Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-05-18

anxiously awaiting lis pleasure, end he made
a desperate effort.
"Miss Lane, I've understood--
"Yes, sir ?" replied that lady intsrrogaiive-
ly. as Nathaniel's understanding met with a
quistus.
Matters wero becoming serious, at least with
poor Nathaniel, and anything but agreeable
to Mrs. Lane, who was at her wits end to
know the meaning of such strange proceed
ing. To rccede now was impossible, thought
the unfortunate man, and lie bFaced lliu.selffor
smother trial
Miss Lane, suppose yOu know I'm sin-
gle man ?" he said, and his lips quivered.
She thought him singular man, if not an
idiot or lunatic; bu; size said nothing, and
awaited developments
81 have been advised to give you call, ~
Nathaniel continued, gaining little confidence
from the comparatively smooth progress of the
interview thus far" and perhaps you might
render ne"
Another halt, another cough and more ner-
vousneSs.
"If can render you any service shall be
happy TO do so, said Mrs Lane, thinking that
hsr visitor was laborins under some mental
alteration or domestic aflliction.
Nathaniel felt encouraged-in fact, elated.
What could this answer mean but an invi-
tation to come to tho interesting climax at
once, and relieve both parties? No sooner
thought than octed upon Wip;ng lis per-
spring forehead, lie burted out:
Miss Lane, I'm single man, and want
a wife. A friend Of mine has told ne that
you have spoken of me in favorable kind Of
way, and advised NE to come and see YOU
VIII you marry me ?"
1t is strange how susceptible Of sudden
change is ones temper, and especially a wO-
mans. Mrs. Lane, not dreaming of such
termination Of affairs, was astounded, and,
very properly, highly indignant.
What do you mean, sir, by insulting me,
a married woman, in this way ?" she cxcaim-
ed " leave my house immediately and she
opened the door to accelerate her offenders
exit.
"A marriedg woman-O, Lord" gesped
poor Nathaniel, who had risen from his seat
and stood trembling from head to foct, and in
bis fright and confusion he bolted out of the
door, leaving his hat behind him.
On board the train that left the village Of
M-tbat evening there might have been
seen, in one corner Of the car, woe-bcgone
man, holding with one hand huge carpet bag
upon his knee, willie with the other he now
and then wiped his face with Lis pocket hand
kerchief This individual was no other than
poor Nathaniel Wilson, who. filled with grief
and modification at lis ridiculous performance
that afternoon, had hastily gotten together his
worldly all, and was flying from the scene Of
his disgrace.
But "All's well that ends we'll !" and never
had the proverb more striking illustration
than in the cruel hoax Of which Nathaniel
Wilson had been made the victim. But few
days had elapsed after Mrs Lanes interview
with Nathaniel, when that lady received news
Of the death Of her husband, which occurred
several weeks previously in tho distant coun-
Try whittier be had gone. In the meantime,
the heartlsss joke that had been played upon
Nathaniel had come 10 the cars of Mrs Lane,
and with It so favorable q mention Of Nathan
iels moral standing in tho community, that
the lady, in her goodness Of heart, wrote 20
Nathaniel a letter Of regret for the injury she
had innocently done him, and assuring him of
the respect with which she had come to regard
him.
The missive received from the oyeroyod
Nathaniel a prompt response. A correspond
ence was established and continued between
the two so udicrsusly brought together, and
in little more thau a year after his departure,
Nathaniel returned home to consummaie in
marriage the courtship SO inauspciously
begun. His short experience among
strangers had wrought wonderful change in
him the awkward, basbful fellow had indeed
" made man Of himself" and none arc more
highly esteemed in the village Of M-than
Mr.. and Mrs. Wilson.