The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-03-10
Mistsuaneous.
SENSE AND INsENsIBILITY.
CHAPTER riRsr.

"She is certainly a very pretty creature,
Allen but," added Miss Middleton, with
some hesitation. "she does not appear to
have much mind. To be sure" she contin-
ued, 81 scarcely know her, and, perhaps, l
do her injustice. She may have more talent
than give her credit for"
"Not at ALL" answered her brother coolly.
..She makes no pretension to ii. and that Is to
me one Of her charms. You women. Fanny,
are oil 70 run away with the idea of talent,
and you have no conception how little impor-
tance we men attach to it. For my part,
cannot imagine greater bore than one Of
your clever women as wife,"
"How can you say so, Allen" replied
Miss Middleton. "when you know that the
women you have devoted yourself to in So
ciety have always been those who were dis
tinguished for their intelligence. There
were Miss Langley and Miss Murray, and
don't know how many, that really have
thought from time to time that you were so
ing to address, you were so attentive to
them" ........
"But I did not, Fanny. 1t is one thing to
talk to woman and another to marry her
And that is distinction that you ladies do
no. always remember" replied Mr.. Middle
ton. "Your thoughts always jump so in.
stiuctively to matrimony. that you seem to
think IL a man adm'res q woman he must
needs be thinking Of marrying her; aud You
never made greater mistake in your lives.
1t is really surprising to sec how little the
cleverest even Of you understand u.s.
ut seems 90 natural, ;" answered Miss Mid.
dlc.on, "tO suppose that men Of talent should
prefer women who can appreciate them, that
/. is not so surprising that we should fall in
TO the mistake. IL indeed, it be one, rs you
seem to think"
"Perhaps it might be as you say" replied
her brother "but unfortunately, your clev-
or woman always wants to be appreciated
herself, and is much more occupied with
her own brilliant sayings than those OF the
man she Is talking to-"
"You are speskiDg Of admiration and
of appreciation" replied the young lady,
with smile.
"They mean the same thing. in the sense
YOU were using them" replied Mr.. Middle
ton :; and that have the right Of argument
experience may show you. Look around
YOU and sec who the distinguished men you
know have married, Not one of them. I'll
answer for IL. to woman Of more than Or
dinsry Intelligence.
THAT Is true" replied Mas Middleton.
laughing. They seem to marry generally
the woman who is nearest to them. Propin-
qui,y has more to do with it-nine cases out
Of .sn--than taste. But notwithstanding
such high authorities, l cannot think man
sbows his sense in making such choice,
nor can think that sensible woman Is
more apt to be exigcants than fool, most
sspccially when there Is beauty in the case
and to that never heard the wisest oil you
object a-. l-s
"No," replied Allen. "for nature settles
that point. A young beauty may be giddy
and vain, but the reign being short, she soon
,uros her thoughts and feelings into other
channels. But not 90 with your bel esprit.
Time i,sslf cannot sober her: ior a really
clever and cultivated woman talks better at
thirty or forty than she does at twenty
consequently. is just Is eager for admiration
- girl.r % 1865
"So." replied his sister laughing, "you
fall in love with beauty because Il can't last.
Come, Come, Allen, don't talk nonsense any
longer. but confess the truth. You are In
lovo with Laura Crawford. and really think
Of marrying herf"
al do. replied Mr.. Middleton; "and al.
though do not pretend to deny that I sd.
miro her beauty, yet il 10 not that which
would sver have seriously attracted me-"
-"And may then ask what the peculiar
charm - inquired Miss. Middleton.
ayes" replied her brother; "it is her
swes. temper and a6sctiouats nature, quail.
ties that have an attraction for % that you
women arc little aware Of. A loving geusIe