Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-09-16
Won By Proxy.
By A. S. Y. NJ.

mo, sir, I cannot consent to your marrying
my daughter
But why not, Mr.. Merrill, why not 3
Have you any reasonable objection to my per-
SONNY character p
"Your person? o no-excepting that you
are too cenfoundedly good looking. II It had
been otherwise. Eva might be little more do
cile now."
"But my character, Mr.. Merrill, have you
any fault to find with that?"
"No, you seem honest enough: do not sup
pose that you would steal-tbat is anything
beside my daughter, and shall take pretty
good care that you do not steal her."
"Then what is it, sir, may ask ?"
eva, Mr.. Beldon, has been spoiled and
pampered and petted She does not know
how to do useful thing. What kind of a
wife would she make poor man ?"
But am not poor, have large salary.
| could not, Of course, give her carriage
quite yet, nor box at the opera, but she
would not be obliged to exert herself at ALL
shall be perfectly well able to keep servants
and dress her handsomely, even richly"
" But you may loose your fine salary at any
moment"
~ have the confidence Of my employers,
Mr.. Merrill, and they are exceedingly kind. F"
We'll, don't say anything more, | am very
decided about this, and 1 beg that you will
drop the subject wish you to discontinue
your visits to my daughter at once. l shall
be very glad to hear that you are prospering
in this world, but cannot give you Eva
The comfort and happiness Of my daughters
are my first and last considerations"
" But she loves me, sir"
She will get over it; young girls are not
reliable. Good morning, Mr.. Beldon, have
told you my wish-pray do not oppose it"
The young man seized his hat and quickly
withdrew but as he was passing the paror
door, little white hand was laid upon bis
arm, and be was drawn into the room and
eagerly questioned by the lovely owner Of the
aforesaid hand.
"What did he say, Henry, what did he say?"
He forbade me coming to the house at all
Eva"
She laid her head on his arm and burst into
tears. Drawing her closely to him, he talked
in low, soothing tones, until suddenly raising
her eyes to his, she said, " / cannot give you
up, Henry, wiu not give you up. If you
cannot come to see me, l shall go to you"
40, my darling, that will never do"
"Then are you willing to relinquist me so
easily ?" she asked, drawing herselfaway from
him.
"No, dearest, never, never, but we shall be
obliged to resort to stratagem, and have a
friend who will assist me. Imust 90 now, for
if your father should find me with you, he
would be very angry" and after pressing his
lips to bers he tore himself away.
William Curtis was seated In his Office, hat
on and feet resting upon the mantlepiece, in
regular batchelof fashion, when Henry Beldon
entered, looking eager and excited.
"Glad to see you old fellow" exclaimed the
former; "but see here, what's the matter p
You look little down in the mouth, i. ap-
pears to me-"
"Will, want Jour assistance"
How, where and when ?"
81 want you to WOO and win lady for me-
What's that ?"
"Just what said, exactly"
"But supposing she should be like the fair
maiden Of olden times, and say, Why dost
thou not speak for thyself p You know, Harry,
am not such a bad looking fellow"
80, it's the fair Eva, is il 2 Why, what's the
matter there, that you do not WOO and win het
yourself?"
"Her father mas forbidden me the house,
because bavn't money enough, but be will
never object to you, as you are one of fortunes
favOrites, you know. So want you to de-
vote yourself to Eva, and give me a chance to
meet her when her father thinks she is with
you"
Well, don't know Henry, it Is putting
me in pretty dangerous place. Miss Eva is
very fascinating young lady. However, if
your heart is set upon it, I'll run the risk
What shall do frst?'
$50 and invite her to ride, then when you
get to Mcridien's lane, I'll relieve you for
awhile Of your charge
"Why, Harry, you are better at vancouver
ing than Imagined when shall il be ~
Call upon her tonight, and invite her 10
ride with you tomorrow afternoon, then l
,,-;Ii ,,,oat x,,, OF tho nIoca r,antianodn