The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1873-03-06

rising, Mr. simpson shook bspds M0b hls
friend, aud they both departed thcir sew
eral waes--Mr. Puokford bearing oh the
epistlc addressed TO Mis-, fortiscue, and
musing a. le went upon the lovers mad
ness, which he fully agreed with Rosalind
deserved chains aud dark house quite as
much as any other variety Of the disease.
The next day Mr. Simpson received a
note from Mary Fortescue, modestly and
gracefully expressed, in which, with
charming humility, and many express
ions ol gFatiGed surprise, the offer of his
hand was-ou one condition, To be eN-
planned, but which rested altogether with
gratefully accepted.
Such was the state OF attairs when on
the lst Of March. Mr. Simpson, as have
before stated, entered brougham, and
directed the driver 20 make The best of
bis way ~ Min End, II was a fine,
bright and exceedingly cold day, but,not-
withstanding The nipping, eager air, the
loye-lorn iron monger, as he approached
the house wich contained his charmer
was IN state of protuse pcrspiration aud
nervous excitement. Once more he drew
from his pocket the fairy note, and glanc-
ed over the modest grateful, delicately-
feminine expressions. Dear Lady, he
audibly exclaimed, as he finished about
the five hundredth pernsal Of the familiar
lines, Dear Lady she will he all tears aud
tenderness.
About minute after giving utterance
to this consolatory reflection, Mr.. Simp-
son found himself in MIR. Puckford's
presence, who, congratulated him on his
punctualty, and pointing to tho door of
the front apartment, said, There is only
one lady there and you know her. Mr..
Simpsons heart leaped and thumped, as
if desirous Of bursting through his green
velvet wasteoat. He stepped desperate
~ toward the door and essayed to turn
the brass handle; but so profusely did
the bashfal mans very fingers perspire
f that they slipped round the kneb without
turning it, The second trial, with the
help of his eambric handkerchief, was
more successful, and the lover was in the
presence of the lady.
Certainly it was she! Mrs. Frazer, the
hapless Simpsons Mary Forteseue, was
there in bodily reality. But the grateful
humility, the tears and tenderness, pre-
figured by the charming note! Oh, AL
fred Graz!
E The uuruilied ease, the calm, reserved
politeness with which Mrs. Frazer receiv-
ed him, chilled his enthusiastic tervor
wonderfully.
His perspiration became cold one, and
in few moments he felt as if cnveloped
in coatings and leggings Of Wenham
Lake ice. Recovering as speedily as he
could from the shock Of this unexpected
ly chilling reception, Mr.. Simpson stam-
mered forth something about his extreme
good fortune in having obtained favor
able response from so amiable person
etc.
Certainly, replied the lady, think you
+ are very fortunate, Mr.. Simpson. And
] by the way of saying something particu-
! larly civil, and to relieve the modest
; mans embarrassment, she added: But
; few men have, like you, sufficient dis.
l elimination to discern and appreciate at.
fractions which lie hidden from the mere
4 superficial observer
4 Poor Simpson gasped for breath! lie
was literally dumbfounded! Here was
, modest gratitude, to say nothing of tears
r and tenderness, with vengence! Miss
, Fortescue with precarious salary oi
. some twenty pounds per anuum, exclu'
sive OF bread and butter, was, in hel
I opinion, comforting a tremendous obliga-
&, ton on n civic diguitary, worth at least
= twenty thousand pounds, by accepting
., him for husband. That was quite clear
e and although Mr.. Simpson was too mucl
. in love TO deny such proposition in the
a abstract, still it was, he thought, scarcely
= consistent with maiden modefay 10 state
h it so very broadly.
Notwithstanding his amazcment, Mr.
u Simpson, as soon as he recovered hi'
u breath, continued. so well had he studied
y for the occasion, to get out a sentence oI
. two about the superiority OF connubial Il
y single blesscdness. This sentiment alsC
'' met with ready acquiesccnce.
= Oh, dear, yes, said Mrs. Frazer;
;, would not have been an old maid for iht
+ world.
Well, thought the astonished admrei
OF fcmenine reserve, almost doubling th'
evidence Of his ears, this is certainly th,
frankest maiden | ever cOnyersed with
4 considerable pause followed. Mrs
;, Frazer seated upon a sofa, played witt
the luxuriant auburn really auburn
tresses Of her nephew Alfred.
" A handsome boy, at length remarke,
y Mr.. simpson; its a pity that he hasn'
different co9red hair.
h 4 pity exclaimed ihe lady; think !
* beautiful. Aud, added she. looking III,
astonished man somewhat sternly IN thr
face, | should be well pleased il every
q. one Of our children bad hair Of the ,sm,
b., color.
Th- wa. q climax Simpson leaped &,
% hj, feet 5. II impelIed by lhe shock Of
e galvauic battery. Onr children Vel
j. after thag-bul ! must De dreaming
thought the fi-lidiou. ironuunger, d. b.
10 wiped the pef.piraligu froin lds ,teamins
4. forehead. iaburiag uader some lt0rri,
,r enghaHtmcut
! Dreaming, Indeed, and 10 be swim.