Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-11-12
NTISCELLANY.
PROPOSING BY LETTER.
A Sad Mistake.

Eleven oclock-at least so said tho golden
tide of sunshine, creeping over the velvety turf
Of the village green, and losing itself in the
murmurous foliage of the big maple trees, and
50 said the little clock in Judge Cornell's law
Office on the main street, speaking in sharp,
melodous chime.
Harry Grover glanced quietly up at the un-
compromising little dial, as ne entered the do
main of " Coke upon Iyttcton."
I'm late this morning" he muttercd, hang
ing up his hat behind the door but asgood
luck will have it, the Judge has not made his
appearance yet"
lie was a straight, handsome young fellow,
with curly brown hair, limpid hazel eyes, and
healthy buSh on his sun-browned checks
one YOU could t+ust, routrance, as you looked
into his frank, honest face. There was not
many sqch-morcs the pity!
. " Whaw-whew-whe1" whistlod Mr..
Harry Grover, turning oyer his pile of. legal
documents In every unmethodical sort OF way.
Law and love were never meant to gotogether,
of that am certain. Pretty Ariel Brownies
blue eyes are shining rogUIshly out at me from
every bit of parchment or printed blank
touch. How lovely she was last highland
who would ever suppose that the old cat with
tha Falao crrrls and grinning porcelain teeth
could be her aunt? Rich, too, they say a
good match for some desperate lortune-hunter,
who IS willing to swallow the bitter old pill
for the sake of the gold coating. Let me see
talking about old Experience Browne, be-
lieve have business letter TO write to heT
about that piece of land by the school-hOusC
corners that she wants me to buy. Not ]
When purchase land for building spot, II
won't be desolate pasture, where rocks and
mullen stalks fight together to see which shall
possess the staunch soil The old lady must
/ take me for a very unsophisticatcd character
indeed. | wonder now if bue-eycd Ariel vii
ever he wriuklcd catamaran, clutching after
bargain? Pooh should as soon think Of ;
whitc-plumcd little dove being transformed
into a greedy vulture."
IIc leaned back into his chair, with botl
hands claspcd on the top Of his curly head, and
looked out abstractcdly into the slushy village
street. humming an old tune under his breath
"a tune whose burden was Love, still love.
Plainly, Mr.. Harry Grover was very little
disposed for work that morning. And when
at twelve o'clock, Judge Cornell camcin, there
was but hopeless chaos of papers on the table
| to represent his younger partncts matinal la
bors,",
WIZ, Grover, you haven't accomplished {
thing this morning" said the old Judge, CLAN
cling kecnly around through his antique silver.
bound spectaclcs, Z" | am afraid that the pretty
girls at Squire Deckihorn's party last night
were too much for your mental equilibrium.
"Wcll, you see, sir, I've been rather sorting
the papers over" said Harry, a little shcepish-
". {" and I've #tiiien t@o letters this thorn
ing"
"Two lelters?"
Yes, sir"
May ask to whom ?"
Gone to old Miss Experience Browne, about
the lot she wanted to sell me-a regular clip
per, giving the old hag piece Of my mind
and the other
"The other"
"Ahem-that wasn't exactly business let.
ter Now, Judge, suppose you and look oyel
/ these eiectment papers together"
The Judge smiled silly he had On idea as
to what the other letter contained. Every one
in town knew how bopelessiy Mr.. Harry Gro
yer was in love with pretty Ariel Browne
Judge Cornell had t6sn young hitasclf no
many years ago.
a It's Just as well for the lad to marry and
settle down" thought the old gentleman, "anf
Ariel will certainly make as sweet little wife
as human mortal could wish for"
Harry needn't have BEEN so mysterious, seal,
ing and directing his two letters at the tai
desk behind the Office door.
Judge Cornell knew just as well what was
in them as Il he had read every word with hI'
own eyes. But young people have mistaken
/ idea that old people don't know anything.
Miss Ariel Browne sat in her room, bus!
with complicated piece of bright-colored wei
work that ladies call ''crotcbet," when Bridge
tapped softly at the pannels of the door.
please, Miss Ariel, letter"
a letter. and for me! Dear ne, Bridget
who can i be from p