The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1871-03-17
Mwrellaneons Selertions.
MAGGlE'S SECRET,

MARRIAGE--The great astroloser, SiRno,
Morgan, viii return correct likeness of YOU,
future partner upon Tecsipt of thirty stamps
Name, age, and sex must be given, with
slight description Of personal appearance. Ad
dress Signor Morgani, &C., 60.
"And this is your advertisement,
Morgan? All well!-I suspect youi
dupes are principally old maids and
shool girls"
The speaker, a young man Of
about fve-and twenty, threw down
the local paper with merry peal OF
laughter. He was very handsome,
with fine dark eyes, that sparkled be-
meath the long lashes with almost
boyish glee. The person addressed
known in the advertising columns
as the Signor Morgsni, was no other
than certain plain Tom Morgan, a
regular slip-shod, careless fellow,
who, after trying his hand at various
trades, and failing in all, had finally
hit upon the above mode, waich
gratitied his indolent disposition, by
calling forth little exertion save the
exercise of that literary ingenuity of
which he possessed a large share.
He had formerly been a school
friend Of Jack Carleton's, who, an
hour or two before the opening of
his story, had fallen in with him on
his return from a Continental tour,
undertaken nominally for the benefit
of his health, but more possibly to
help to get rid Of the large income
left him by his father.
The young men had grasped
hands cordially enough when they
recognized each other, and soon az
ter adjourned to the lodgings of
Morgan, to have a talk over old
times. -
1t was during this talk that Nor
gan confded to his friend his pres
ent mode ofliving, with strict injunc-
tions to keep it a profound secret;
''as of course you see, old fellow
said he, ''it might prove my ruin if
known"
Jack, however, did not see how
his friend could be in a greater state
of ruin than he appeared to be at
present.
''You were always good-for no
hing scamp, Tom" said he.
And you were always a lucky
log, Jack" returned Tom. t'By the
BY, what are you going to do with
yourself this Christmas?'' 7,
"Why to spend it in the tolHest
'tyle in the jolliest place in Christ
'ndom," replied Jack. "Tmy have
lot seen me at Barby Holt for eight
ears, and l expect grandmother and
he rest of them will go mad with
oy when l make my sudden ap-
'earance there"
With this fattering conclusion
dr. Jack Carleton elevated his feet
epose on the mantle piece. "Bar
Holt Manor, in Nottinghamshire2"
the signor, suddenly.
"The very same, old boy,'' said |
lis companion. "Why doyou ask7' |
"Only that 1 had a letter from !
here to-day replied Tom.
"a letter what sbout2" inquired !
lack, with innocent coolness. |
"Why, concerning my ADVERTISE
nent, of course" answered Tom,
umaging among some papers.
An, one ofmy grandfathers guests
suppose, in for q lark" said Jack.
What's his name ?
1T is not man." replied Tom;
she signs herself Maggie Barton.''
maggie Bartonr' exclaimed Jack
! know her-at least did. May /
cad it p he asked, eagerly.
1t was letter, in a girlish hand
1riting, describing herself as tall
nd slight, with golden hair and
azel eyes, and requesting to be ia
ored with = carte de risite of her
utule husband, by return ofpost, of
curse. Enclosed in the envelope
Ias the fee of thirty stamps.
Carleton held the letter up before {
is eyes long after he had read it. {
he writer name, Maggie Barton - l
Vas associated with very pleasant l
icture in this young mans mind.
,ong ago, on bright summer day t
! the woods, the sunlight glancing |
trough the boughs fell on the gay {
CURES of picnic party. One fig II
re in particular seemed very plain 8
! his memory; it was that of a girl f
bout twelve years old, With her
olden hair falling from under the
road brim OF a sun hat with blue t
.bbons. He could see her distinct
, now. The graceful figure, raised f
n tiptoe, to reach some unattain c
BILE flower OF fruit. The white /
rms reaching high, the beseeching
yes under the shadow of the hat
nd this was Maggie Barton Then '
e, O tall lad of seventeen, easily I
3aching the coveted treasure caught f
he wiltul beauty by the hairs, say /
lg, @You owe me a kiss for this, G
Iaggie. VIII you pay me whenever I
ohOOao IN claim a. 20