Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1869-06-16
SMITHS GOOD LUCK.

Twas always a lucky fellow, and the
most fortunate thing that ever happen
ed TO mewas being born a Smith.-Lis-
ten:
Three years ago Ihad been Tilted, and
was out Of money. That doesn't sound
lucky; but it was a prelude to the best
of luck. I concluded to go into the
country, down at Plymouth, to my
Uncle's hOUse-partly that the murmurs
of the sea might sOOthe my inward per-
tUrbatiOn, partly to save a months
/ board.
I stepped on board the early down
train. 1t was full Of six o'clock passen-
gers, mostly men. The sun was shin
ing on the water, but the fog was hug
ging the banks, and clinging to the burn
ished surface of the tide. 1 suppose a
poet could have made something pretty
out of the sight, but I only wrapped my
self in my OveTcoat and looked at it
sUlkily. After a while I got listening to
two men who sat behind me.
"A pretty girl with a fortune is al
ways to be had for the asking"
"Oh, but the girl isn't asked, I take.
It's all arranged by her aunts. She's
shining pretty, but mere Child-nOt
sixteen, I believe, They had another
fellow booked for her, but he died down
in New Orleans of the yellow feveJ last
Fall"
And she's never saw this Smith
"NO, nor they either. The aunts plot
ted with. Mr.. Dunbar, the guardian, and
he picked Smith up for them, opened a
correspondence, and got Rose to write
a letter or two. Smith prOfessed to be
in love with her letters and her picture;
but Of course its the mOney-fOrty thOus-
r Ill II =
teen.U
"If the girl amounts to anything it's
a deUced shame ="
"She does amount to something. She
has the making of a splendid woman 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 grandfath-
eT's. He was always an old tyrant, and
as eccentric as the d.
You know Smith ~
"Only by sight, but l know chum
of his, Burton, and got the story, with
copy of a letter of the girls. [ have
seen her many q time down on the
shore, always with her dragon aunts ~
Where's the letter.
"I've got it here in my wallet. Now,
you know the right sort of a man won't
have his girls letters hawked about
among his associates. He let Burton
take this copy, and Burton gave it to
me. Let me see-this is it. Listen:
Dear lL'. Snlitl1-My aUnts wishes me
| to reply to your kind letter. I do not
know what to say. am not accustom-
ed to writing to gentlemen; but I must
tell you that l was sorry to have aunt
Sophy send you that picture; I am not
near so pretty; it tiatters me very much
! indeed. You are so handsome that you
will want handsome wife; so / don't
think you ought to be deceived. don't
want to be married; but my aunts say
I must on account of the money; and
perhaps it may turn out right. [ am
| very lonely here. l would like TO live
in a large city, and aunt SOphy says you
would do everything to please me.
| Have YOU any sisters? Will your
mother like me? I always wanted sis
! teTs and a mother of my own. [ don't
know what else to tell you, except that
if you love me, I will do whatever you
want me to. Very truly yours,
ROSE ROGERS"
There were comments upon, and q
laughing discussion of the letter, which
was certainly very unique. But as we
ratified along, there was bump, as hook,
| lIle cars SlOOil Slllly anu SNNl y 'OuS vas
in CONSERVATION.
ave are off the track-be patient
very little while" said the conductor,
passing through the car.
But in consequence Of this little acct-
dent it was two o'clock before we got to
! Plymouth. AS we swarmed out upon
the platform, I noticed q very pale
young man, not unlike myself in looks,
emerge from the foremost car-his coat
sleeve torn out, and violent purple
| bruise on his forehead.
off that should be the lover Smith,
now" said to myself "what plight
he is i'll ~
He seemed to be very much out of hui
NOR, and beckOned angrily to hack
man, and jumping into carriage, de-
sired to be taken to the best hotel.
ter that 1 saw several other per -,
more or less disOrdeTed and bTuis by
the railroad accident,
was leaving the depot, when a col
Ored cOachman bowed before me.
beg pardon, sir-Mr. Smith"'
Yes"
Carriage is waiting. Step this way,
sir if you please, sir"
followed him, wondering if indcsa
my uncle had sent up Il carriage. 1t
used to be my aunt's pet hObby-a bar
ouche, with the old English coat OF
arms, which had, indeed, belonged to
us, but had been in disuse since the i'm