The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1873-04-24
FRED ALTON'S DILEMMA.
BY BELLE BREMER.

Iu Ills uacbeiOr room, or uen, as De
called it, books and papers piled
about, clothing thrown here and there
in fact, every thing was in confus-
ion. His aunt Sophia would have
called it an "awful mess" if she had
chanced to see the condition of his
room but happily she was not there,
and there was nothing to disturb the
current of his thoughts-thought
which were now and then uttered
aloud. Let US play the caves. dropper,
and hear what he says.
81 can't stand this way of living
much longer" he remarked, reflect
lively stroking his chin. 81 must have
home of my own, and some one to
see that my dinner is cooked fit for a
civilized man to eat. Now comes the
all important question, whom shall
l marry? p Ah, there's the rub! Of
all my lady friends there are only
two that l would marry, and cannot
choose between them. There is the
magnificent Julie Orsney-Halloo
there what's the use of pounding the
door down? Come in. Why bless
me, if it aint Jack Avery My dear
fellow, how do you do?-and when
did you arrive Thought you were
rusticating somewhere in the count
try?"
The new conner, a young man of
about five and twenty years of age,
with a bright wide awake look about
him, shook his friend HEARTILY by the
hand, stretched himself in an easy
chair, and elevated his feet on the
mantle before he answered:
81 have been ruralizing bit; but
| came back yesterday. The truth is
| was lonesome in the country, and
was glad to get back to the hurry
and hustle of the city-felt as though
/ was lost at uncle Johns"
Fred was energetically hunting
among the books and papers on the
center table.
"Confound u" said he 81 can't
find anything"
His friend glanced around the
room, and seeing the confusion and
neglect, said:
81 should think not. By the way,
Fred, why don't you get married p
then your wife would keep your room
in order, and you would avoid all
this trouble"
Fred had found the object of his
search, which proved to be some ci.
gars, and the two were soon envelop
ed in smoke and philosophy. "Well
Jack, l have been thinking of com
mitting matrimony. am rather do
mestic in my habits, as you know,
but am in a terrible dilemma. ]
don't mind telling you, old fellow.
Now don't laugh, for it's serious
matter with me-; l was just thinking
about it when you came ill.,"
Jack Avery leaned back in his
chair and laughed pertorce at the
comical embarrassment of his friends
face. Fred waxed indignant.
81 might as well have kept my
troubles to myself, for I see shall
get no sympathy from you?"
"Oh, come now, don't put on the
digni6ed. Do tell me who the ladies
are that you have honored with your
affections for, as the ladies say, 81
am dying to know"
"Miss Julia Orsney and Miss Ella
King"
"Splendid girls, but do you meal
to say that you can't choose between
the two ?"
"That is what assert. Probabl,
if l could see them in their homes
free from the restraints of society,
ccnld discern some moral differences
that would influence my choice bu
you know l only see them at partieI
or at their own homes at stated hour
and one appears as lovely anC
good as the other"
"Why not 60 there in disguise
say as a peddler or beggar some sucl
character r? You might find out some
thing to your advantage"
"Why Jack, what an idea!
should never have thought of such
thing but then, I'm not clever lik
you. 1 believe I'll do it. 1t doe
look like taking advantage of tn
girls, but, then, they will never know
it. Have another cigar, and we vii
arrange the matter before you g
away. As you suggested the plan
you must help me to get up m,
disguise"
A few days afterward, feeble
looking old man rang the bell at tn
Orsney mansion. A pompous Sci
vent answered the summons.
care the ladies of the house 6
homer" asked the old man.
The servant eyed him over an
seemed at a loss what to say; at lat
she said:
"Yes, they are at home; what d
you want, old man?"
81 have some trinkets to sell pei
haps they would like to buy some
and help poor old man, who is try
ing to turn an honest penny.
"Well, / don't suppose they wi
buy anything of the likes of you
however I'll ask" So saying th
servant disappeared, but present.
returned, and took the old man
the common sitting room, where Ii
ladies were.
On a sofa, by the window, lounge
Julia, clad in an old, faded wrappe
slippers down at the heel, hair don
up in a pug, looking if not decided
slatternly, certainly not "magnii
cent?" She was reading a move
and never glanced up; her mothel
a pale quiet looking lady, sat stitch
ing on some delicate fabrics. The
she laid them down, and told Il
old man to be seated.
81 have some trinkets to SELL
Perhaps you or your daught'
would like to look at them. Shall
open my pack, madam ?"
Julia here looked up from her no
ell and seeing her mother had la
aside her work, said pettishly:
"Mamma, if you lay that trimmir
down SO often, you will never get
, done in time. You know Mrs. o
toms party is tomorrow night, and
am determined to have my DIRE
done. Fred Alton is to be ther
and l want to look my best. Ser
the old man away, and have Il
servant watch him as he goes out.
The old mans face Redeemed
this speech, and bowing to Mrs. Or
ney, he said :-"You need not ser
your servant to watch me l am I