Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-01-13
The Leisure Hour.
yv'HECH OWE, Or THE B.zCHRL-
OR'S QU.s.TD.9RF.
.BY BELLE FINLAYsoN.

DR.. Herbert Keyser sat in his inner of
fee. He was a good looking bachelor, with
lucrative practice. Around the room,
and ranged on the mantel, were some rep
tiles of different species preserved in alco-
hol, and on a shelf some human bones ar
tistically arranged. In the far corner was
grim skeleton forever presenting its me-
mento mort, and near the pleasant, sunny
window, which looked out on the grassy
lawn, stood the book ease, with its valua-
BILE and varied stock.
1t was into this private Office the doctor
retired when he wished to read or write
undisturbed by intruders. But, today,
while the laughing May gamboled over the
fields, he did not seem to be poring over
any new diagnosis, or puzzling his brain
about the abstruse art of pharmaceutics.
On the contrary, DIR. Herbert, as he was IA
miliarly called, held in his hands q small
volume of poems fresh from the bindery,
and before him, in a delicate vase, was
small bunch Of spring beauties and wild
violets.
The doctor certainly seemed to be in a
profound reverie this beautiful spring
morning, as he alternately read and dream
ed. Occasionally his eyes were directed to
the bottle of picked snakes, or the osseous
| them to indorse the roseate sentiments lust
now bubbling up in his heart, or to second
the gigantic project he was then and there
planning.
But see, his lips move! he speaks and
now, if we but listen to his soliloquy, we
will be in the secret.
"Yes, must marry; have settled that
question beyond doubt I have now at
tanned an age, at which all men should be
provided with wives. My profession yields
me comfortable living, and am certain
the ladies are all well pleased with my ap-
pearance and general manners. l don't
consider myself far behind Lionel Hays
whose wealth and personal attractions
seem to render him the conquering hero
in this town of Middleton.
"But the most important question is
whom shall marry? Finding a wife tC
exactly fill the bill is rather difficult mat
ter. I must have one that is intellectual as
well as domestic ; and then, as to beauty
she must certainly be possessed of grea
personal charms, or I never could fancy
her. And about wealth, let me see; littl,
filthy lucre wouldn't be amiss. There i,
Helen Dunlap, who, in point of wealth ant
beauty, excels them all. The glorious bru
nette is perfectly dazzling, and then he
fathers Golfers are running over. an
certain could get her at the drop of hat
(glancing askance at the mirror) but bah
she wouldn't suit me at all. Illiterate
shallow and insipid-not a domestic trai
about her. All she thinks of is compan,
and gewgaws-not the wife for me. Nov
there is Bertha Reynolds, who is as swee
as a clover bio ossom, with her bonny bTowi
braids twisted around her Madonna brow
and then there is a certain charm about he
when in her presence that is perfectly ire
sistible; and so domestic withal-sh
would be perfect treasure. The artist
arrangement of all those lovely flowers
besides the excellent management of tn
little house and household are all due
her refined taste and domestic culture.
declare, If other things were equal, Berth
should soon become Mrs. Keyser. But tn
thought is not to be entertained for a mo
ment; for they are very poor, besides
should think the lady's intellect was not {
a very brilliant type; though, I must say
she sustains her side of conversation yer
well, and have never put her abilities
very deep test. will take this volun
OF poems to her and see what slIe thinks
Viola, and let her criticism guide my judl
ment in this matter. Yes (once more CLAM
ing at the poems) Viola is my ideal. I'll
eloquent thoughts from her glowing pc
affect my soul as nothing ever did befor
e l am certain she is my affinity, If can bl
! ever find her. l have never failed to rea
!, her weekly production, as II appeared
the Middleton Gazette, besides her oth'
contributions to the standard periodical
I Yes, am unquestionably and irrevocabl
| in love, and Viola Is the goddess that
worship. With what delight hailed Il
publication of her poems, as they came
priceless collection all beautifully boun
. and it is owing to their perusal that fr
myself in such a sentimental mood tn
8 morning. But don't know, after ALL vi
on second thought literary ladies a
e generally fearfully plain and devoid of o
u those virtues that brighten the hearihstoI
of home. Was ever mortal In such a quai
Daryl"