The Cairo daily bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1870-1872, 1872-02-04
JOHN JACOB ASToR'S WIFE,


a. Y. Cor. CinHnnsu Commercially
Dlt Mr.. Astor was = sturdy, energetic,
.'n',.', ..psc woman. WHO ia her full
,.r toward tlo accumulation ot the COL
s..ll fj~iurca soc possessed that won
.-t,l ,..i,H,,.c rf mind which decided
o.,ye}y avid corr,ctlv. Besides this she
..E ,vrc,i practical knowledge, not only
,s..r un excellent housewife, but I'M hc-
.n liant and .a'cswuman. About iu's
.ae knew more than her hpsmnc, ara
more often selected % cargo for export
tan be H. sandal wood too. the mon-
,polv of importation Of which Mr.. As'or
IT,. we'd for nearly twenty years, she was
he foremost expert in the trade.
Though the lady, when considerably
advanced in years, cared nothing for socie-
~. and made No pretensions TO iashloh,
vet ut her evening hreside-the logs
ieaped To- the hundrons, the wax candles
GIFTED, apples, nuts and II pitcher OF ci-
ter ON the table. and he- knitting Work
lefore her--shc was the best OF 5 Org TEL
ers. and made AN hour or TWO infinitely
attractive, even to young people.
She was fond of gossip. The ages OF
people. ancient lave affairs, early difhcnl-
ties, failures, reasons why certain tulks
should not hold their beads so high, family
f.uds and one knows hardly what else,
were at her tongues end. she told her
story graphically, and at times with u
good deal OF puthns. For example, take
the following of Helen Brasher, who had
refused six eligible offers before she was
eighteen. Mr.. Charles Downing, who
hal Just LETT the counting
room Of nm eminent firm where he had
served seven years, then began tn pay his
address to her. He courtrd her year,
and then went to Europe. While abroad
he did not write. All this while there was
pnly one Of the beaux whom the mother
liked. the daughter regarded this favor
tie of her mother with disliKc-was busy
whenever he called, avoided him whore II
was possible, and wondered at his patience
and furbetrance under her scSrn
One morning he caught her beloT,
she could escape from the drawing
| loom. Addressing her, he SAID "Helen
why do you always fly from me ? Why
will you never give me an opportunity o
| declaring my attachment for you lie
! this morning decide my fate.
Very well, sir replied the lady. .
do not wish to keep any gentleman II
suspense. ] cannot encourage your nd
dresses. l esteem you, but
tell you f,ankly that i fee
preference for Mr.. Charles Down
ing, and, il he returns entertaining 70
me the same sentiments he expressed whe
he left, shall probably marry him
Arc you certainly engaged to Nj
Downing p anxiously inquired the love
mo, sir, not in so many words, M
verbally, 10 fact, but mentally
Then, my dear Miss Helen, conser
to be verbally engaged to me, and mel
tally to Mr.. Downing
Would You marry any lady unI'
such circumstances
Yes. l would marry you under sue
circumstances with all my heart al
soul
And risk your future happiness |
: marrying II lady who prefers another
e Miss Helen replied the devoted love
, II will risk anything to obtain you, NJ
shall be amply compensated for every ri'
if you will consent 10 be mine
: True rove don't 20 unrewarded.' sa
= Mrs. Aston and she took pinch OF snu
1 " Mr.. Downing did not come back fro
London for many years. The New Yot
lover was here, pressed his suit, obtain,
G consent, and the lovely Helen became h
wife,