Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1875-12-01
Trap to Catch a Husband.

Sunset i'm the tropics. Sunset on the
outskirts of a Louisiana forest-stately,
solemn What a chaos of noble color,
what an Eden of Blossom and of Odor,
what royal prodigality of untrammeled
life. The spot where party of tourists
had encamped themselves for the night
was at the height of some three or four
hundred feet above the level of the sea
and glowing sweep of lowland coun-
trv-yellow maize fields, orchards, VIII
lagos, and gardens stretched away
league beyond league before them.
The party which made up this en-
campment consisted of four men =
Northerners on a tour of pleasure and
observation. Three were gentlemen of
wealth; but the fourth-Jerrold Gray
was dependent nephew of one of the
rich trio. His uncle had educated him,
and now, at the end of his collegiate
course, had taken him on this tour. At
its conclusion Jerrold was to choose
profession, and commence esingle-handed
the battle of life. His uncle had num-
Der of children, so that Jerrold could
not reasonably expect to inherit any
thing, and his independence prompted
him to decline further pecuniary aid.
Leaving his companions cooking the
supper, i'm true camp fashion, Jerrold
strolled off TO view the panorama that
was stretched beneath the surrounding
hill. As he stood istlessly leaning
against a tree, he broke out into
chance song. He was really fine
singer, possessed OF a highly-cul:ivated
voice, and sang with all the abandon OF
presumed solitude
He did not see the bright, black eyes
that were watching him, nor the dainty
ears that were listening, both OF which
belonged TO one of the wealthiest heir
esses i'm Louisiana. She sat on splen-
did horse, and made a picture that, had
Jerrold seen it, would have eclipsed the
opposite landscape upon which he was
gazing. She waited there, fascinated,
and trusting to the shelter OF the trees
until he turned and retraced his steps.
But suddenly, in the very height OF
his song, his glance fell on her, leaning
gracefully forward upon the saddle, ana
regarding him with a face of mingled
wonder and admiration that was SO IN
tense as to be comical, the tall pushes
and branches half yelling her. Never
could he forget the picture. His voice
abruptly ceased: and the next instant
he burst into a ringing laugh that was
so ioyous, hearty, and irrepressible that
il proved infectious, and catching by in
stinct the humor of the moment, she
laughed very heartily. Then, as if
frightened by such familiarity with a
stranger, she suddenly became serious.
81 beg your pardon, sir, for listening" F"
she said: .'but it is so seldom we meet a
human being up here on the hills, that
you tempted me To listen.
Never had Jerrold looked upon a
countenance that so fascinated him. The
girls dark hair, and a face on which
there always lived a bloom, but To which
there never mounted a decided color,
appeared the very embodiment of health
and vitality. But it was the wonder
full mobility of the features that consti-
tuted their greatest charm; their eX-
pressions were as shifting and various
as the atmosphere upon an April morn
ing. Every mood and passion they re-
fiected changed them into another face ;
now they were those of laughing Hebe,
now those of simple child.
Before Jerrold could reply to the
Young lady, gentleman on horseback
rode up.
$50. Bertha" he said to her, "you
ran away from me- And then, seeing
Jerrold Gray, he bowed politely, and
added. SIT isn't often these wild hills
are visited by strangers"
brief conversation ensued, ending
in A visit to the temporary camp. The
gentleman introduced himself as Mr..
Fenshaw. a planter of the neighbor-
hood. and the girl as Bertha Fenshaw,
his niece
"Do You intend to remain here to-
night ?'' he asked, as he prepared to go.
aYes," was the reply; ''we are very
lazily seeking pleasure, and we encamp
wherever fancy dictates"
.sThen | shall insist upon receiving
Won at nv house. You see il yonder,
he said, pointing to a plantation resi-
dence dimly visible in the distant plain
land until then, good day"
Bertha added her invitation, and
uncle and niece were soon riding out ol
sight
knowing by experience The hospitality
of Louisianian planters of the higher
class and certain that the invitation
was intended fer actual acceptance, th'
tourists decided upon its acceptance Oh
the morrow
On that same morrow, towards after
noon Bertha Fenshaw sat in her room
thinking of Jerrold Gray She hat
dreamed of him during the night, anC
she was wondering why. 1t was no
because of dearth of young mel
among the circle of her acquaintances
And all the region knew the prett!
beiress. She was acquainted with al
the old men and women in the country
and their numerous complaints. Sh'
was god-mother to half the babies. Th'
voung planters of all the adIoinln:
counfies were in love with her, an'
proposed TO her at regular intervals. Bu
Bertha was romantic. She was verl
happy as she was, and if she did MARI,
he must be more of hero, To win her
than any she had seen.
Had Jerrold Gray seen the prett.
beiress. and known that he was TN
subject of her thoughts, he might nav
been more flattered, but scarcely NOR
i'm love than he really was. Her room
was arranged with all the simple tast
of a well-bred girl. Her hanging book
shelves were well-filled with their roV
of poets. their row of useful works
The neat little writing table, with IL
gilt inkstand, and its pretty, costly nick
1acks, stood in the window; and apoV
il hung the cage of her pet canary
There was piano too, and wel-nile'
music stand.
Upon all the room was the impres