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


own case, he had, upon being sorely press
ed, declared, week before the appointed
time, that he was now ready 10 fulfill the
promise so caressly given, so far as it de-
pended on him. Expectation was on tip.
toe. None could guess who the lady could
be, for, il particular attention was accord
ed TO one, ii was sure to be speedily equall-
ed by some attention TO another. Expecta-
ton however, demanded that he should Sc
lect from among eight of his acquantances
of whom we have mentioned only four
though candor compels US to allow that our
own favoritsm, not MIR. Aliens, has drawn
the distinction. Among Mr.. Aliens genlle-
man friends, quite a number oil bets, were
taken upon the chances of these ladies'
those who missed their guess being pledged
TO unite in giving the brice handsome sill
YER service. Mrs. ST. Simon issued cards.
for the evening succeeding the eventful day
10 all the guests of her Twelfth night party
with malice prepsAse, many said thinking
thalhe secret might then be discovered.
On the appointed day Mf. Alien called
on each OF the eight ladies, but the public
were unable TO decide il TO any OF them he
breathed the important subject. We will
tell the reader, however, that his last call
was upon Fanny Ellison, and not TO OBJ
tfude ourselves TOO soon, will begin report
ing The following, probably in reply TO
something we have lost:
"You will remember, Mr.. Allen, that
also had some tests let me see il you can
pass them. The first was, you were 10
have been refused by twenty-five other la
! dies"
Surely you are not seriousr
Indeed, then, am." Ii required some
time to convince him that she was in ear
nest and then he was forced 10 confess
that no lady had ever refused him.
sSpfFef me 10 undeceive you" }" said Fan.
ny, opening an escretoire, and takin there.
from package OF letters. Allen started in
surprise, but the lady, unheeding opened a
note aud read: "Mr Allen invited me to
attend The concert this evening, but | was
obliged TO refuse him, being previously en.
gagged Folding the note again, she re.
marked 81 have proof OF twenty-five simi-
lar refusals You have passed that les:,
but had yoH been critical in your exsmins-
ton of my remark, you would not thus
have understood ii; but the thoughts OF you
men are always upon malrimony aud you
Judge others by yourselves. f"
My second test" continued Fanny
ais the power 10 command my obedience
and the third, proof that you can keep a
secret. Neither has been proved but, u
here the lady blushed, ''you may tell your
friends you have not been refused, and
will consider myself bound to fulfill any
expec:ion such a statement may cause,
on these conditions Within six months
you are TO pass my second test, and, dur
ing that time, no one is TO suspect, through
word or act of you're, our present relations
and your three tests must not be dis
closed.
To this Allen agreed, adding / nov
fulfill the promise to inform you within
twenty hours after my decision should
be declared. | am condinonslly engaget
TO Mics Fanny Ellison"
presume. reader, there was some more
nonsense uttered, but as they alone are re-
sponsible for il, lei it pass Allen faithfully
kept his promise, and the next year Mrs
ST. Simon omitted her usual Twelfth nigh
party 10 attend the reception OF Mrs Franz
Allen, then, and not till then, dad Mr.. AlIel
make known his three tests or requirements
IA common sense aud true dignity, wh cE
would not be embarrassed by The knowledge
that he sought a wife; sympathy witt
his great DISLIKE of French phrases in En
gIish conversation, and not least, the goo,
sense 10 appreciate his good qualities sutfi
/ cientIy 10 accepi his preference