The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-02-13
misrellanp.
SMITHS GOOD LUCK.

and was out of money That doesn't sound
lucky, but it was the prelude to the best OF luck
concluded to go to the country, down at Ply.
mouth. TO my uncle's house-partly that the
murmxrs of the sea might sooth my inward per-
Irritation, partly to save a months board.
l stepped on board the early down train. 1t
was full of silly six o'clock passengers, mostly
men. The sun was shining on the water but
the fog was hugging the banks and clinging to
the FURNISHED surface of the tide. l suppose a
poet could have made something pretty out of
the sight, but only wrapped myself closer in
INV overcoat, and looked at it sulkily. After a
while got to listening to two men who sat be-
hind me.
"a pretty girl with fortune isn't always to
be had for the asking"
ooh, but the girl isn't asked, l take ii. It's
all arranged by her aunts, and she'll acquiesce.
She's shining pretty, but . mere child-not six
teen, 1 believe. They had another fellow booked
for her. but he died down in New Orleans of the
yellow fever, last fall"
"And she's never seen this Smith ?"
mo, nor they either. The aunts plotted with
Mr.. Dunbar, the guardian, and he picked Smith
up for them, opened q correspondence, and got
Rose to write letter or two. Smith processes to
be in love with her letters and her picture, but
of course it's the money-forty thousand if she
marries before she is seventeen"
"If the girl amounts to anything it's deuced
shame!
sShe does amount to something. she has the
making of a splendid women in her but nobody
knows it or cares. They are bent only on saving
the money for her. If she forfeits it, it goes to
some pet charity of her crazy old grandfather
He was always an old tyrant, and eccentric as
the ID"
"You know Smith z"
"Only by sight, but I know a ohum of his,
Burton, and got the story, with a copy Of the
girls letter. I've seen her many q time down on
the shore, always with her dragon aunts."
"Where's the letter? 2"
give gSt it here in my wallet. Now, YOU
know the right sort of man won't have his
girls letters hawked about among his associates.
He let Barton take this copy, and Burton gave
it to me- Let me see-this is it, Listen:
"DEAR Mr. SMITH-My aunts wish me to re-
ply to your kind letter. do not know what to
say. am not accustomed to writing to gentle.
men; but must tell you that was sorry to
have Aunt Sophy send you that picture Of me;
am not near so pretty; it fattsrs mo very much.
You are so handsome that ysu will want hand.
some wife; 50 don't think you ought to be de.
ceived. 1 don't want to be married, but my
sunts say must on account Of the money; and
perhaps it may turn out right. am very lonely
here. l would like to live in . largo CITY, and
Aunt Sophy says you would do everything to
please me.
"Have you any sistersp Will your mother
like me? always wanted sisters and mother
of my own. don't know what else to tell You,
except that if you love me will do whatever
you want me to. Worry truly yours.
"RosR ROGERS"
There were comments upon and laughing
discussion Of the letter. which was certainly very
unique. But we ratified along there was .
bump, shock, tho cars stood still, and every
one was in CONSERVATION.
eve are off the track; be patient q little
while" said the conductor passing through.
But in consequence of this little accident it
was two o'clock before we got down to Plymouth.
As We swarmed upon the platform noticed .
very pale young man, not unlike myself in looks,
emerge from the foremost oar-his GOAT sleeve
torn out, and violent purple bruise ON his fore
head
IF that should be the lover Smith, now" said
I to myself, "what plight he is in"
He seemed very much out of humor and
beckoned angriy to hickman, jumping into
carriage, and desiring to be taken to the best
hotel After that l saw several other persons
more or less disordered and bruised by the rail-
road accident.
was leaving the depot, when colored coach.
snan bowed before me.
"Bsg pardon, sir-Mr Smith ?"
eyes"
Carriage is waiting Step this way, il you
please, SIR"
followed him, wondering II indeed nv uncle
had sent up carriage. 1t proved to be my aunts
pet hobby barouche, with the old English
scoatof-arms, which had, indeed, belonged to 10,
but had been disguised since the impove rishmsnt
OF Raleigh Smith, Of England. wasn'nt quite
sure what they wers but believed IL was . sword
and helmet N.Y. piece Of parchment: but it
proved to be yen and sword against palette,
which was very appropriate, a. there had been
scholars, ar'iFi nd military mon among eur
ancestors.
GAN well = asked good humoredly.
"An vel" answered Sambe with . grin, shut.
ting the Door Then no looked back 70 say with
another grin:
"Lsdies very gay this mornin'"
If my stately aunt and cousin were CAV it was
certainly worth rsmarking; - laughed little,
and Sambo chuckied again and jumped upon his
seat.
We ratified through the streets, under An .rcb.
up an avenue. Things began to look strange.
"Where are weS" 1 asked, a. Sambo opened
the carriage door. do they 1.-Two hsre 2"
"1et. sir. Here's Mr. Dunbar, sir"
AT the same moment an elderly gentleman
rushed out into the terrace to meet me.
"Why, Smith, you are 90 wsndsringly lste. y
he exclaimed, shaking hands with me.
The cars ran off the track" answered 1 and
before could say anything else he hustled me
into the house.
Everything ready. Hurry with your toilet
and come down. Pity you trimmed your whis.
kers so close; it alters your appearance very
much. Robert, help Mr.. Smith dress. Right in
here, Smith. Hurry now, the ladies arc waiting. T"
and mulatto was in attendance. l sat down
and look ed At him