Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1860-08-08
MISCELLANEOUS.
HOW GODFREY HORTON CHOOSE
HIS WIFE.
BY MARY Z. CLARKE.

as he tilted back his chair and put his feet
upon the mantlepiece, when is the wedding
to be?'
Whose wedding?'
Miss Laura Somers, or Jenny, which is
it?
L DO not know, am sure
Now don't be MYSTERIOUS, Godfrey; you
know you are constant visitor and all 'our
set are talking about the match Don't pre-
I tend you have not selected one of the sis
ters'
How do you know either OF them will
have me?'
Don't be absurd. old boy You, young,
handsome. talented, aud with large fortune,
need not be over bashful. Come, be frank,
which is the favorite sister,"
Well, frankly then, L cannot tell you.
/ have visited the family for several months,
as you know, but L cannot decide. Laura is
! certainly the handsomest, with her flashing
| black eye and queenly manner, but Jenny
seems, although the youngest, to be the most
wOmany and useful of the two Yet, ] can
not be sure of that. My entrance is the sig
! nal for cordial welcome and smiles, and let
me call at what hour L will, they are always
well dressed and apparently disengaged. To
be sure, L always in the morning have to
wait some time before Laura is visible
'POp in unexpectedly and notice the inter
nal economy
How can L? A card at the door will put
lady on her guard, or even the notice of a
gentleman visitor
Go there in disguise. As washer wom-
an for instance
Good | willr
'Go there as a washerwoman,' cried Clay
ton.
Not exactly; but 1 will obtain admittance
to morning privacy
Well, let me know the result
Laura and Jenny Somers were the only
children of widower, who, although in mod
crate circumstances, moved in very fashiona-
Die society. At the period of my short
sketch, he was about to supply the lamented
Mrs Somers' place, after nearly ten years of
mourning, and although a kind, indulgent
parent, had no objections TO his daughters
marriage. and. Indeed had told them So
Laura whose high spirit resented the probable
supremacy of a step mother, had already Sc
lccted Godfrey Horton for her future hus-
band. and Jenny, who was younger and gen.
tier IN spirit, tried to conquer carefully con-
cealed preference for the same person All
his attentions were ascribed by her to broth
erly regard, though every act of kindness and
courtesy touched her very heart.
It was the morning after a large ball, and
the sisters were in the breakfast-room together
Laura, her glossy black hair pushed negli-
! gently over her face, with the rough tum-
| bled bralds of last evenings elaborate coiffure
| gathered losely into comb, wearing soiled
wrapper, torn stockings, and presenting rath-
er an alarming contrast to the brilliant ball
room belle, Was longing on a sofa. Jenny,
IN neat morning dress, with a large ging-
ham apron little..white collar, and hair smooth
! ly brushed into 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. said Jenny.
Yes cried Laura. ''send him up
The servant descended to obey the last or
| DER.
He was poorly clad, with coarse blue
cloak, which was much to large for him.
His hair was white, and he wore beard and
mustache of the same snowy hue. Making
low bow. he placed the large basket he
carried on a table and opened it.
Il have bunch of blue flowers here,' he
said. that will just suit your golden hair,
Miss and he held them before Jenny.
1t was my sister who wished to look at
your flowers, said Jenny quietly.
Yes, bring them here,' was Laura's i'm
perious command. The old mans eyes fol-
lowing Jenny, as she washed, wiped and pot
away the dishes, swept the room aud busted
1t, and sat dswn beside Laura, who was still
looking over the basket
See, Jenny, this scarlet bunch. Will it
not be lovely with few dark leaves to wear
with my new silkF
But whispered Jenny, ''you can't afford
it just now.'
Yes, l can. Father gave me some money
yesterday"
TO pay the last dry Goods bill'
We'll, L can have that carried to nv pri-
vate account
oh! Laura, hate to hear you talk of
that private account. 1t seems so much like
cheating father
'Nonsensel it will stand till l am married,
and then L can easily save it out ofmy house
keeping money
Il should not wish to marry in debt said
Jenny.
The old pedlar looked earnestly at the two
sisters.
You had better take this blue bunch. Miss
he said to Jenny. eff it amt convenient to
pay for it now, l will call again.
No, shall not take them
They are 7ery becoming, Miss. Look in
this glass
L wish my hair was ligt,' said Laura
Il should like to wear blue. Godfrey Hor-
ton said last night that forgct-me-nots were
his favourtie flowers
Jenny colored aud placing the bunch again
in the basket, said:
Come, Laura, decide. You are keeping