Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1865-01-26
Mtstsllaneous.
HOW GODFREY CHOSE HIS
WIFE.


wedding TO beY"
Whose weddng?"
Miss Laura Somers, or Jenny, which /
is it?'
II don't know I'm sure
Now don't be mysterious, Godfrey, you
are a constant visitor, and all our sex is talk
ing about the match. Don't pretend you
have not selected one Of the sisters.
''How do you know whether either of
them will have me-"
4Don't be absurd, old boy. Come, be
frank, which is the favorite sister?'
"Well, frankly, then, ] have visited the
family for several months, as you know but
cannot decide. Laura is certainly the
handsomest with her flashing 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 for cordial
welcome and smiles, and let me call at what
hour | will they are always dressed, and ap-
parently disengaged. To be sure, always
in the morning, have to wait before Laura
is visible.
Pop in unexpectedly, and notice the
internal economy.
'IIow can [? A card at the door will put
the lady on her guard, or even the notice Of
a gentleman visitor.
"Gothen in disguise. Asa washerwoman,
for instance"
Good will"
$50 there as washerwoman 2" cried
Clayton.
Not exactly, but will obtain admittance
to mornings privacy"
''Well, let me know the result"
Laura and Jenny were the children of a
widower, who although in moderate circum-
stances, moved in fashionable society. At
the end of my short sketch he was about to
supply the lamented Mrs. Somers' place,
after nearly teny years mourning, and although
a kind and indulgent parent had no objec-
ton to his daughters marriage, and indeed,
told them so. Laura, whose high spirit re-
sented the probable supremacy of a step
mother, had already selected Godfrey Hor
ton as her husband /; and Jenny, who was
younger and gentler in spirit, had tried to
conquer carefully conceived preference for
the same person All his attentions were
ascribed by her as brotherly regard, though
every act of kindness and courtesy touched
her to the very heart.
1t was the morning after large ball, and
the sisters were in the breakfast room togeth-
er. Laura, her glossy black hair brushed
negligently off her face, with the rough,
tumbled braids of last evenings couture
gathered loosely in comb, wearing solied
wrapper, torn stocking, and presenting rather
an alarming contrast to the brilliant ball
room belle, was lounging on a sofa. Jenny,
in a neat morning dress, with large ging-
ham apron, and hair smoothly brushed into
pretty knot, was washing the breakfast
dishes.
''There is an old man at the door, with
| Ga,I la
opening the dining-room door, twill yo,
see him."
"No," said Jenny
eyes, cried Laura, ''send him up.
;. The servant descended to obey the las
order.
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 bearC
and moustache of the same snowy hue
Making low bow, he placed large basket
upon a table and opened it.
81 have bunch of blue flowers here,
said he, taking them from his basket that
will Just suit your golden hair, miss" and
held them-up to Jenny.
''It was my sister who wished to look at
your flowers, said she quietly.
Eyes, bring them here was Laura i'm
periOus command.
The old man eyes followed Jenny, as she
washed, wiped and put away the dishes,
swept the room, and busted it, and then sat
down beside Laura, who was still looking
over the basket.
'See, Jenny, this scarlet bunch. Will it
not be lovely with a few dark leaves, to wear
with my new silk? ~
But you cannot afford it just now, "
whispered Jenny.
''Yes can. Father gave me some money
yesterday.
"To pay the last dry goods bill"
private account.
"Oh! Laura! hate to hear you talk
so of that private account! 1t looks so
much like cheating father"
Nonsense 1t will stand till | get mar
ried, then | can easily save it out of my
house e-keeping money
81 shouldn't wish to marry in debt, said
Jenny, 'and then take money from my
husband to pay my debts that would be
mean.
The peder looked at the sisters during this
conversation, though unobserved by them
"You had better take this bunch, Miss, ="
said he to Jenny. lift aint convenient for
you to pay for it now, will call for the
money at another time"
"No, | shall not take them"
Il wish my hair was light" said Laura
I'd like to wear blue. Godfrey Horton said
last night, that forget et-me-nots We're his
favorite flowers"
Jenny colored, and placing the bunch
again in the basket, said Come, Laura
decide. You are keeping this man waiting
time is probably valuable to him, and
then passing chair, she added, BE seated,
sir, you must be tired,
Il am tired, indeed, " was the reply.
81 will take take that scarlet bunch, and
those red camelies, and this white cluster,
"But, sister, you cannot afford it."
"Yes ] can. Godfrey is rich -
The old man bit his lips.
'1Think," said Jenny, in an undertone
''if you love him, how much it will grieve
him. if he should discover this deceit
Nonsense! Well, I'll tell you how to-
remedy it. Lend me some money out of
the housekeeping funds, -,
laura steal from father
There, don't preach y
Miss Jenny, said a servant entering al
that moment "the dinner has come;
Jenny left theroom, and Laura stu turned
over the gay flowers while the Old man
pointed out their various beauties, helm the
mean time, was running over the diSorderea
hair, shabby dress, and lazy, slouchy posi-
ton, of LaSra's, while he mentally contrast
ed them with Jenny's neat attire.
"Not decided yet? ?" said Jenny, return
ing, after shot absence.
E'No. Come here, -,
II can't Father has sent home cali :
| boaa aud | ON afraid IN trust il entirely to