Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1881-12-10
TWO LETTERS.
PARADISE VALE, CoLo., An

PARADISE VALE, Colo, August u.
DEAR MAT-Women out here are as scarce
ms strawberries among the EsquimauX, and |
what few there are invariably are the wives
OF somebody, and hold themselves away |
above ''hring out. Everything is tOpsy |
turvy. There is nothing for it but to i'm
port. The only girl | knew East married |
another fellow, but | trust to your judg- |
ment. Rise to the occasion. Pick me out
good.natured girl. Represent to her the
delights of Western life; put me in as good
light as you can; appeal to her compass
sion; persuade her; draw oil me; get her
trousseau, buy her ticket, ship her, and
thcn-gratitude pales beside the feeling |
shall have for you. This iswritten at sort
of breakfast-the coffee is eXecrable. /
have the confidence OF desperation in your
success.
Hopefully thine,
VICTOR BEACHLY.
The recipient of this epistle pondered
long. He knew of but one who would
not presently become uncongenial in
spite of the broad margin of qualities
given. She was little mite of wom-
an, fiery and tough as whip-cord.
Hardin put on his hat and overcoat
and went out, hailed street-car, and
ten minutes after was standing in q
room sweet with flowers and bright
with sunshine. The door opened and in
swept small creature, dark with glis-
tening teeth and flashing eyes, she came
up to Hardin.
"Well; lovely morning, isn't it?"
holding out her hand.
Extremely So" There was a 81
lence.
"Have you anything on yortr mind,
MatP" looking gravely at him. "Won't
you sit DOWN."
"No, thanks.n Then in desperation
he took out Beachly's letter and flung it
down on the table before her.
"What do you think of that?" he
said, and watched her while she read.
"Well," she answered, thoughtfully,
when she had finished; "there is Maria
Maria Knabbs-do you know herr
She is very strong and good tenn
pered-"
81 was thinking of you, Miss Made
line"
"Me! of mel"
"Why not?" rather ashamed.
"Do you think we women are mere
merchandise"
"My dear young lady, you are toe
hasty. Listen. If you knew him anC
loved him would you hesitateP"
"That is distinction with an i'm
mense difference"
"No. | come and tell you of MAJ
who is in want of wife, and that he i
true-hearted and chivalrous."
"You never told me anything of tn
sort"
"And you refuse to 90 because 20,
don't happen to know himPn
She laughed at the simplicity of tn
answer.
"Pray do you think women are S
4 wild to get married that they will G
hundreds of miles after husbandP"
"They've gone a great deal furthe
and been just as happy as those VIII
stayed at home"
"You are always more or less rude
Now you can 60"
"By all means; but first let me tie
you. Now you have dependence an
semi-drudgery, there you will hay
probable happiness and certain freedom
l wait for your answer" The doc
shut and he was gone, leaving the lette
Madeline sat staring att till she heal
her sister-in-law coming, then thrust
into her pocket. Her sister-in-law W;
very curious, but her curiosity was ba
fled This made her cross, and she toe
refuge in nagging as only profession
can. Madeline was more patient thi
usual until evening; then there was
storm of the kind that does not clear &
atmosphere. Madeline went up stat
and dashed off the following:
Mr. Hardin | will be ready to ST;
West to- morrow morning by the $3.50 ira
MADELINE WEIR
The next morning Hardin found Ma
cline at the depot, as collected and co
posed as if she had been Mrs. Beacl
for twenty years. He bought her tick
checked her trunk, chose seat for h
procured guide-book, explained abe
the changes of trains, inquired after
sister-in-law, and finally after biddi
her good. by, prompted by some sudd
misgiving, came back just as the tn
was moving and lifted her hand TO
lips. The next moment she was alo
the train fairly started, and Madeline
shivered.
On, past town and country, throu
hills and across rivers. Madeline /
enough fresh vitality to enjoy the pr
emit; so it was not until the Rocky Mo
tains came fairly into view that her s.
disgust and apprehension gained
upper hand. ,,
The cars ut last slackened their SIP,
for a moment at P. Madel
sprang off. Three miners sprang
One mail bag was pulled into the
another thrown out. Madeline's tn
was tossed on the platform, and
train rushed on. Madeline sat down
her trunk desolateiy enough. A
waiting few moments and seeing