Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-03-11
SELECTED STORY.
A BACHELORS FATE.
By HAROLD.

I tell you what it is. l believe I'll try it;
there is no harm can~come from it, and it
will be capital fun. What do you think,
Fred?
"Think Of what! You have forgotten
that you have not spoken for a quarter Of an
hour by my watch, and how am I to tell
what grand scheme has entered hat wise
head of yours2 l tell you what it is,
Tom, you are getting to be a uost desper-
ately lazy fellow /; why don't you follow my
example and get a wife. You really de-
serve"-
"There, keep your scolding for another
time, and just listen a few minutes" and
taking up q paper which he had been persp-
ing read: 11 m :
"Madame Granivctterly, the most gifted
c~lairvoyant the world has ever produced can
expound to you the great mysteries of your
future partner. together with name, date o!
marriage and post Office address. Her won
derful gift has astonished thousands. 1t is
impossible for her to be misguided, as she is
the seventh daughter of the seventh. lnclose
a lock of hair and the sum of one dollar"
"Now, you see, / an going to write to
Madame. What's-her-name, and who knows
but ere long the likeness Of the future Mrs.
Spencer will be flying over the rails en- roate
to its future lord and MASTER"
"You are a-well l won't say what, but
you really need a wife to lame you down
Take my advice and get one as quick as you
oap."
"Now, seriously, Fred, I wouldn't marry
the best girl living +; l am too fond of my
bachelor life. Besides, where could be found
the woman who could occupy with becoming
dignity the position which would belong to
Mrs. Spencer ? No, Fred, Tom Spencer re-
mains a bachelor for life"
"Then why send to the Madame? ?"
Fred's eyes sparkled mischievously as he
asked this question.
MERELY for fun. Why, Fred, six months
ago you would have been the first one to
have said send. Why, you were always the
first in any scheme for fun"
s'Six months ago but in that time !
have taken to myself a wife, and matrimony
has given me wisdom. You poor bachelors
cannot be supposed to hare the eenae We
married men have. But there is pen, ink
and paper !; write if you choose"
Fired, you have lost all appreciation Of
a Joke. l have half a mind. when the pic.
ture comes. not to give you the extreme fe,
licity Of seeing it."
When it comes! Take my word for it,
Tom, no picture will come.H
"Well, here goes for a trial, and way
cried Tom, seating himself at his friends
writing desk, and while he is busily writing
let me take the advantage Of describing the
friends. &
-Four months before the conversation Civ
en- above occurred, Fred had married, which
circumstances, however, did not in the leas
effect the friendship which had existed be
tween the two. At the time Of which VI
speak, they were both comfortably seated II
Fred Seaton's library smoking their after
dinner cigar but look, Tom has finished
his letter, and is about to take bis leave.
"Good-bye, Fred !; I am going to pos
this letter !; give my adieua to Mrs Seaton
and, by-the-by, don't say anything to her o
this little affair"
"Fopd-pye, FER FER; lHRek taS yf0HR." An
SO the friends parted. 1.
Two weeks passed. and the clrcnmstane'
of the letter was almost forgotten by Fred
when one day he entered tho bachelor room
of his friend and discovered Tom seated at
table, intently watching an object before
him. Upon the opening Of the door, how
ever, he gave a slight start, but perceivins
who the intruder was, he merely said 81
that you, Fred" and turned again to tn
object before him:
Eyes, it is me, and I should to know
what it is that seems to be absorbing you
attention" .
"Well, Fred. I am looking for her"
"Looking fer whom? Tom. l really be
lieve you are : but he was interrupted b,
Tom "There she is look, look, it is com
ing as sure as am 2 sinner"
Fred Seaton now came closer aud observe
a small piece Of paper. or rather two piece
one placed over the other, on which wer
the outlines of a female face.
"What does this mean, Tom !"
..It means that. that picture, according t
Madame Whats-her name q never ca
think OF it, IS the picture OF tue lu'ufe WIZ
Spencer Q,
"Well'noiw, that's q hard question:
did and I didn't. / received two pieces, tn
one / was to place over the other. sphinx
with water add await the result. | haV
dene SO, and behold the picture doth appear
I tell you what it is she is . beauty"
What is this? Z" said Fred Seaton, takln
up . letter which Jay near.
"f'sp, that is her name and aadresg ! Ar
Wetherall, San Franolsco, gaAloln'a, ana
I am to be married one year from the LUZ
last May. Is not this a great piece OF
buggery; Of course there is no sucn pcFso
t in San Francisco" 9.
t "Why don't you write ard see
. s.Mr. Frederick Beaton, VINO was enq4 SWs
with so much wisdom at the tlme that ne .oo