Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-02-06

on me one OF the most comieal looks ever saw.
Then as the carriage had stopped at the
door, he stepped down on the sidewalk and
with her n short time in a low
tone. Then the carriage passed on, and he
came back into the store and took me into
tho counting room. As we entered the
counting room he gave me just such nudge
as l had given him, and turning curious,
quizzical look on me said 7|"
Love at FIRST sight, Ell Pretty well for
you, Frahk-completely dazzled to begin
with. Shall send for restoratives ?" And
then he looked at me more comically than ev-
er, and laughed outright. SEQ.
l was little nettled at the way he did
this and replied "You are hard on me,
Charley. Can't person express an opinion
about womans looks without being quizzed
aud made fun off"
I Yes, certainly, that is all right. But
when you fall to admiriug mans own wife,
aud tell him so before his face, you must ex.
pect you have made yourself target for
raiery." And here Charley laughed still
louder than ever.
"Your wife, Charley? was that your
wife n
Z" Yes, indeed, she is nay wife. But what
Of that ? Is she not good looking enough for
me ?"
" Yes, Charley, she is the most splendid
looking woman ever saw.
" You are getting enthusiastic, Frank.
1t matters but very little about her looks,
but she is Just as good as she is good looking.
She is as nearly the perfection of womauly
goodness as it is possible for woman to be. y
Well, Charley, you seem to have good
opinion Of her. But, really, do think she
is superb creature. But how happened
you to have such luck in picking out a
wife ?"
Such luck !"
Charley repeated the words, and then
broke out into another fit of laughter. After
that had subsidized, he continued:
There wasn't any luck about it, Frank
1 didn't pick her out. Destiny picked hei
out, and then married her to me"
Destinyf'
"Yes, Frank, destiny. There is no luck
about such matters. These things are al
cut and dried before hand You ,wouldn
doubt this if you had had my experience.
You must have had singular expert
rience, then, Charley. Suppose you tell mt
all about it, for it must be very interesting.
1t is long story, Frank, and | mus
attend to business the rest Of the day, but i
you will come and spend the evening at ny
house | will tell you all about it, provided
you will promise me not to steal her anC
carry her off to some brigand's cave. Ate
you have heard the story you shall see he
for youself, and then you will be able I,
Judge what prize she is"
"Well. Charley, | shall be sure to be Their
to hear the story" Saying this went on
and returned to my hotel to dinner, whicl
dinner just completes this sixth and las
preface to this history.
When | came to Boston, commenced Char
ley, after had settled myself into luxu
rious chair in his elegant library, was tax
en- into my sisters family. Mr.. Merrill
chose to have it 80, and as sister Rachel wa
equally DESTROYS Of it, was glad of tn
chance. As they we're very wealthy an
moved in the highest circles of society, l wa
naturally brought into contact with more o
less Of their acquaintance. | frequent
had invitations to parties where they wer
invited.
One of Mr.. Merrill's acquaintance was
Col Richard Merriam. He was man {
nearly sixty years, widower, with only on
child, a daughter of some twenty year
Col. Merriam was exceedingly wealthy, an
his daughter was considered surpassingl
beautiful. Very soon after my arrival
town, heard my sister frequently speak {
her intimate friend, Rosa Merriam. Sh
said she was at that time away on visit
some Of her relatives in the Southern State
and would not be back for nearly yea
But she told me so much about Rosa's beat
ty and sweetness that had my curiosit
quite excited to see her. She told me, how
ever, that it would be of no avail for me
fall in love with her, as her father was NJ
only exceedingly rich and proud, but th'
Rosa was already engaged to a wealth
young lawyer by the name Of Lucius Collin
He was very aristocratic and proud, AT
withal dashing, reckless sort of sportir
character Rachel said she wondered thi
Rosa ever took fancy to him, and mo
than once she intimated her belief that
was more the old gentleman's doings thu
Rosa's. She did not believe but somethir
would happen to break up the match
was her opinion that Collins had becon
dissipated and addicted to gambling, and
Col. Merriam become satisfied of this
would never give his consent to the marrag
| D. 4. h
said it would not help me as Col Merria
would never consent to her marrying al
but rich man. Occasionally Rachel 7
ceived letters from her, aud frequently 8
would read some portions Of them to n
These only served to increase my curiosit
1t was not long before was able to put {
these stories together and form quite
opinion concerning her, and | had also lear
! ed pretty near the whole history OF her fal
iIy affairs and matrimonial OrOsDects