The Van Buren press., 1873-12-02

much time ana now uuch HousJ h"'e
been devoted to ameliorating the condi-
ton OF those who are berett OF reason,
aad yet nothing has been done for the
victims Of the tender passion, as II a
mans brains were Of more importance
than his heart.
have digrssssd. Had almost any
other calamity befoll my friend, there
could have been some remedy Had he
broken n limb, it might have been mend
ed a broken bone will knit together in
nine DAYS; had he cracked his skull, it
might havo been fixed by trepannihg
but Fletcher was in that peculiar sitaa
ton for which there was no present RENE
dy he was out Of humanitys reach,
But there was one consolation he was
ontraReed only with = portrait. This
was far different from falling in love with
little witch in flesh and ieod, The por'
trait could not talk; there was differ
snce, surely it couldn't take his arm OF
q moon light evening, and walk out oil
evsrybody's hearing; it could not receive
long letters, and write longer answers ;
iu a word, it could neither marry, nor
be given in marriage. " had forgotten
all this while that there was an original
to that portrait, Fletcher had not.
Some months passed away, and my
friend was rs crazy as ever. lime, IN
decd. seemed rather to increase than to
heal his malady. Ono day he entered my
room in great haste.
Il am going" said ho, Z" to Brighton,
INN cdiately, and have come fer you to
90 with me.
"Why, in the name Of common sense,
are going to Brighton 2" asked.
Il have just heard that Miss Ellen
Vincent is there. know the street and
the number. There can be no mistake.
"And 80 you intedd to call upon her,
with no other introduction than your
own impudence Fletcher, this is worse
than | should have expected, even from
you. warn YOU new-as you regard
your-'
"Oh you need not 60 on; anticipate
what YOU intend to say. | have heard
it so often that have it all by heart Be-
sides, have made up my mind on the
subject. The train leaves at three. We
have no time TO lose Just send down
your portmanteau, | will hear it all when
we are on our journey, though 1t be Tor
tho hundrsdth time. will-upon my
word. | willard will not get asleep,
AZ did the last time, but will bear il with
all possible patience. Aud then, il you
convince me. Moscs-and you know you
will-we will return.
Finding that nothing could restrsia
him, | consented to bear him company,
in the hope that my guardian care might
prove in some way beneficial.
When We arrived at the famous water
ing place, Fletchcr's first visit was to a
friend, who, rather fsrtunately-or, rath
er, unfortunatsly-kncw the lady OF
whom hs was in such impatient quest
He promised an introduction; and my
COMPANION returned to his hotel, and
passed the remainder Of the day IN dress
ing 1t was the first time had ever seen
him nsat--this love works sad changes
in mans eharacter-and he was reslly
a 6ns locking fellsw.
At the appointed time his friend ar
rived, and they departed together. | was
reading a very interesting work on par.
tial insanity and mental hallucinatisn,
when / was interrupted by Fletchers
well known step. Iheard him, as he ~
cended the stairs, give orders to BE-
awakened at six.
"What 10 tho matter now 7" inquired
a. he entered.
"Why, it's all up! Would you believe
t7 Miss Vincent went to Hastings this
very meraing. But the train starts At
seven. You viii go, Of course"
Here WAS quandary. | certainly was
unwilling to leave the victim to the guild
ance of his owA rscklessness. llc ight
be off in n tangent from Hastings to New
York or Egypt, or the North Psls. /
consented to 20, upon condition that we
should return in three days at farthest
This insisted upon, not with the re-
metest hspe Of its ful1llmsnt, but merely
as an excuse TO my own conscience.
In due time va arrived at Hastings.
We had scarcely entered our hotel, when
my companion deserted me. In few
hours he returned With most joyful
eountenance.
81 have caught her at last ho ex
claimed, as he entered. "Shc is here. ="
Here he compressed his Il ps with exuta
ton She is soon to give ball on her
birth day. have seen our friend smith
and no has promised to obtain an invita-
ton for each OF us,
"Indeed y said "you are kind. At
whose request, pray, did you solicit an
Invitation for me-
ooh! supposed you would like to
90, Of course. But don't make n bother
about il, ! will take no denial
The next morsing, notes Of invitation
wero sent to both Of us.
:" wonder if tho post is in ?" said !.
81 wonder il there will be large as
sembly ?" was the response.
"What agloomy day" continued ],
scratching my name in the vapor which
| had breathed on the window.
"What beautiful writing observed
my friend. Just look at it,"
+" Beautiful can't read it for the liro
Of me. What word 10 that"
Nonsense you have got the wrong
paper. ! mean tho rosecolorsd. Do
you suppose a lady writes invitations on
foolseapY y
My friend had become learned in the
manners and customs OF the ladies.
"You have improved wonderfully, "
said |, "sincc last summer. When your
sister sent to you for apair Of gloves,
l. f<, ka In rh