Middletown transcript., 1868-05-16
Popular Gales.
From The Lddy's Friend.
MY LAST COURTSIIIP.

Twenty-Five years ago | was bachelor,
which accounts for the fact that on GER
tain cold, cheerless, November evening,
sat alone in my study, which in point Of
comfort, corresponded painfully with the
weather.
1t was only on such night as this one,
that a thought of rcsigning my much priz-
ed independence ever occurred to me.
But just then it seemed to me that neat,
cherry little figure sitting on the other
side of the Fireplace, in a certain dingy
armchair which stood there empty, would
not have been disagreeable. Nor did my
independence seem to me at that moment
quite so desirable state rs usual I
sighed deeply; the fact was ! felt very
lonely
A knock at the door interrupted my
meditations. 1t was Robert, my servant,
with the letters. Now Robert was a very
pleasant person, but his appearance Jared
very disagreeably on my feelings, so little
did he resemble the neat, cherry figure,
which ] had been contemplating with my
minds eye. Consequently he was rather IA
rpde interruption to such sweet dreams,
and rather calculated to make an old bach
elor feel foolish and guilty when caught
in the very act of painting sentimental Wis
ions. But | forgave him for the sake of
the documents which he bore
Amongst them was one peculiarly ap-
propriate to my state of mind 1t came
from Arthur Clayton, an old college
friend, residing in quiet little village,
Wakeland by name, far distant from the
noise and turmoil of cities / read. and
in spirit was carried far away from my
desolate study. / beheld woods whcrcon
yet clung the remnants of scarlet and gol-
den drapery. Instead of a cold, lifcless
atmosphere, fresh country breezes seemed
to sweep against my face and the dismal
whistling of the wind, for an instant soun-
ded like the piping of autumnal birds.
81 will goW | calculated, as, near
the end of my epistle, these words met
my eye: "Come, then, my dear old boy,
and make us visit You could hardly
fail to enjoy yourself, for you would have
the society of three charming damsels, viz.
my sisters. If you have not taken any
vows of perpetual cclibacy, l give you full
permission to win the heart and hand of
either of the capricious damsels. If you
can, is of course understood. / am, how
ever, afraid that brothers consent will
not very much influence either Carrie,
Kathie, or Nellicw
That same night letter was dispatch
ed to Wakeland, and three days later |
was in the cars on my way thither.
AS drew near my destination | be-
came considerably agitatcd. Perhaps the
crisis of my fate was approaching 1t
seemed very certain to me that such was
the case. How was it possible for any one
to be composed with such an important
moment almost in view?
Mentally | considered my personal ap-
pearance. l was forty-fve and did not
look young for my age; tall, and, some
said, good looking This innocent. little
piece of fattery | had never considered of
any Importance before, but now l repeated
it over to myself again and again, with
much self-complacency. | had neither an
eagle eye nor raven locks; such charms,
however, especially by sensible young la
dies, would not be thought indispensable.
My optics were of light-grayish hue,
;and my hair brown, thick and curly But
Il would be silent here, if necessity did not
compel me to spcak-thc latter was not
that which Nature had bestowed upon me.
The ceaseless friction of thirty-ive years,
as they rolled over my head had worn
away my own dark locks, and for half a
score of years art had kindly supplied 9TH
ers in their place! This fact, j said to
myself, will never be discovered, so that
it would be foolish to rank it among The
objections to my appearance. And should
any unlucky chance cause such AN ufort,l-
nate disclosure, my own mental attrac-
tions, l hope, will counterbalance the dc.
feet" So [ lulled to rest those uneasy
thoughts which would intrude in the midst
of my most pleasant speeulations.
On the whole was rather satisfied than
otherwise with my mental survey, and |
awaited the "crisis" with more calnness
than before.