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

common councilman Nl lHt cry bl AfAh-
don by election, to the Prospsrou. busi-
ness and municipal houors established
and acquired by hi. respectable, pains
taking parent Mr. Robert simpson, sl.
belt arrived at the age Of lhifty.dye, was
ELL. q bachelor, and not only unappropri-
ted but q. ward rumor reported, un-
promised al perfect liberty, 10 fact, TO
bestow himself. bi. very desirable stock
IL trade. bushes. premises, aud freehold
houses in the Poultry, upon any fair lady
fortunate enough to engage bis affection
and able TO return &c.
Net that Mr. Simpson was by any
means iusensib]e TO female fascination;
be was, unfortunately. ior his own peace
of mind, somewhat too susceptible; an
ardent admirer Of bcanty in all IL, hucs
and varieties, from the fair maidtus of
the pale North to the richer glow aud sur-
ycilace Of his dishonored father, joined
to q constitutional timidity be Wa, quite
unable to overcome, had, however, suf-
feed during that genIlemau's life time to
prevent rash impulse from cventualiog in
rash deed.
/ lie was also, must mention, extremely
iastidiou, in bis notions Of feminine deli
cacy and reserve; and his especial antip-
aihe, were red hair or anything APP
preaching to red and obliquity OF vision
Of the slightest Kind. Such was the Mr..
Robert Simpson, who about two O'Clock
on the afternoon OF March the lst 1877,
stepped, richly aud serupulou-ly attired,
into brougham, specially retained to
convey him 10 dine at his friends Mr..
John Puckiord's modest, but comfortable
establishment al Mile End, where he was
by expires. arrangement to meet his eX-
I pected, eX2 X2ectaut bride. Before however,
rclatn. what there betel him, IL will be
necessary to put the reader in possession
OF certain important incidents which had
occurred during the three previous days.
On the evening Of the preceding Tues
day Mr.. Simpson, finding himself at the
east end of the town, and, moreover,
/ strongly disposed, resolved to ''drop in''
upon his new acquaintance, hoping to
find him and his wife alone. In this,
however, he was doomed 10 disappoint-
mcnt; for he had scarcely withdrawn his
hand from the knoeker when he was
startled-Mr. Simpson was, as | have
before hinted, singularly bashful per-
son in the presence Of the fair aud better
half OF crcation--by the sound of female
voices issuing, in exuberant merriment
from the parlor There was company, it
was evident; and Mr. Simpsons first i'm
pulse was to fly. As the thought crossed
his mind the door opened, and Mr.. Puck
ford, who CHANGED to be in the passage,
espyng him, he was fain 10 make a yir-
tue of necessity, aud was speedily in the
midst Of the party whose gayety had so
alarmed him. That the introduction was
managed in the usual way | have no
doubt; but the names, however, distinct
~ uttered, seem to have made no impres.
sion upon the confused brain of the bash.
ful visitor, so that when, after the lapse
of few minutes, he began to recover bis
composure, he found himself in the pre-.
sence of three ladies and one gentleman,
of whose names as well as persons he was
proudly ignorant. The ladies were two
of Mr.. Puckford's married sisters, and
Miss Fortescue, young lady of reduced
fortune, at present occupied as teacher
in ueighboring seminary. The gentle.
man was Mr. Alfred Gray, a bachelor
like Mr.. Simpson, but nothing like so old
and scarcely 50 hashfal Mrs Frazer
the eldest Of the two sisters q charming
ladylikc person, OF YOU wanld SAY, iadg,
ing from appearances, tweniy-thrce OF
twcnty-iOur years OF age. seemed-attcl
some oscillation between her anG Mrs
Holland, whose fuller proportions, darb
hair, aud brunette complexion, coutrasted
not unlayorably with the lighter figure
and features Of her sister--to cngross Mr.
Simpsons whole atteneniiop, aud tC
arouse, after while all his conversation
al energies which by The way were by nC
means contemplate.
MIR simpsons time was come, ere
couple Of honrs had fed the hapIess iron
monger was hurt PAST all surgery; hat
fallen desperately in love with q married
lady, aud the mother Of three or foul
children, On the only single female pre-
sent, Miss Fortescue, Mr. Simpson be
slowed bat one glance on entering tht
apartment; that had been quite -uilicien
70 check any desire for a more intimatl
pcrusal OF features. The lady combine,
bis two sndpaihjes; her hair Wa. decid
ly red and strong east. to use mil,
term, detractcd from the uncommon
brillianey ot her miId-glancing cye. Sb'
p took very slight part IN the conversation
aud that lute, So absorbed wa. Mr.. simp
sou. wa- bg him utterly uuAecded Sb
wore, Ike her friend Mrs. Frazer,
plaid dres-, and lbc balti.maI name @
d both Wa MARY
!. The adie- departed early, and Mr.
Simpson, aud Mr. Guy followed their eH
ample few minutes alierwari. M
traK. said she former gentleman, s.. b
took leave Of hl- companion at the end o
giic street what ]. thar charming person
uuma ! baFc quite forgotten u,
Which charming person: euqaired Nj
Alfred GRAY. with quiet .miie
Tia. Alt simpson iAougll very al
sagd question. be, however, replied
The lady ia the plaid dfess MARY Mu
Puekiosd called her. ....
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