Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-06-20
THE SOUTH CAROLINA BELLE;
OR WHO WON THE WAGER.

THE SOUTH CARULlNA BELLE,
OR WHO WON THE WAGER.
NV Uncle Ned had set his heart upon mar
rying me to my cousin Rosalie, but the thing
savored of compusion to me and made up
my mind to be just obstinate as the nature
OF the case might demand.
Uncle Ned was a Jolly old fellow. and laugh
ed In my face when told him that could
not think of such thing as permitting him
to select wife for me. | looked dignified
and felt dignified and was not little morti
fled when the old fellow haw hawed right in
my face.
"But my boy, she's as rich mud, with an
income of eight thousand a year. Think OF
that.'
ssMy dear Uncle, beg you will deem me
above mercenary motives in so important
matter as this" I replied with seriousness
In keeping with the solemnity of the topic dis
cussed.
Perhaps you don't mean to take a wife-dc
an old bachelor-eh ?'' continued he, punch
ing me under the ribs, he poured forth a.
mother of his abominable outlaws.
aNot so; on the contrary, l mean to take a
wife just as soon as can find one exactly suit
ed to my mind.'
"And you don't mean to marry girl that
has got any money ?''
ssThat is perfectly immaterial. sir, as you
aware that my fortune is amply sufficient
without the addition of wte's dowry."
would it?''
ssNo, should not object to lady who pos
.sessed the requisite qualifications because she
happened to have fortune at her disposal
though IN my estimation it would add nothing
to my wife,
'sIndeed 7'' drawled Uncle Ned, looking at
me with such funny expression that could
not tell whether he was going to laugh or get
mad. / didn't care much, for deemed it be-
meath his dignity TO attempt any interference
IN such a delicate matter.
"But Bob. Rose is the most beautiful girl in
South Carolina. There are thousands of young
gentlemen of the first families in the State who
would gladly Jump at the chance to step into
her shoes.''
"They can do so, 81; ; l tell you plainly she
can never be my wife if she were pearl and
had all of South Carolina for her dowry,'' said
with dignifed earnestness.
"Whew 20
"Your sneers, sir will be as useless as your
persuasions they shall not move me-"
"But Bob, you know that your father ear
nestly desired you should be married before
he died. added uncle more seriously.
ssIt matters not, sir; / must be entirely un-
embarrassed in the choice of wife. Let me
tell you plainly, that even if l had no other
objection, the mere fact that you have attempt
ed to draw me into this marriage were a suffi-
cient reason for me TO decline it,
ssEh! you young puppy, what do you mean
by that ?''
"Just exactly what say, namely, that [
will neither be led or driven into marriage
with Rosale. | think we have said enough
about it.''
i began to talk more cooly. He was in my
opinion, eading upon the prerogative of a
free born citizen.
What did the old fogy mean ? Did he think
j hadn't sense enough TO choose my own wife?
Rosalie was entirely out of the question:
ylripc ipIa ha = riy irtr
rimonial connection, even though the other
party was an angel and had dowry of eight
thousand year.
ssMr. Bob, listen to reason. Rosalie is
handsome and graceful, and all that sort of
thing; sings charmingly, like nightingale /;
plays on piano and harp, and can talk French
like Parisienne.''
ssIt matters not, sir; 1 object to the prrci-
pie OF the thing, and l repeat, cannot nor will
not marry her''
ssBob, you're fool.''
cam 2''
ssPon my word you are you don't know on
which side your bread is 5uttered.''
sEnough sir"
ssBut, Bob, you will pay us that visit won t
you2''
.sCertainly but do not flatter yourself, on
your impudent interference in my concerns
s'Saucy puppy !" and my uncle again
laughed.
We were on the most familiar terms.
tsYou are a medder you make me saucy.
trust shall always be prompt in resenting
an invasion of my natural rights
"Hope You will, my boy; but will bet you
thousand dollars you marry Rosalie.''
ssDone 20
"But on one condition.
ssWhat 2''
"That you come to my estate in South Car
DINA with susceptible heart-that you are
not engaged to another"
ssI accept he condition. said I, grasping
his hand, 'suncle, you've lost the bet''
"Not yet, Bob, wait bit''
1t was rather foolish in the old fellow to
make such bet; that was SO sure 1 could
resist the attractions of my cousin, even tho
she should prove to be Venus, that copsid-
cred the money already mine, and what was
far better to me, that had won the victory
over him.
That night uncle Ned started for his planta-
tion in South Carolina.
My father died three years before this con-
versation, leaving me an ample fortune. His
Two brothers had been in South Carolina for
thirty years, where the father of Rosalie died,
leaving my uncle Ned her guardian.