, 1864-01-16
How Godfrey Horton Chose his Wife.
BY MARY E. HORTON.

'Godfrey, ola BOY, Sald henry clayton as
be tilted back in his chair, and put his feet
upon the mantle piece, when is the wedding
to beY
'Whose weddingY
Miss Laura Somers, or Jenny, which is
it p q do not know, | am sure
Now don't be mysterious, Godfrey; you
know you are a constant visitor and all our
set are talking about the match. Don t
pretend you have not selected one of the
sisters
How do you know either of them will
have me ?
Don't be absurd, old boy You young,
handsome, talented, and with a large for
tune, need not be over bashful. Come, be
frank, which is the favorite sister p
well, frankly, then, | cannot tell you
l have visited the family for several months,
is certainly the handsomest, with her flash
ing black eyes, and queenly manner; but
Jenny seems, although the youngest to be
the most womanly and useful of the two
Yet, | cannot be sure of that. My entrance
is the signal of cordial welcome and smiles,
and let me call at what hour l will, they are
always well dressed, and apparently Olsen
gagged. To be sure, [ always in the morn
ing have to wait some time before Laura is
visible
Pop in unexpectedly and notice the in
ternal economy
How can [? A card on the door will
put any lady on her guard, or even the
notice of gentleman visitor
Go there in disguise. AS washerwo-
man, for instance
Good l will ?
Go there as a washerwomanp ? cried Clay
ton.
Not exactly, but l will obtain admittance
to mornings privacy
Laura and Jenny Somers were the only
children of a widower, who, although in
moderate circumstances, moved in very fash
ionable society. 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 and indul-
gent parent, had no objections to his daugh-
ters' marriage, and indeed, had told them so.
Laura, whose high spirit resented the
probable supremacy of stepmother, had al
ready selected Godfrey Horton as her future
husband; and Jenny, who was younger and
gentler in spirit, tried to conquer carefully
concealed preference for the same purpose.
All his attentions were ascribed by her to a
brotherly regard, though every act of kind
ness or courtesy touched her very heart.
If was in the morning after large ball
and the sisters were in the breakfast room
together. Laura, her glossy black hair
pushed negligently off her face, with the
rough tumbled braids of last evenings elab-
crate coifure gathered closely into comb /;
wearing solid wrapper, torn stockings, and
presented rather an alarming contrast to the
brilliant ballroom belle, was lounging on a
sofa. Jenny, in neat morning dress, with
a large gingham apron, little white collar,
and her hair smoothly brushed into neat
knot, was washing the breakfast dishes
There is an old man at the door with
some artificial flowers, said the servant,
opening the dining room door, will you see
him. ga.
yes cried Laura, send him up
The servant departed to obey the or
der.
In few moments the old man came in.
He was poorly clad, with coarse blue
cloak, which was much too large for him
His hair was white, and he wore a beard
and mustache of the same snowy hue
Making a low bow, he placed the large
basket he carried on a table, and opened it.
4 have a bunch of blue flowers, here he
said, taking them from the basket that will