Weekly Trinity journal., 1873-02-08
SATURDAY. FEBRUARY y, Is73.
JOHN WARREN'S IDEAL.

w hlle at Seavlew, last summer, |
formed the acquaintance of Mr.. and Mrs.
John Warren, the most interesting and
charming couple ever had the pleasure
of meeting. We boarded in an ancient
two-story house, whose roof and sides
were covered with messy shingles. 1t
rejoiced in a large yard in front, filled
with gnarled apple and ounce trees, and
beds of old fashioned flowers. A row of
silver naples divided the garden from
the sand. There were few rustic seats
near the gate, where we often sat for
hours watching the restless waves, which
came roaring and laundering over the
pebbly beach, until they broke within
few feet of us.
1t is said that "three arc too many"
but did not feel that such was the case
while in :heir society, for we had many
delightful conversations together. had
been an advocate Of marrying opposites,
but after noting the almost perfect SINH
arity of temperament, tastes and talents,
as well as the oneness of thought and re-
ciprocity of feeling which existed between
them, felt obliged to change my mind,
for more happily united pair never
expect to find again in this world. They
were both we'll educated and refined.
They not only sketched and painted, but
sang and played and conversed we'll.
once remarked to Mr.. Warren that |
never saw two people so much alike as
himself and wife, and he answercd:
"That is because married my dedl.
| will tell you how | found her, and if
you do not agree with me that marriages
are made in heaven | shall be greatly
mistaken. l had reached the ripe age OF
thirty-fve without falling in love with
any one except an imaginary woman.
My home for years had been in New
York City-my profession was that Of n
journalist. ] was partner in the pro-
prietorship of certain live periodical,
and, had just before the commencement
OF my story, been elected junior editor
One evening | received call from the
head man Of the firm, and after lengthy
consultation, as he was about to leave,
he remarked 1t strikes me that you
are living in single wretchedness too long.
You are now abundantly able to support
n wife, and as you are n rising young
inlx Ian,
finding "A lady to your taste in your large
circle of acquaintances. My advice is,
take partner for life. Good cvening.'
"'Thank you,' soliloquized, for your
unasked counsel, but shall never mar
ry unless | can find my ideal, and taking
up my hat, l started for the Academy.
A celebrated lecturer was already on the
platform. | took my seat and looked
toward the speaker, when the magnetic
power of pair of eyes at my left caused
me to turn quickly around, and there |
behcld for the first time, in physical
presence, the fac simile of the ideal face
which had haunted my mental vision for
years, rendering me indifferent to all the
many charms of my lady friends.
" Yes, as true as you live, had seen
those very dark, soul-lit eyes, those firm
ly cut, crimson lips, that pure, broad ,sin
tellectual forehead shaded with clustering
curls. That dark, sparkling, patrician
face, with its rich, changing color, had
often appeared to me in my waking and
sleeping dreams, had smiled at me from
amid fitting ember pictures time and
time again, until / had grown so familiar
with it that when its owner willed that |
should look around, simply recognized
it as the reality Of my childhood's, boy
hoods, msnhood's ideal. As our eyes
met, crimson flush, accompanied by an
expression of soul recognition, flashed
over her countenance, and she turned
toward the lecturer, but again and again
| could feel without looking at her, that
her eyes burned upon my face.
"The lecture came TO close, and |
lost sight Of her in the crowd but as |
rode homeward knew that somewhere,
sometime, ] should meet her again-that
her future life would be blended with
mine. Occasionally restless longing
for her tangible presence took possession
ofmy soul, but my time was so entirely
occupied that | had very little leisure
for idle day-dreams.
81 was boarding at the A House
that year, and one evening, several
months later, met lady in the hall,
who, although closely yelled, reminded
me of my dream-wife. That night
dreamed that the hotel was on fire that
my ideal was being burned alive in
certain room-No. 4S-on the second
floor.
Suddenly / was awakened by cry
of" Fire !" sounding through the house.
| sprang out of bed and dressed myself,
then hastened toward the left wing of the
second story, instead of following the ter
riiied crowd down stairs. The impress
sion Of my dream was still SO strong
upon me that all thoughts of self pre-
servation or personal fear were merged
into solicitude for the safety of the un-
known lady. found that the fire had