Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1860-09-20
SELECT STORY.
HOW HE CHOSE A WIFE.
BY MARY E. CLARK.


"Whose wedding TO be!''
Miss Laura Somers, or Jenny, which it is 2"
lido not know, am sure"
"Now don't be mysterious, Godfrey, you
know you are constant visitors, and all sour
set are talking about the match. Don't pre-
tend you have not selected one Of the sisters"
"How do you know either of them will have |
me 2"
Don't be absurd, old boy. You, young, |
handsome, talented, and with large fortune, |
need not be bashiul. Come, be frank which is
the faVorite sister?'
swell, frankly then, cannot tell you. |
have visited the family for several months, as
you know, but | cannot decide. Laura is GER
tainly the handsomest with her flashing eyes
and queenly manner; but Jenny seems, although
the youngest, 10 be the most womanly and USE
ful of the two. Yet, cannot be sure of that.
My entrance is the signal for cordial welcome
and smiles; and let me call at what ever hour
will, they are always well dressed, aud ap-
parently dsengaged. To be sure always, in
the morning, have to wait some time before
i Laura is visible"
"PoP in unexpectedly and notice the inter-
nal economy"
SHOW can [! A card at the door will put
any lady on her guard, or even the notice Of a
gentleman visitor I"
8 Go there in disguise; as washerwoman,
for instance"
"Good will"
Go there as a washerwoman !" cried Clay
ton.
/" Not exactly, but will obtain mornings
privacy"
"Well, let me know the result"
Laura and Jenny Somers were the only chill
dren ola widower, who although in moderate
circumstances, moved in very fashionable so.
ciety. At the period of my short sketch, he
was about TO supply the lamented Mrs Somer's
place, after nearly ten years mourning, and
although kind, indulgent parent, had no OBJ.
r lection to his daughters marriage, and, indeed,
, had told them so. Laura, whose high spirit
resented the probable supremacy of STEP
mother, had already selected Godfrey Horton
= as her future husband; and Jenny, who was
younger and gentler in her spirit, tried to con-
qcer carefully concealed preference for the
same person. All his attentions were ascribed
by her to brotherly regard, though every
act of kindness or courtesy touched her very
heart.
1t was the morning after large ball, aud
the sisters were in the breakfast room tog ether.
Laura, her glossy black hair, pushed negligent
u ly oil her face, with the rough tumbIed braids
d OF last evenings elaborate couture gathered
loosely into a comb, wearing a soiled rapper,
torn stockings, and presenting rather an alarm
= ing contrast to the brilliant ballroom belle,
: was lolDging on sofa. Jenny, in a neat
y morning dress, with large bingham apron,
little white collar, and hair smoothly brushed
into heat knot, was washing the breakfas,
: dishes.
There lie an old man at the door with some
6 artificial flowers" said the servant, opening
a the dining room door, {" will you see him?"
". "No," said Jenny.
- [" Ye,," said Laura, send him up,
The servant departed to obey the last order
SO In a few moments the old man came 10. He
was poorly clad, with coarse, blue cloak
,e which was much too large for him. His hail
q. was white, aud he wore beard and moustach,
!, of the same snowy hue. Making a low bow
- he placed the large basket he carried on tn,
40 table, and opened il.
ut III have bunch Of blue flowers here" h,
he said, taking them from the basket, . that will
!. just sul your golden hair, Miss" and he hell
= them before Jenny.
- 4" 1t pasmy sister who wished to look at you
k howers.p said Jenny.
Yes, bring them here" was Lauras impe
k rious command.
ut The cid mans eyes followed Jenny, as sh
te washed, wiped and put away the dishes, swep
the rooHh and busted IT, and then set down be
~ side Laura. who was still looking over the has
ny ket.
ne See Jenny, this scarlet bunch. Will |
is not be lovely, with few dark leaves, to wea
nd with my new sik?"
for Butt whispered Jenny, "you can't affor
it just now"
., ''Yes, can. Father gave me some none
nd yesterday"
ir- I" To pay the dry goods bill"
"Well, can have that carried to my pri
!. vate account"
hOhl Laura, hate TO hear You talk Q
IA that private account. IL seems so much lik
cheating father"
q ]" Nonsense! 1t will stand till am married
tv and then ! can pay il out of my house-keep
~ ing money"
ne u should no. wish to marry in debt" sal
al Jenny.
wn The old peddler looked earnestly at lh
Int sisters.
.You had better take this blue bunch
Miss," said ha to Jenny. elf it amt conve
40 nient 10 pay now will call again."
lrd \ No, / shall not take Them"
be They are very becoming, Miss. Look i
10 this glass"
l.. NJ wish my hair was light" said Laura. :"
r. should like to wear blue. Godfrey Horton sal
10 last night thai forgel-me-nols were bis favor
or tie flowers.
Ii. Jenny colored, and placing the bunch agai
u, in the basket, said
A. Come. Laura, decide. You are keepin
ng one waiting whose time probably 10 valuable,
Ind and then passing chair, she added---'
Ind seated. sir. you look very tired"
,r N am tired, indeed" wis the reply.
+ ~ will take the scarlet bunch, and thes
4 red canleias, and this white cluster" sa
ish Laura.
our 4 But sister, you cannot afford it,"
nYes can Godfrey Horton is very rich
* The old man biz his lip.
wv /" Think" said Jenny, 10 low tone, (" If yt
love him, how much It would grieve him ii
/ should discover The dsceiAr