The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1870-02-04
WANTED-A WIFE.

Butler, who, though for long years
a widower. loved good fellowship
and good cheer, and sought always
to collect around him a merry clique
at Christmas. Being decended from
a gold old English stock, he loved
to maintain the customs taugkE him
in youth of celebrating our Savior
nativity.
Very fair to look upon was Amy
Butler, his only daughter, anu mis-.
tress of his fine mansion near the
riverside on the Hudson.
Personal descriptions are tiresomC
especially of men; and we shall only
say of Henry Colburn, the happy
mortal who had gained Amy Butler
heart, with a promise of her hand
that he was a very fair specimen Of
the genus homo; although not des
tined to shine in Congress, he was 6
Itolerably brilliant fellow, respected
by his companions-which is a con
sideration-and liked by the ladies'
a far more valuable one.
Among the many guests that for
med the Christmas party assembled
at Mr.. Buffers mansion, were men
of money and men of mark, politi-
clans and pedants, philosophers and
fools, fair ladies, frowsy ladies, mat
rons and maids.
All had ne with the intention of
spending a merry Christmas time,
and their host had determined that
they should not be disappointed.
1t was thoroughly orthodox
Christmas; the snow lay foot deep
upon the frozen ground, and its crisp
surface scintilated in the white rays
of the morning sun, whose beams
were powerless to melt it. 1t was a
day that suggested skating and
sleighing.
Bright and cheerful were the faces
that surrounded Mr.. Buffers break
fast table, and merrily mingled the
voices of the friendly coterie.
1t was customary in Mr.. Buffers
household for any letter that came
by the morning post to be on the
sd oylev" of the guest to whom
they were addressed. Colburn on
taking his seat, had found no less
than five upon his, and with a cur
sorry glance at their directions, was
about to thrust them into his pocket
when his fiancee, who sat by his side
interrupted the act.
Il suspect treachery, sir she
whispered, smiling archly. ~You
have there billet, the superscrip-
ton of which is in a lady's handwrit-
ing. insist upon knowing who is
your correspondent. "
Barry laughed; and thinking the
letter in question was from his sis
ter, the caligraphy being similar to
hers, tOssedit into Amy's lap.
"Peruse, it if you wish, fair queen,
and believe hereafter in your slaves
fidelity. 1t is from my sister Carrie,
and perhaps you weuld like to learn
what opinion she has formed Of her
future sister-in-law. 1 sent your
photograph to her last week" he adj
ded gaily.
Amy secreted the letter in some
mysterious fold of her morning
wrapper, the spirit inherent in wom-
ankind inducing her to take advant-
age other lovers permission. Five
minutes afterwards, however she had
forgotten its existence, and did not
remember anything connected with
it until she was attiring herself to at
tend services in church.
Standing before her toilet-glass
how beautiful she looked! Well
mighta little dimple Of satisfaction
indent her rose-tinted cheek, as she
saw her charms faithfully portrayed
in the mirror before her.
He would be pleased to see her
looking well, she thought. Dear girl
it was her desire to give pleasure to
him that she loved so well, and not
vanity that caused her to contem-
plate her reflected image with so
much contentment.
Was it Kismht that ordained her
eyes should just then light upon the
better her lover had entrusted to herr
How well he loves me to trust me
so, was another thought she had, as
she quietly surveyed the superscrip-
ton.
Carefully she broke the seal, and
laid open the fragrant package All
why is not Fatima's sad fate more
deeply impressed upon the minds of
Ewes fair daughters? Curiosity is
a vice which often entails its own
punishment; and it was so in the
case of Amy Butler.
As she drew the letter from its en-
velope her eyes fell upon a photo
graph portrait of q girl, seemingly
of her own age, and equaling if not
SURPRISING her in lovliness. For
some moments she stood intentlyI
gazing on the carte,-gazing as if
She was seeking to read in those
lineaments the sun had so well trae
ed. the character of the original.
The more she peered into the rad
liant face, the more intently her eyes
seemed riveted upon it, but as recol-
lection came upon her acloud began
to shadow her countenance, and
an exclamation escaped her lips be-
tokening bitter pain.
1T cannot be his sister" she muir
INJURED to herself, he has told me
frequently that she was quite plain
lookLg. This girl is"
Without ending the sentence she
opened and perused the letter,
Dear Sir:-I send you my carte
de visite as YOU requested. In ans
wer to your invitation, will meet at
tie place and time appointed-Gra-
mercy Park, SIN.
Vanilla"
Henry Colburne, Esq.
A brave girl was Amy Butler. one
not accustomed to let her feelings
gain mastery over her common sense,
She did not swoon, or even indulge in
the efeminatc luxury of Mysteries;
hut her heart beat wildly, every limb
quivered with strong restrained emo
ton. and great pearly tear-drops
Glittered awhile on the sweeping
fringes of her dimmed eyes, and fell
upon the robe that covered her heav-
ing breast.
@False! Harry False; Man, then,
can never be true"