The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1874-02-28
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The tolloN ing true story might perhaps fur
nish matter for little comedy, if comedies
were stil written in Eng land.
1t is generally the case that the more beau
full and richer young fetnale.is, the more diff
ficult are boh her parents and herself in the
choice of hlnband, and the more offers they
refuse. The ole is too tall, the other too short,
this not wealthy, that not respectable enough.
Meanwhile one horing passes after nother,an
year after year carries away leaf after laaf of
the bloom OF youth and opportunity after op-
portunity. Miss H,rrit Selwood was the rich
est heress in her naive town, but she had al
ready completed her wenty seventh year, and
beheld almost all her Joung friends united to
men whom she had, at one time or other, dis
carded. Harriet began 20 be set down for an
old maid Her parents became really uneasy,
and she herself lamented n private position
which is not natural one ,and to which those
to whom nature and fortune have been niggard
of their gifts are obliged to submit; but Har-
riet, as we have said, was handsome and very
rich
Such was the state of things when her uncle
q wealthy merchant in the north of England,
came on a visit to her parents. He vas jo-
vial, lively, straightforward man, accustomed
TO attack all difficulties boldly and cody.
"You see" said her father to him one day,
"Harriet continues single. The girl is hand
some what she is to have for her fortune, YOU
know; even in this scandal-loving town not
creature can breathe an imputation against
her"
"True," replied the uncle; ''but look you,
brother, the grand point in every affair in this
world,is to seize the right moment; this you
have not done. 1t is misfortue, but let the
girl 60 along with me, and before the end of
three months will return her to you as the
wife Of man as young and wealthy as her
self"
Away went the niece with her uncle. On
the way he thus addressed her:
"Mlnd what l am going to say. You are no
longer Miss Selwood, but Mrs. Lu,niey, my
niece, young, wealthy, childiess dow; you
had the misfortune to lose yoar husband, Col.
Lumley, after happy union of quarter of a
year, by fall from his horse while hunting"
"But uncle"
"Let me manage, if you please, Mrs. Lum-
ley. Your father has invested me with full
powers. Here, look you, is the weddng-ring
given you by your late husband. Jewels, and
whatever else you need, your aunt will supply
you with and accustom yourself to cast down
your eyes,"
The keen witted uncle introduced his niece
everywhere, and everywhere the young widow
excited great sensation. The gentlemen
thronged about her, and she soon had her
choice out of twenty suitors. Her uncle advis-
eu ner 10 accept the one deepest IN love with
her, and rare chance decreed that this should
be precisely the most amiable andopulent. The
match was soon concluded, and one day the
uncle desired to say few words to his future
nephew in private.
"My dear sir" he began, 1--WE have told you
an untruth."
GLOW so? Are Mrs. Lumley's affec ions 90"
"Nothing of the kind ; my niece is sincerely
attached to you"
"'Then her fortune suppose is not equal to
what you told me?"
"On the contrary, it is larger"
"Well, what is the matter then?"
"a ioke,-an innocent joke, which came into
my head one day, when was in a good hu-
NOR ; we could not we'll recall it afterward.
My niece is not widow"
What is Colonel Lumley living"
''No, no, she is spinster."
The lover protested that he was a happier
fellow than he had ever conceived himself !;
and the old maid was forthwith meta morphos-
ed into young wife.