Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1881-03-17

pretty tuillBS yOu say w
katy" said Fanny, solemnly, ''you
must not talk any more about the matter.
| confess it is very hard to disappoint
you all to distress him, but it must be
DONE"
Now, if there was anything that Kate
particularly disliked it was to see tears
shed by anybody for any reason; there
fore, as she began to suspect that Fanny
meditated some such act she lost no time
in retreating,
When Fanny came down to tea she was
assaulted by u host OF questions, congratu-
lations, and kisses from papa, mamma,
her four sisters and three brothers.
elbow Dye do, Mrs. Somerbyt" asked
one.
"Now for the wedding cake" shouted
Tom.
you'll let me he bridesmaid won't
you a' urged Ann.
Sand if Mr.. 5. gives You a gold watch,
won't you give me your old one ~ asked
Matilda.
After tea no one seemed inclined TO set
about any regular employment. Papa
held his newspaper before his eyes, as
usual; but it was at last discovered by
Kate that it had been upside down for an
hour. Mammals knitting work lay
quietly in her lap, while her thoughts
wandered of to u certain fine house i'll
the country, where several fine children
ran about, bearing a decided resemblance
to her daughter Fanny. Matilda, Ann
and Lucy, withdrawn i'll snug corner,
debated the questions whether he We're
handsome or otherwise; if he had dark
hair or light If he had not several broth
ers, etc.
,tI tul Vic it..I
| them before, came this night to the mem
| beers of the Harper family. tall, melon
choly man, with black coat, disturbed the
SAUNDERS of the gentle Fanny; mamma
| talked in her sleep of ''iine establishment |
Just the thing for Fan; don't you think |
so pa," And Mr.. II. answered without |
| waking; Eyes, my dear; he'll put his |
name on my notes, dare say Pretty |
little young men, brothers of Mr. .Somerby, |
fitted around the apartments of Lucy and
| of Ann, while visions of plum cake |
danced temptingly before the eyes of Tom
and Sam.
Poor Fanny was in sad perplexity. Her
mamma had expressed it as her opinion
that the match was desirable one; She
had even limited that her daughter might
never have ''another chance" and that
for her part, She could depart in peace
should She see her family comfortably
settled for life,
Anu fahiiy hiiiai ahee'ioi, eohqueie'
all her scruples, and she resolved to see,
to accept Mr.. Somerby,
Yes she said to herself, as she again
, dwelt upon the tenderness Of the precious
letters, ''the saciice must be made.
, must crafty my dear mother, even though
It be at the expense OF my own happiness.
VIII De Mrs. somefuy.
Fanny looked out upon the quiet SKY,
the moon ana stars ana thought now
nne tale could be made from this-a
daughter saerlhclhg herself ior her
4 mother
was time To write hef answer 10 the
!, letter; pul now shoulu he peslhI Must
II 1t be with ,Mr. Somefpy, slrf lhat was
too formal. w lth MY dear slff lhat WAS
too anectiohate. Anu when this matter
y had been settled ana The letter larry
d written, the equally important question
remained how she should subscribe her
II self was she to be " ours respectfully,
l. or truly, or sincerely or affection
L ately a dllhcult probiem But AL
lie things have an end, and the letter was
NJ sent. Then 1t was that Fanny heart
began to quake What II Mr. ,. should
ut note was too cold, maybe too hot, ht
er might not expect an answer 50 soon and
81 would be shocked At her haste. But all
he these heart-quakinss were III vain
IL letter was gone.
as 10 pass away the time, which nov
r hung heavily upon her hands, Fam,
or called to tell Julia the whole story. The
II. kind friend Was III raptures. Just tin
u. man for you, my dear, she cried. So
d. he says he has met you iii your walk
e : and at church. Well, can imagine how
ly he looks; he's the very image OF my nus
band. I've no doubt.
'tr Fanny next called upon the secon'
nj directress OF the Anti Matrimonial Society
an young lady ol AN uncertain age, and iii
nd formed her that for private reasons sh
fn- must resign her own Office, begging he
ers friend to make this resolution known
zen to the society at their next meeting
IL Meanwhile the four sisters ran to tell til
'as news. Each had her own particnlh
at, friend who must not be forgotten, and i
lr the course of two days it was known
ITO all Fanny's acquaintance that the fai
damsel had been wood and won. Til
third day passed, and there had come II
ow letter from the impatient lover. Fam
|, resolved not to sleep a wink that nigh
II must he in love- In the midst Of h
led despair She fell asleep.
The next morning, little note, scale
ny, with Forgive and Forget was brougl
from the office. Fanny ran to her ow
Who room to read it at her ease, pressing it
. her lips all the way upstairs. Beho
she the note opened;
orp DEAR FANNY -("Why, how bold
line thought she)-'We have been amusil
ourselves at your EXPENSE by writing Y,
ow- a letter signed Thomas Somerby.
,ain are afraid that We have carried the IN;
ling ter too far, and must now beg you
nile think OF this imaginary person no long.
Now, don't be angry, Fanny dear, for
ease are both quite sorry, and are ready
hunt up for you a real Mr.. s.. who W
who write better letters than the pretend
the one. Affertionately, JULIA AND GEORGE
las Fanny sat like one petritied. At |;
she slowly rose, looked into the glass
re- know il she We're pale, tried to fa
away. and called her mamma, NJ
the Harper Indignation knew no bounds.