Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-12-07
Gboite Tittratme,
HOOKING A WIFE.
CHAPTER I.


but Alexander Crosby, son of old judge
Crosby, OF the Supreme Court. VERY
well meant, no doubt, to send fishing
rod to man who hates fishing as he
does physic. Now, if he had sent me
a gun, it would have been of some use,
for | was always fond of cunning,
when | got the chance. But as for
fishing, ! never could see the fun of it.
Besides, there's something sneaking
and treacherous about batting hook
with confounded imposition ofan ar
tificial fly, to take in poor little an
fortunate devil Of a fish. Well, it's a
handsome rod, and there it may lie
till fnd somebody to give it to, who
can appreciate it Meanwhile, here
goes for letter to Uncle Tom-what
a niggcrifed sound it has Ito thank
him for his present !
Alexander opened his desk, and sat
down to write. BY the time, howev-
err, that he came as far as MY dear
Uncle" he laid Gown his pen, be fell
into the following reflection
Next to fishing, there is nothing
find such bore as writing letters. |
believe I'll write Tomorrow morning.
So Alexander threw down his pen,
and, going mp to the glass, began to
brush his hair, and conplacenty re-
gard a pair of very downy moustaches.
Alexander was twenty years of age,
fair haired, aud blue-eyed, with a .del>
icate nervous temperamentya graceful
ligur above th2 msaias \ s'|aAk les sa
lie Vas not bit of foh but a fair
specimen of Young America, as re-
Gently developed BY the increasing
wealth and lnxury Of the age. He
had been carefully educated, and had
not long left Harvard University, to
commence the study of the law, for
which he was destined nominally, tho
in reality as heir to the wealth both of
his father the Judge, ard of his uncle
the banker, he might, with little dan
ser, feel Indifferent to the chances of
his profession.
Alexander was great reader. He
learned all of Harper's brown covered
novels, and bought all the new poems.
He himself was busy writing a poem,
to be called. The Falling STAR
Those who had seen parts of it, de-
clared it was very fine; > a statement
which friends are very often in the habit
of making under similar circumstances
whether, because it is much easier tc
praise than to criticise, or because
friends naturally take a partial view o
one anothcr's productions. For my
part, | have always said, Save m'
from my friends, and leave me to take
care of my enemies
Presently, Alexander went to tn
window, threw back the Venetial
blinds, and gazed ont into the night
1t was fine, but dark. The moon ha
not vet filled her horns, or even bega
to fill them. However, Alexande
did not want moonshine. To q bril-
hantly lighted window opposite, all Ri
attention was devoted. In that root
sat beautiful girl of perhaps seven
teen years, with dark lpstrous hal
large gentle eyes, and a skin of ivor
She sat in such manner that the lig>
from a jet of gas burning between ii
windows of the room fell full upon he
For some minutes Alexander Crost
feasted his eyes upon this exquisi
tableau vivsnt. Then placing his ow
camphene lamp-for gas he had nor
on the marble dressing table, bt
tween his own windows, he also toe
up position in which his face W
visible to the young lady. Both thu
gazed at one another, with charmi,
appearance of innocence and uncor
sciousncss, till 4 sudden thought occu
red to Alexander, Of such extraordin
ry sriHiancv, tina; to defer its apple;
tion was not to he thought of.
As a preliminary measure, Aexar
der clasped his hands, bowed, touch
his heart, and by divers other geStul
attracted the attention Of the you
lady in the opposite roo who ma
an afectation Of not seeing What $
saw perfectly well. Then the you