Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1868-05-30
TALES AND SKETCHES
NlY SPECULATION,

should not have done it. I confess it
in the start. A man in my position has no
business with such weakness. My only ex-
cuse is, that l could not help it. My posi-
tion is a trying one. l am a gentleman,
with gentlemanly instincts and no money.
Whoever looks at me will see at once the
absurdity of connecting me with the idea
of work. 1t is 80 evidently impossible that
no one mas ever suggested the idea for an
instant. Some people arc useful and some
are ornamental. The only question in my
case was, who. should pay for me; and
evidently, the only answer was, rich wife,
1t was, therefore, gently understood by my
friends and myself that my object in life
was awich wife. 1 fattcred myself that l
am particularly adapted to my object.
have melancholy eyes, regular features, fine
whiskers (mutton-chop order), and perfect
composure. If don't know what to say,
can always hold my tongue and look I'M
ruffled, and that goes long way with wo-
men. They have such lively imaginations
that if you will only look as if you knew
what to say, they will fancy you have said
1t. 1 think, always aim at the subdued
style, which pleases without startling, and
gradually leads the mind to the wearer.
AS set off, have n most unfortunate
sensi.iyeness to female beauty. l cannot
hep admiring pretty girl. In consequence
/ have lost already three excellent chances.
Could not bring myself to the point of pro-
posing to such ugly women, you see This
sensitiveness is the more unfortunate, as l
am in debt. 1t is not my fault, as you could
hardly expect a man of my spirit to make
out with my income. Vulgar people, how
ever, are incapable of appreciating these
distinctions and sm made so uncomforta-
BILE by my creditors that when accepted
Mrs. Marvin's invitation to spend fort
night at her country seat did so with the
determination of marrying the FIRST women
who had money, and would have me, if
she were as ugly as sin herself When l
got there found Abe Dundas. Now Abe
is fellow that you can be confidential with,
and the first thing said to him was "Any
heiress down here2 And says he "Yes."
Fifty thousand" |" Says 1, that is not
much" Says he, "There is no better one
here" "Well," says l, "what is the name2"
Says he, "Wait till you see the ladies and
let us all see if you can guess her out. Bet
you anything you can't hit it." "Done,"
says ] /; and went out for walk before din
uer.
/ had not gone far when I saw pretty
girl. Of course l took an observation. She
was a pretty girl soft brown eyes, hair to
match, splendid color, broad forehead, hand
some profile-and she sat in an easy, grace
full attitude, sketching was sorry for that
Young ladies make such frightful sketches ;
and then you are obliged to admire them.
However, she was a very pretty girl.
While stood looking at her there ap-
peared on the scene COW. The young lady
instantly showed signs of fright. She rose
to her feet and looked at the COW. She
made a movement, and the COW came toward
her. The young lady dropped her sketch
book, and screamed wildly. made my ap-
pearance, and the COW ran away. picked
up the book and handed it to the young
lady, who blushed deeply
~ know it is very ridiculous to be afraid
OF poor, harmless COW" she said, smiling,
"but cannot help it. always do scream" !"
~ am very glad you could not help it in
this instance" said l, "if 1 may have the
pleasure of seeing you safe home"
She blushed again, and looked toward
the house had just left.
II am stopping, just now, at Mrs. Mar
wins"
MRS. Narvins! So am ]. ] am George
Lane"
"And am Susy Lacy"
And there we were acquainted, better &C.
quainted than we he should have been in a
week; and before we reached home was
in loye-I mean the genuine srticle-I was
really in love with Miss Lacy. At dinner
Abe whispered to me:
"Shall show you the heiress ~
"Don't care" said I, "Or stay. No
yes. You had better"
swell. there she sits," and he nodded in
the direction Of lady sitting beside Miss
Lacy. Just as expected. An old maid.
Tall, gaunt, stiff, yellow, with q goodish
sort of face that had never been handsome,
and would never see thirty-two again.
"a bitter pill to take" thought, and
decided first to have out my Irritation with
Miss Lacy.
Well, we had il out, or-no, We did not
have II out, We could not The more