primly rrorounc@d Miss
Charity.
The clerk consulted his list. When he
looked up, his face violent struggled to
retain his gravity.
"you have drawn, ma'sm," said he,
"an elegant rosewood cradle ~
Miss Charity's face turned all colors,
and her embarrassment was considerably
increased by a suppressed laugh, which
her quick 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 Of
her hands at a reasonable rate,
Miss Billings at once recovered her
composure, and prepared herself for ma
king the most of her prize, which she
eventually sold to the man.
"Number II 500 ~ repeated ], taking
my place.
The clerk after brief examination,
seized my hand with warmth.
I" Sir, | congratulate you? - he exclaim-
ed" You are the fortunate winner OF
our first prize ~
| went home on my head or heels
am not sure which--not, however, until
had ascertained the name of the Young
lady whose hand | had won Ethelinda
Blackstone, and that she lived il Coven-
try, town in Western New York.
When sober second thought came to
my assistance, | could not help regretting
the conditions on which | was TO become
the inevitable possessor of twenty thou
sand dollars. | reflected with 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. Haber-
dasher & Co., for months vacation,
merely alleging that important business
called mo away. could not help blush
ing, when l proffered the request, which
led to meaning looks being exchanged by
the other clerks. None of them, how.
ever, were in my secret
One pleasant morning in October, |
found myself at Oswego, purchasing a
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 me in the
stage sat a young rosy-cheeked maiden
of very attractive appearance. She was
somewhat demure, withal, and only cast
stolen glances at me, which pretended not
not to see, while |, in turn, looked at her
whenever / could get ch ance. When.
ever our eyes CHANGED 20 meet, they were
instantly withdrawn. All this was very
foolish of course but may allege, in ny
own defence, that my opposite neighbor,
besides being exceedingly pretty, was the
only presentable female in the coach
Close beside her was a spinster, OF thirty.
FIVE or thereabouts, with pursed up
mouth, and two fat sections of yellowish
hair plastered 70 each cheek. Her nose
vas long and thin. whila che harsalf Ia.