The North-Carolinian., 1859-04-30

TIE NORTH CAROLINIAN.
FAYETTEVILLE. N. e.
From the Family Journal.
Why 7 am a Bachelor.
BY ONE OF THE SMITH FAMILY.

BY ONE OF THE SMITH FAMILY.
My name is Smth-John Smith. / am sixty
years of age next birthday and unmarried.
have been in love, ,however-hopeless:y in love
and yet am a bachelor. Why l am so, /
have now to tell.
During my young days, I had time to
think Of the other sex. 1 determined l would
make my fortune first, and see about wife
afterwards. l worked and strove-accumula-
ted aud denied myself the most harmless pleas
fast expected, aud 1 had reached forty
years of age before / thought was justified in
looking about me for wife.
When the time came, l set about my task
earnestly. am business man and always go
to work Systematically. In the first place. !
looked all through my acquaintance and
friends. They were not numerous, and soon
found there were no young ladies amongst them
who would suit me.
Then | tried the boarding house scheme, by
which mean, I advertised for board-and an
swered all the replies i'll person. Whenever l
saw any young girls in a house, there L took
board-but none of them would suit me. At
last | received all answer to my advertisement
from widow lady with one daughter. l called
at the house and was ushered into an elegantly
furnished parlor where young lady was seated
playing the piano. In spite of Shakespeare s
denunciation of a man who has no music i'll his
soul, l never had any music in mine. l don't
know Yankee Doodle from Old Hundred-and
yet, strange to say, the music sounded quite
pretty as it tri4kled from her fingers. She did
not hear me enter, SO continued to play. L
listened for some Minutes and then coughed
gently She turned her head, and with blush,
rose from her seat I think l had never seen
SO beautiful girl before. She was not more
than eighteen years of age-tall and graceful
her form beautifully rounded-dprk auburn
hair, which hung in natural ringlets OH swan
In short he hpT
performed the imaginary pantomime OF slappng
my trowsers pocket, and exclaimed mentally,
/" Here's gal for my money"
did you want to see my mother Z" asked
the lovely creature in a musical voice.
Have l the pleasure of speaking to Miss
Clarkson ?' l asked.
I" Yes, sir"
{" have called. madam, in reference to a
note received believe from your mother
stating that you wished to take single gen.
tleman to board with you"
Yes, sir will call my mother"
n Il "a minute MN @ Or % Two aiteTwaras @ m the mother
entered the room. If the daughter was pretty
the widow was decidedly ugly. She was past
forty, thin, scraggy, wore false teeth aud false
hair When l looked at her l almost felt
tempted to leave the house-but then 1 gazed
at the daughter, and determined to remain.
The prelmnaries were soon arranged, and the
next day took up my abode under the roof Of
Widow Ciarkson.
l soon felt quite at home, and determined to
make myself as agreeable possible. l was
polite to the mother, tender to the daughter
and evidently pleased the old woman, for ate
but little. Our evenings were very pleasant
"a young friend of the family used to drop in
occasionally, aud we played whist. The young
man cousin to the family-a rather pleas
ant young fellow, and the time passed very
agreeaby away.
In the meantime prosecuted my suit earn
estly. l have always held it as an axiom, that
if you want to succeed with the young branches
of family, you must pay attention to the head
there is nothing like procuring " friend at
court" This plan 1 followed. 1 was very
polite to Mrs Clarkson l waited her at
table 1 escorted her to the theatre and opera,
and read to her Cobb's last. / got on finely
| soon saw that she was very partial to me-
In the meantime l did not neglect my suit will,
the object of my affections. l gazed he:
tenderly pressed her hand Whenever l had
an opportunity, and believed that 1 had made
considerable impression on her young heart
Things went on this way for more than two
months, when thought it high time that
should bring matters to a crisis.
One evening l entered the sitting room and
found the charming girl alone. The cousin had
not yet come, although he now visited the
house every night. This was too good op-
portunity to be lost.
"Miss Clarkson," said 7. approaching her,
'' l wish to have little conversation with you "
~ think guess what it is about" said
she, smiling archly.
You encourage me" replied, glad to find
that my attentions had not been thrown away.
and augurirfg the best results of this cordial
| reception. You think you know my errand
then 2"
Eyes, indeed; your attentions are too pointed
to be mistaken.
"I am gratfed to find you so discerning-''
and took her hand aud now, dear Char
lotte, allow me to call you, since you have
penetrated my secret, only want your consent
to make me a happy man."
Let me set your mind at rest the"' Sill
have no objection whatever"
was rather surprised that she consented SO
readily. I think should have taken 1t better
/ if she had been little more coy IN the matter
"Dear girl !" / exclaimed, and claiming
lovers privilege, kissed her cheek. She did not
make the slightest opposition.
"You consent, them" l exclaimed :" that
shall be your protector through life ?"
"You are very kind, sir" Ieturned the fail
girl as said be ore, have no objection
thought she very cold in her language
but put it down to maidenly modesty.
+ Charlotte, your consent has made me th'
happiest of men when shall the ceremony tax
place 20
Don't you think mamma had better answe
that question? You had better consult he
upon that matter"
i sTrue nv dear child admire vonr de1icac