Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-12-31

| ribbon, with which they were bound, and
as he did SO, with the one subject still up
permost in his mind, he made the exclama.
ton above mentioned. It was not address
body there; and therefore Mr.. bradbury
naturally felt surprised when silvery voice
replied:
''Married, Mr.. Bradbury ?-certainly,
and why not ?"
| At the same moment there was flutter
among the old letters IN Bradbury's hand;
and, from an envelope somewhat larger
than the rest. emerged a lady of most daz-
zling appearance. She was decidedly di-
minutiye, being of only about six inches
stature, but of admirable symmetry. She
wore a garment of gossamer texture, the
skirts of which distended in the most ap-
proved ballet fashion, were Topped up with
ruby hearts, connected with true lovers
knots in white satin ribbon. and her wreath
was of similar material. This angelic be
ing tripped lightly from the open envelope
to Mr.. Bradbnry's table; and there, after a
coquettish dance, seated herself on the
closed lid of big inkstand, and arranged
the folds of her drapery with feminine ex-
actness.
why shouldn't they be married, my
| dear sir %
Bradbury's first feeling, after he had
once recovered from O shock Of his visi-
tors unexpected appearance, was in dread
lest Mrs. 3. (Who was a person OF rigid
propriety and a fine flow of language)
| should come in unawares, and find him in
| the company of such lady with extraor-
binary short petticoats. But on reflection.
remembering that bis wife had been in
bed for at least an hour and half, and
was probably sound asleep, he took cour-
age.
"Why not, maam ?'' said Mr. Bradbury,
passing his fingers through his stubby
hair-''Why not? Because-because-
ridiculous .
''But aohy is it ridiculous, Mr., Bradbury
that's the point
"Of course it's ridiculous. kate's too
young, for one thing. Why, it's only the
other day since the child came home from
school, and she won't be tWenty-one for
four months yet"
youth is a fault that mends itself.
She'll soon get over that. What's the next
reason. sir, if you please ?"
''The next reason is that young Wilson
has no money, or next to none; and q very
good reason it is
$50 it is, decidedly. How much has he
got ?"
''About four hundred year from his
business and hundred of private proper
ty, according to what he told me this
morning"
Very good, Mr.. Bradbury. What's the
next reason p
Next, indeed I think that's quite
enough without anything else."
'You have no personal objection to him,
then He is not dissipate or anything
OF that sort ?"
"On the contrary, I believe he is a
steady, Woodworking young fellow
No; l have nothing against him in Chat
way"
Very good" said the visitor. mos,
Benjamin Bradbury, listen to me. I've
known you ever since You Was boy"
you've known-what % exclaimed
Mr.. Bradbury in aIaazement.
Ever since you was a boy; yes, and
good many people older than you"
you've known me ever since l WIS q
boy? Why, your not more than
Here Mr.. Bradbury stopped short, not
feeling sure VIII ether sixteen or six would
be nearest the mark.
Don't interrupt, sic We'll say ever
since you were young man, if it suits yoil
better and to prove il III show yon your
portrait IS you were then
AS she spoke she tonchel with her hand
an old case which WAS lying on the table
and which enclosed Il miniature.
"Open it."
Bradbury took the case with slight in
ward chuckle, knowing as he thought,
that the portrait was that of deceased
uncle of his wife. However, on opening
it he found, to his astonishment, that
Mrs BIS had Disappeared and had
given place to life-like representation OF
himself forty five years younger. Few
hn iI1k1o
zled Bradbury Of to-day in the curly hair
ed young fellow full of life and merriment,
which the portrait represented, but Brad
bury did.
''Bless my soul," said he, $50 it is! Pom
my word [ wasn't a bad looking fellow in
those days"
And Bradbury pulled up his shirt col
lar, and put his fingers through his hair,
with a sort of paternal pride in his younger
self.
Eyes, Benjamin Bradbury, you were
better looking man in those days, us you
say--and better hearted one in the bar
gain, fancy. IF you had but one loaf, il
in those days. you would give away half to
any one who needed it more"
$50 [ would" said Bradbury. "What a
donkey must have been ! But I know
better now
''No you don't, Benjamin Bradbury
You don't know better now you have got
hard and selfish, and you keep all you can
get, and let the needy go without but
you don't know better. Do people like
you better now than they did then, think
you %
Dare say they don't but don't much
mind that"
"You were poor, and now you are rich
but are you any happier now than then
Look at the portrait again"
Bradbury looked at the image of his
former self and as he gazed, long for
gotten memories thronged into his mind
memories of generous impulses eagerly
acted upon ; of deeds of boyish disinter-
estedness done by the curly headed lad
before him-deeds that the mar was far
too prudent to do. And, with queer
choking sensation in his throat, Bradbury
answered:
''No on the whole, think-I suppose
was happier them
Happier To be sure you were" said
the Sprite. 'No man can violate the
laws of his being and encase himself within
the hard panoply of Self without paying
heavy penalty. The sympathetic thrill
IL l..