New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-11-14

with Mary oftcscue Sureis noS wa!
do you ask?
ssOnIv that here IS a letter from Simpson
profes ing violent love for her; and stating
his determination. should you and be able
to assure him, which he scarcely ventures to
hope, that she is disengaged, to Immediately
solicit her hand in marriage:
''Read the :etter yourself. Her beauty, he
observes. is, he is quite sure, her last recon.
incubation. Comical, isn't t?''
"Woll, it is odd; but she is, you know,
most amiable creature, and will make, am
sure, an admirable wife,"
Sand he, too, that so especially deiests
red hair, or the slightest twist in the organs
Of vision
"Mary Fortescue's hair" interrupted the
wife, ''can scarcely be called red; very deep
golden color should say"
.sVery deep, intleed-rcmarkably 81, - in
te!iected Mr.. Puckford.
And as to the slight cast in her eyes, that
no one observes after q few days acquaint-
ance with her.
II suppose we may, with a safe conscience,
assure him that she is not engaged:'
"Of course we may. It's wonderful
match for her, and we ought to do all we can
to forwardit. Friday next, the LIST OF March,
IS Allrc,i's birthday; suppose you ask HIM
TO dine with us on that dayto meet her. We
terlay evening""
This was finally agreed upon and accord
inslv, as soon as he had finished his business
in the city, MIR. Puckford, previous to return
ing home, called on Mr.. Simpson. He found
him in a state of great excitement, which,
however, gradually claimed down after Mr.
puckf0r,l's solemn assurance, which ne gave
uuhestat;ngly, that the charming Nary For
tescue was certainly diseDgaged; and in his
opinion. by no means indisposed to entertain
an eligible matrimonial proposition. All
was balm to the stricken Simpson; and after
several failures, he at last succeeded in in
diting a formal offer of his hand and for
tune to the lady of his affection; OF which
impassioned missive Mrs. PuckfOrd was to
be the bearer; her husband undertaking that
she would exert all her eloquence and in
fIuence to secure acceptance of the proposal.
"And now, Mr.. Puckiord,' said Mr.. Simp-
son, "we'll have glass of wine, and drink
the future Mrs. Simpsons health. What q
charming ornament" he added, with sort
of raptmous sigh, as he placed the decanter
on the table" what a charming ornament
she would be to this fireplace!"
''An odd expression, that" thought Mr..
Puckford, forgetting that the speaker was an
ironmonger, and dealt in such articles. In
fact, from the way in which Simpson had
been rapturizing upon Miss Fortescue' IS
charms, a doubt of his friends perfect sanity
had sprung up in John Puckford's mind, and
he shrewdly suspected that the affair would
terminate in a dc luaatico inquireadO instead
of Ii license.
'.Do YOU know, Puckford, )" said Mr.. Simp-
son, with benevolent, patronizing air, after
the third and fourth glass" do you know, l
fancy there is great likeness between you
and Mary Fortescue ::'
Mr.. John Pucklord, the reader must under
stand, was n handsome young man, with
brilliant tiOrid complexion, perfectly agree
ing vision, and light brown hair. No wonder,
therefore. he was more startled than flattered
BY the comparison. The color mounted to
his temples, and a conviction OF Simpson S
utter insanity flashed across his brain. Mad
as March hare - ne mentally calculated /:
at the same time resolving, should the
paroxysnl grow dangerously violent. to
knock him down with one Of the decanters /;
both of which, as two could play at that
game, he drew, as if in doubt which wine he
would take, to his OwR side of the table.
Mr.. Simpson, installing the nature of his
friends emotion, added, Don't suppose,
Pu.kforl, intend any absurd iiittery?'
Not at all, simpson; 1 didn't suppose
anything of the sort, assure you."
ito be sure nothing is more contempt
BILE. You are good-looking fellOw-very;
but, Of course, could not mean .-.dt you,
a man, are to be compared to Mary For
tescue."
81 should think not!' dryly responded
the more mystitied and beWildered Puck
ford.
Exactly; Yen do not resemble each other
about the eyes, either III color or express
sion."
"Oh!"
"No: as to hair" continued Mr.. Simpson
Iueditatively, ''yours, there can be no doubt
is decidedly the lightest."
! '.It's coming now thought Mr.. John
puckford, grasping at the same time, one
of the decanters, and cycling his friend in
tense!y.
Mr.. simpson, quite misinterpreting the ac.
| ton, added quickly, 'Do, my good fellow
fill me a bumper, and we'll drink our good
locking friends health the lady. | mean
with the dark, silky hair and brunette com
plexion. ''Do you know" continued the
complaccnt Mr.. Simpson, crossing his legs
throwing himself back easily in his chair and
hooking his thumbs to the arnholes Of his
waistcoat do You know that if Mary For.
| ,escue had not been at your house yesterday
| evening, might have"
| What the worthy ironlnoirser might, IN the
case supposed, have done 0r said, must be
left to the readers imagination, for Oh the
| instant clerk hurriedly entered the apart
| ment TO announce that an important customer
| awaited Mr.. Simpson in the counting house
below. Hastily rising, Mr.. Simpson shook
hands with his friend, and both departed
! their several ways-Nr. EuckfOrd bearing of
| the epistle addressed to Miss Fortcscue, and
| u.ising, as he went, upon the lovers mad
ness, which, he fully agreed with Kosalind,
| deserved chains and dark house quite as
! much as any other variety u the disease.
The next day AIr. simpson received note
from Mary FOrtescue, sasdestly and grace
fully expressed, in which, with charming hu-
miity, and many expressions of gratified
surprise, the offer of his hand was-on one
condition, to be explained, but which rested
altogether with hiniself-gratefuliy accepted.
Such was the state Of affairs when, On the
LIST of March, Mr.. simpson, as have before
stated, entered brsugham and directed the
driver to make the best Of his way to Mile
End. 1t was fine, bright and exceedingly
cold day; but, Notwithstanding the Ripping,
eager air, the love-iora irOnmonger, as he
approached the house which contained his
char,ner, was in state Of preilsc perspira-
ten and nervous excitement. Once more he
drew from his pocket the fairy nste and
glanced over the modest, grateful, delieateiy-
feminine expressions. ''Desr Lady," he au-
ditiy exclaimed, as he finished about the five
lnndrefl,h rtcrusal of the familiar lines