The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-06-24
Miseellar1eous.
ANGLING FOR A HUSBAND.

Madame Dubois, who resided at Chalon, was
lady of the strictest character and Of heart
proof against allurements. She prided herself
upon her great insensibility. and her profound
indifference had repulsed all those galants who
had volunteered to offer their addresses. The
country was for her q veritable retreat /; she
Stunned reunions, and was only happy In soli-
tude. The charms Of chosen circle. the pleas
ures Of the world. had for her no attraction
and her hvorite recreation was that Of angling,
an amusement worthy Of an unfeeling woman.
She Was accustomed every pleasant day to
station herself at the extremity Of the lonely
island Of Cha,on, and there. with her book in
one hand and her line in the other, her time
was passed in fishing, reading or dreaming.
A lover who had Away, been iutimidated by
her GOODNESS, and who had never ventured on
spoken or written declaration, surprised her at
her favorite pursuit one day, when he had come
to the island for the purpose Of enjoying o
swimming bath.
He observed her for q long time without dis
covery, and busted himself with thinking how
he might turn to his advantage this lonely
amusement Of angling. His reveries were so
deep and so fortunate that he at last hit upon
the desired plan-a novel expedieut, indeed.
yet they were always more successful with such
women as pretend to be invulnerable to love.
The next day our amorous hero returned to
the island. studied the ground, made his ar
rangements, and, when Madame Dubois had re-
sumed her accustomed place, he slipped away
to remote and retired shelter, and, after di-
vesting himself Of his clothing. he entered the
stream. Being an excellent swimmer and skill
full diver, he trusted to his aquatic talents for
the success OF his enterprise. lie swan to the
end of the island with the greatest precaution,
favored by the chances Of the bank and bushes.
which hung their dense foliage above the wa
ter. In hi; lips was note folded and sealed,
and, on arriving near the spot where Madame
Dubois was sitting, he made dive, and lightly
seising the hook. he attached II to his letter.
Madame Dubois. perceiving tho movement Of
her line. supposed that fish was biting.
The young man then retired as he came, he
doubled the cape which extended out into the
water, separating them from each other, and
regained his shelter without the least noise in
his passage under tho willows. The deed was
done
Madame Dubois pulled In her line, and what
Was her surprise to observe dangling upon the
hook, not the expected Ash. bu: an unexpected
letter.
This was, however, triAing but her sur
prise became stupefaetion when, dstaching
tho transaxei billet. che read upon it her
name.
So. then. this letter which she had 6shed up
was addressed to her.
This was somewhat miraculous. She was
afraid. Her troubled glance scrutinised the
surroundings. but there was nothing to Be seen
or heard-all was still and lonely, both on land
and water. ..s--e ...L 20
She Quilted her scat. but took away the let
ter. AZ soon as she was homo and closeted by
herself. and a. soon ss the paper was dry
paper perfectly waterproof and written upon
with indelibls ink--shs unsealed the letter and
commenced its perusal. ..s.-r -. ...
ga declaration Of love [" cried abe, at the
arst words 'what insolsnce T"
still the insolencs bad como TO her In such
an extraordinary manner that her curiosity
would not suffer her to trsat this letter - she
had 90 many others pitilsssly burn 1t up with
out reading. 49,,
No-shs read Il quite through. Tho lover.
vho a.,s,, th,. ls,t.r from, the be tom Of the