Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-09-09
Wooed E. Won For Herself.

3" y dear me aCl so tlTeu Ol tHis hluu VI
life" sobbed Jennie Wilbur.
She sat on the large sofa resting her head
upon her little white hand, and her beautiful
golden locks falling from under beautiful
wreath Of honey suckles which encircled her
hcad-the last creature in the world from whom
such dscontented speech could have been e&-
pected. But humming birds sometimes get
tired Of slipping honey from the sweetest flow
ers. So Jennie was tired of the glow and gilt
te IF her sunny life.
"To be sure have plenty of lovers, and
plenty of offers. Enough, might say, for a
dozen girls. But it is just because am rich.
It is not me they want, it is the five hundred
thousand dollars thcy admire, and are courtiug
so much. To be sure, would not like to be
poor. and be slave for everybody, and work
my finger nails off, and then have to live on
bread and water but wish people did not
know | was rich"
With all these thoughts running thro' her
mind, she arose from the sofa, and putting on
her hat she sauntered out from her mansion,
down the busy street, and entered the house
in which her dressmaker lived. She took
seat near the window and pursued the vague
thread Of her reverie
"Now there's George Hall coming home from
College soon. / wish be would not know that
have lately become an heiress, ! used to like
him so much, and know lie liked me, for we
were together nearly every day, from morning
till night romping through the fields and the
forest, gathering flowers, chasing the butter
flies, or hunting for birds nests. wonder"
Her thoughts were suddenly cut short by the
entrance of quite jovial looking old gentle
man who wore Quaker hat and buttcrnut
colorod coat with large brass buttons, and a
green gingLam nectie.
- Wall, Mrs. Patterson, I've como all the
way up from Richand farm arter yc,' said this
ioya appartion, wiping the perspiration from
his brow with huge yellow gingham pocket
handkerchief.
" NV old woman's bought two new alypacky
dresses, and green caker, and rale CINE
wine black silk, stiiTer'n pasteboard, aud trim
Minis enough-Ol Lor'-for Queen Victory,
an comc-'
Il am very sorry that cannot accommo-
date you at present Mr. Hall, said Mrs. Patter-
sou. for really have got so much on hand now
that am really afraid shall not get through
with it. Probably | could DO it for you in a
couple of weeks.
Good Lord In couple Of wceks!" ejac-
ula ted the old gentleman, as he put on a coun-
tenance Indicative of the utmost dismay /;
"wby we can't wait, me and my wife. My
cousins comm home from school next week
that's George Hall mean-aud me and my
wife wants everything as slick and Dice as a
new pin when he comes"
al am sorry, very sorry, but | can't leave
now" said Mrs Patterson. Can't you get
some one else q
Wall, | don't know" said the farmer,
striking his cowhide boots with his blacksnake
whip which he carried in his hand. Do you
know Of any girl handy that could get, that
makes dresses an sich?'
No SIR" replied Mrs. Patterson. ~ do
not. uuless-'
Il will 60" interrupted Miss Wilbur; |
will 90 with the gentleman. and make bis wife's
dresses for her"
You 90? ?" cried Mrs Patterson, in a tone
of surprise.
Yes; why not I as well as anybody else {?
l think the country air would do NE good re-
piled Miss Wilbur.
"Wall, come on then" replied the old gen.
tleman. as be cracked bis whip gleefnly. I'D
iist as leaf hev you as anybody else. It's only
about six miles out o town to the place they
call Richland farm-I suppose the reason they
called it that was because it was sich nice, rich
land. I'll give ye seventy-fye cents day,
and that's purity good wages fur gal nova
DAYS. Yer can't fud it every day.
How soon can ye be ready to 60?
"If you will give me time to 90 home and
pack up few things in travelling valise |
have will meet you here in an hour. viii
that suit you?"
"All right" replied the old gentleman
" Good bye, Mrs. Patterson"
Mrs. Patterson looked up in astonishment at
Jennie Wilbur as soon as the old gentleman
had taken his departure.
." Miss Wilbur, am utterly astonished at
your promising that gentleman to go home
with him and make his wife's dresses for bel" !"
"Well, you need not be" cody replied Jen-
ME: 81 want to taste the fresh coehtry air
once more. want an adventure. You will
keep my secret for me, won't you ?"
'Oh, certainly, Miss Wilbur; but"
But Jennie was gone. And at the time
agreed upon she came tripping along with
her valisc packed full of clothes, and was
soon rolling over the country road in the far