Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-09-10
How I Obtained a Good Wife.
A TRUE STORY BY CITIZEN OF RICHMOND.

In the year of 1888, at ball in honor Of
the once honored Fourth of July, at a hotel at
Harper's Ferry, jefferson County, Virginia, |
met for the first time Miss Nd, a sprightly
aud beautiful girl. the daughter of physician
ofFrederick County, Maryland. A large num-
Der of ladies were in attendance and the ball
room indicated that Nature, in its kindness,
had presented beauties to suit the varied tastes
of all the rougher sex who were there to par
ticipate in the festivities In the crowd, there
was one who more than all others, claimed my
attention. Small in stature, fair complexion,
full, clear blue eyes, regular features, golden
ringlets, and mouth that would invite bee
to light upon it, was Miss Nd She WAS
often--as if accident, but really by design on
my part-my partner in the dance. Three
o'clock in the morning, the hour of closing eX-
ercises, found me reluctant to quit that, to me,
enchanted room. met her again at the break
fast table, and although had previously ar
ranged to be at Charlestown, MY place Of resi-
dence, that morning, | declined going. was
spel-bound In other words, was in love-
Breakfast over, l met her in the paror, and
proposed a walk around the village, to see the
wild and romantic scenery of that famous place
now made more famous as the scene OF the
John Brown adventures We proceeded to
" Jefferson's Rock" commanding fine view
of the union of the Potomac and Shenandoah
rivers below. Here | expatiated upon the
beauties of the situation" and venturng to
suggest to her that an union was typical OF the
union of two fond hearts, blending into one,
and gliding down the stream of time to the
great ocean Of eternity. Love fills our heads
and bosoms with romance. The entire day,
and until the hour for retiring at night, found
me by her side In taking leave of her avow-
ed purpose to write to her, to learn by a note
in reply whether she had arrived safely at
home. That was the avowed object, while l
had another in view | wished to open cor
respondence with her, that | might say on pa
per what ] had not the courage to say to her
in person. Returning to my home, at Charles
town, three days subsequently, | addressed her
as follows
CHARLEsTowN, July I, 1880.
Mss I'd:
Allow me to enquire if you arrived home
safely, and whether you are in good health al
ter the fatigues of the occasion at Harpers
Ferry. on the Fourth. Beyond this simple in
quiry. | do not at present feel at liberty 70 go.
can scarcely trust myself to speak OF
the pleasures derived from your company on
that occasion. must express the hope that
it may be my good fortune to enjoy similar
pleasure. ere the passage of many suns or
moons over my head. Please favor me with
reply, and believe me,
Most truly, yours, j. is.
A few days subsequently, / received the ioI-
lowing.
FRrnrn1cK .Tnly y, 1888.
M. j. Is:
Sir 1t affords me pleasure to respond to
your inquiry | feel but little fatigue from
the effects of my journey to the Ferry, and am
quite well. thank you for the interest man
Tested for my welfare, and return my thanks
for the part you contributed in making my
STAY agreeable. on the occasion alluded to. l
unite in the wish that our acquaintance may
be more extended.
Most respectfully, a. Nd.
correspondence. which thus commenced,
was continued until | made declaration OF
my love for her, and request on her part to
see me at her home. went saw her. ]
proposed: and she accepted. | returned home,
with mingled feelings of delight and sorrow.
Delighted at my success in gaining the love oi
SO charming a girl and sorrOwiul that was
not more worthy of such prize. She was
highly educated; | was comparatively Hitter
ate. She was living in ease and elegance |
was them a poor mechanic. | felt seil-con-
demned. as if | were practising a fraud upon a
Girl too young and confiding to estimate prop
erlv the responsible step she had taken. Our
respective stations in life were too unequal
One of wealth the other of proverty. Inc
correspondence continued, until these consd-
eratons induced me to sit down and write to
her as follows:
CHARLEsTowY, Dec 3, 1888.
IN dear Nd:
The contents Of this letter, fear, will prove
4 surprise But when assure you that 1t is
dictated by love for you, trust you will for
oiye the author. ! loved you the moment
first saw you, and time has intensified my al
Cection. Yielding to my uncomfortable feel
igs. have assiduously sought your affection IN
return. have received it. | have asked
your hand in marriage, and you have promised
it. And at this point pause for the operation
Of reason. A step farther, and it would be too
late Is it right that should take from such
home as you possess, amidst the proiuslons,
elecancies and refnements of life, one who oc-
cupies a social position far above mine, TO be-
come the wife Of a poor mechanic, dependent
ON his daily labor for support, and who can
promise YOU nothing beyond the plain and or
dinary comforts Of life? Have you properly
considered this and other disparities in our re-
latiye positions? Ladies. it is said. are too
prone to discard reason and TO jump to eonclu-
sions; and it may nave been your folly or
r,,,l+ in rovcase Pardon me for not bringing
this subject to your attention at an earlier date
| have loved you because / could not help 1t.
Reason and philosophy, until now, were pow
erless. Yet hope it is not too late for con-
sideration. You have many admirers, more
suitable. more worthy, and who possess more
conpenialitv. than myself As your happiness
is So deeply concerned on this subject, | ask
Won TO take tine for reflection. shall bow
with affectionate submission to your decision
taking all the blame, if any there be, to myself
in the premises.
Yours, most truly, j. lis.
The above was intended to secure, in as del
| icate a way as possible, a release OF engage
ment, for the reasons indicated. And antic-
pated reply, giving her prompt consent to q
" breaking off" But imagine my surprise on
receiving her answer, as follows;
FREDERICK, Dec. 10, 1889.
/ My Dear Is:
In view of my knowledge OF your character,
your letter was not as great surprise as you
anticinated it would be- 1t is in harmony with
vonr character and the high opinion had
! formed of YOU. Strictly construed, it may be
;ntornreted as asking for release OF engage
T.. ,r;,bor,t any better reasons than