The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1862-02-19

eudinS Win me remark. 'but now / nave
come home TO live, and am looking round
for wife so, yonng ladies, if you deem
me an exemplary young man, worth pat
Eronizing, commend myself 10 your good
graces p Ard he finished with graceful
bow 10 the ladies addressed, some of whom
blnshed, others smiled frankly. two or three
were very busy with their boquets, and one
or two looked decidedly cross
! swell, - said the father of three daugh-
ters, ssyou msist indeed be hard 10 please,
ifthe spring finds you ',iancy iree."
'sThe lady shall choose,n said Allen,
with an air half-serious, half-gay, "must
answer three several tests and in this age,
such ladies must be very rare;;" and he
rose to examine a painting. A half hour
later, a hand was laid upon his shoulder,
rather roughly inasmnch as it served 10 turn
him almost halfway round and blunt Cap
tain Summers exclaimed
Frank, lad, what on earth induced you
TO declare you were looking for a wife =
! Don't you know you have drawn down upon
i yourself the fire of all the designing mann
mas and daughters, and frightened away
all The modest, worthy girls, with the fear
that they may be thought designing Z"
''Don't fear for me- replied Alien gay
ly; 81 had design in what said. Only
please don't disIocate my arm, for | have
not Jet got wife to make it pleasant TO be
disabled"
Had design in it, heyp' and the old
gentleman sroked his beard in evident per-
pIexity.
"Oh, Mr.. Allen, want to know il it is
true. such funny Thing as | heard you
said," exclaimed Fanny Ellison, breaking
in upon the dialogue.
stWhai Gid you hear said Z"
"Why that you we're looking for wife
who must pass three tests, aad that all the
girls in The library had better Try for you.-
Pity hadn't been thers ~ and the lnlle
lady pouled.
6All right except the advice, Miss Eli
son." said Allen, laughing. ''I simply in
tended 10 commend myself to the attention
Of young ladies in general, if they thought
me desirable article of household furni-
ture."
HAh. indeed, said the lady, with the
pretty head 'sand what day do you appoiHt
TO decide your selection, aud offer your ser-
vices 10 the fortunate on p'
@Oh, ! don't know say this day six
MONTHS" said Allen, carelessly.
ssNow. don't you imagine," resumed the
l. IL Cttt,, tn hiorr
and testing Don't think you have
said anything original to-night. You gen
tlemen study Us, but don't forget, in your
self conceii, that we also study you, and are
rot more easily pleased than you are =
Why, myself have some tests which a
gentleman must pass who would win my
promise 10 'loye, honor, and obey"
i "And pray what may they bes" asked
Allen quickly.
'sWhy, The first is, that he must first have
been refused by at least twenty-five other
laGies."
Allen looked at her in surprise.
"Yes," she continued, 81 should learn
from that that he did not lack courage OF
perseverance but, above all, | should have
some hope he would have lost some of his
self concei:, and really be quite endurabIe,
for you must allow that, as class, men are
fearfully seli-conceited."
s'You want meek man whom you can
keep under litlle wholesome restraint,
suppose 90
'-No," said Fanny, with quick gleam in
her eye, and very decided tone; "my
husband-if ever can have one-must be
able to command me; not because feaI
him, but because love and respect him
aud, indeed, this is my second test"
ssAnd your third l' asked Allen, amused.
"Beg youf pardon, sir, Bui shall expect
a return of confidence have told you tSc
tests when you asked me, aud now, o.
course, expect 10 hear Two of your tests !;
and agair the lady smiled an arch, provo
king, little smile.
Allen Bit his lips in vexation. He had
walked right into the trap the artful little
lady had prepared for him, and how was
he 10 escape?
ssBut if divulge my secret, put the
ladies' upon their guard pleaded Alien
s.Oh, but promise moi 10 tell any one."
"Suppose should wish to try my tests
upon you "forewarned, forearmed," you
know said Alien, with forced laugh.
"Me o dear, that's no use. l warn
you am entirely out of the question"
ssAre you engaged 2" asked Allen, quick
Iy.
'sSahc5 !" pouted the lady.
ri beg PARDON said Allen, with quick
flush, for be had spoken upon the impulse
OF the moment.
i The lady bowed, but waited, toying with
her fan.
AConless now that you have been com
nlissioned 10 extorl from me this secret"
Confess now that you have been most
.-..--es. s...~,>.<,;<,. ~ : ell tho iadv