Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-07-25
How Godfrey Horton Chose A
Wife.
BY MARY Z. CLARKE.


Godfrey, old boy said Henry Clayton as
he tilted back his chair and put his feet upon
the mantel-piece, "when is the wedding to
be ?'
"WhOse wedding2'
"Miss Laura Somers or JeAny, which is
itg
g do not know, am sure
Now don't be mysterious Godfrey, you
know you are a constant visitor, and all our
set are talking about the match. Don't
pretend you have not selected one Of the
sisters"
Chow do you know either Of them will
have me2'
"Don't be absurd, old boy. You, young
handsome talented, and with large fortune
need not be over bashful. Come, be frank,
which is the favOrite sister,
Well, frankly then, cannot tell you. |
have visited the family for several months, as
you know, but I cannot decide. Laura is
certainly the handsomest, with her flashing
eyes and queenly manner; but Jenny seems,
although the youngest, TO be the most
wOmanly and useful Ofthe two. Yet, can
not be sure ofthat. My entrance is the signal
for cordial welcome and smiles, and, let me
call at whatever hour l will they are always
well dressed. and apparently disengaged. To
be sure I always, in the morning, have to
wait sometime before Laura is visible
"Pop in unexpectedly and notice the inter
nal economy
allow can I? A card at the door will put
any lady on her guard, or even the notice oi
a gentleman visitor
$50 there in disguise. As sawasherwomaH
for instance
"GOod! I will T.
GO there as a washerwoman p cried Clay
ton.
"Not exactly, butt will obtain admlttanct
to morning privacy
A" Well, let me know the result
Laura and Jenny Somers were the only
children Of a widower, who, although il
moderate circumstances, moved in very fash
ionable society. AT the period Of my shor
sketch, he was about TO supply the lamenteC
| Mrs. Somers' place, after nearly ten years
mourning and, although a kind, indnlgeni
/ parent had no objection to his daughters
| marriage, and, indeed, had told them so.-
/ Laura, whose high spirit resented the probable
| supremacy of a step mother, had already
selected Godfrey Horton as her future hus-
band; and Jenny, who was younger ant
! genter in spirit, tried to conquer a carefully \
| concealed preference for the same purpose
/ All his attentions were ascribed by her to
brotherly regard, though every act Of kind
ness or courtesy touched her very heart.
1t was the morning after large ball, anc
| the sisters were in the breakfast-rOom tOgeth
er: Laura her glossy black hair pushed
negligently off her face, with the rougl
| tumbled braids of last evenings elaborate
| coiffure gathered loosely into a comb; wearing
a soiled wrapper, torn stockings, and present
! ing rather an alarming contrast to the bril-
| liant ballroom BELLE was lounging on
/ sofa. Jenny, in q neat morning dress, witt
a large gingham apron, little white collar
! and hair smoothly brushed into a neat knot
was washing the breakfast dishes.
"There is an old man at the door with
some artificial flowers" said the servant
opening the dining-room door, "will you SEE
| him.
"No,n said Jenny.
" Yes, cried Laura, "send him up."
The servant departed to obey the las
| order.
/
! He was poorly clad, with a coarse blue cloak
which was much too large for him. His hal
was white, and he wore a beard and mustach
of the same snowy hue. Making low bow
he placed the large basket be carried on
table and opened it.
@ have a bunch of blue flowers, here,
be said, taking them from the basket, +" tha
will Just suit your golden hair, Miss" and h
held them before Jenny.
"a 1t wasmy sister who wished TO look a
your flowers" said Jenny, quietly.
''Yes, bring them here, was Laura's i'm
! perious command.
The old mans eyes followed Jenny, as sh
washed, wiped, and put away the dishes
swept the room and busted it, and then 50
down beside Laura, who was still looking
over the BASKET.
'See, Jenny this scarlet bunch. viii
not be lovely with a few dark leaves to wea
with my new silk 2"
"But" whispered Jenny, ''yOu can't atfor
it just now"
"Yes I can. Father gave me some none.
yesterday"
'To pay the last dry goods bill"
"WeIl, 1 can have that carried to my pri
vate account"
"Ohl Laura, hate to hear you talk c
that private account. II seems so much Gk
cheating father"
"Nonsensel 1t will stand till am mai
ried, and then I can easily save it out of m
housekeeping money"
81 should not wish to marry in debt, sal
Jenny.
The old peddler looked earnestly at the sii
ters.
"Yeu had better take this blue buncl
Miss, he said to Jenny. 'If it amt conver
tent to pay now, will call again"
eNo, l shall not take them
'They are very. becoming Miss. Look
this glass"
81 wish my hair was light" said Laura
81 should like to wear blue Godfrey Ho
ton said last night, that forget-me-nots wei
his favorite flowers"
Jenny colored, and placing the bunC
again in the basket, said,
"Come, Laura, decide. You are keepir
one waiting whose time probably is valuable
and then passing a chair, she added, 81
seated, sir, you look tired.H
a am tired, indeed, was the reply.
q will take the scarlet bunch, and the
red eamelias, and this white cluster sa
Laura.
'Butsister you cannot afford it,
eyes l can. Godfrey HORIZON is rich
The old man bit his lip.
tThink p said Iennz in a Is,7-sf5,,a rts;f Y,