Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-06-08
MISCELLANEOUS.
SMITHS GOOD LUCK.

| was always lucky fellow, and The most
fortunate thing that ever happened to me was
being born Smith. Lioten: sasT1
Three years ago had been Tilted, and was
out of money. That doesn't sound lucky
but it was prelude to the best of luck. /
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 perturbation, partly to save months
board. -BIaya ~,
stepped on board the early down train.
1t was full of six O'Clock passengers, mostly
men. The sun was shining on the water, but
the fog was hugging the banks, and clingiug
to the FURNISHED surface of the tide. l suppose
poet could have made something pretty out
of the sight, bpt l only wrapped myself in my
'overcoat and looked at it sulGily. After a
while L got listening to two men who sat
behind me.
"A pretty girl with fortune is always to
be had for the asking"
''0h, but the girl isn't asked, take. It's
all arranged by her aunts. She's shining
pretty, but mere child-uot sixteen, believe.
They had another fellow booked for her, but
he died down in New Orleans of the yellow
fever last fall. u bins lHzE
Sand she's never seen this Smith. y e..
5''No, nor they either. The aunts plotted
Smith up for them, opened correspondence,
and got Rose to write letter or two Smith
processes to be in love with her letters and her
picture but of course its the money-forty
thousand if she marries before she is seven
teen" e#I e7
"If the girl amounts to anything it's
dcuced shame ~
she does amount to something She has
the making of a splendid woman in her; but
nobody knows itor cares. They are bent only
on savisg the money for her. If she forfeits
it, it goes to some pet charity of her crazy old
grandfathers. lie was always an old tyEant,
and as eccentric as the ID"
"You know Smith 2"
"Only by sight, but l know a chum Of his,
Burton, and got the story, with a copy of a
letter of the girls. l have seen her many
time down on the shore, always with her
dragon aunts."
"Where's the letter p -.a.
't've got it here in my Rallet. NoF, you
know the right sort of man won't have his
girls sletters 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 M. iSnlitt-My aunts wish me to
reply to your kind letter. do not know what
to saw. / am not accustomed to writing TO
gentlemen but [ must tell you that 1 was
sorry to have aunt Sophy send you that picture;
am not near so pretty; it tlatters me very
much indeed. You are so handsome that you
will want a handsome wife so l don't think
YOU ought to be deceived. | don't want to
be married; but my aunts say [ must on &C.
count of the money and perhaps it may turn
out right. am very lonely hero. l would
like to live in large city, and aunt SOphy
says you would do everything to please me.
Have you any sisters Will your mother
like me !? L always wanted sisters and "a
mother of my own. l don't know what else
to tell you, except that if you love me, L will
do whatever you want me to.
Very truly yours, RosE ROGERS
There were comments upon, and laughing
discussion of the letter which was certainly
very unique But as We ratified along there
was bump, a shock, the cars stoud still, and
everybody was in CONSERVATION.
"We are off the track-be patient very
little while," said the conductor, passing
through the car.
But in consequence of this little accident
it was two o'clock before we got to plymouth.
AS we sWarmed out upon the platform, l
noticed a very pale young man, not unlike
myself in looks. emerge from the foremost
car-his coat sleeEe torn out, and q violent
purple bruise on his forehead.
s'If that should be the lover Smith, now, "
said to myself, "vhat plight he is in p
lie seemed to be very much out Of humor,
and beckoned angrily to hackman, jumping
into carriage, and desiring to be taken to the
best hotel. After that | saw several other
persons, more or less disordered and bruised
by the railroad accident. -t--.a.-
l was leaving the depot, when a colored
coachman bowed before me.
i BEG pardon, sir-DIr. Smith q
'sYes"h r
'Carriage is waiting, Step this way, sir,
if you please, sir"
/ followed him, wondering if indeed my
uncle had sent up carriage: 1t used to be
my aunt's pet hobby--a barouche, with the
old English coat of arms, which had, indeed
belonged to as, but had been in disuse since
the impoverishment of Raleigh Smith, ofEng
| land | wasn't quite sure what they we're
but believed it vas sword and helmet upor