Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-01-11
How Godfrey Horton Chose His Wife.
BY NJ. E. CLARKE.

ton, as he tilted back his chair, and pu
his feet upon the mantlepiece, when
the wedding to be ?"
ssWhose wedding ?'' ''.
"Miss Laura Somers, or Jenny, whicl
is it ?" aatl a.s5 ssaslisils7 elisie
II do not know, I am sure"
t'sNow don't be mysterious, Godfrey
you know you are most constant visi
tor, and all TOUR set are talking abou
the match. Don'tpretend you have no
selected one of the sisters"
"How do you know either of then
| will have me-" 'a .siia 2 if3t4s'
"Don't be absurd, old boy. You
young, handsome, talented, and with {
large fortune, need be over bashful
Come, be frank-which is the favoritt
sister?" siiee3 -5t A If sIetsi. aAs
"Well, frankly then, Henry. I caqnoi
tell you. I have visited the family fol
fseveral months, as you know, but l can
not decide. Laura is certainly the hand
soonest, with her flashing black eyes and
queenly manner; but Jenny seems. al
though the youngest, to be the most
I cannot be sure of that My entrance
is the signal for cordial welcome and
smiles; and, let me enter at what hour
I.will, they are always well dressed, and
apparently disengaged. To be sure ]
always, in the morning, have to wait
some time before Lura is visible"
| "Pop in unexpectedly, and notice the
internal economy" ss.,f ts aG =
| "How can L? A card at the door will
put any lady on her guard, or even the
notice of q gentleman visitor" 7ie'3
$50 there in disguise-as washer
woman, for instance" tees r.
"Good I will"
"Will you 60 there as washerwo-
man ?" cried Clayton. AiiieieN} et'el-
mot exactly; but will obtain ad-
mittance to a.morning's privacy"
"Well, let me know the result"
Laura and Jenny Somers were the
only children Of a widower; who, al
though in moderate circumstances,
moved in very fashionable society. At
the period of my short sketch, he was
about to supply the lamented Mrs. Som
ers' place, after nearly ten years. mourn
ing, and, although kind, indulgent
parent, had no objection to his daugh-
ters' marriage, and, indeed. had told
them so.-Laura, whose high spirit re-
sented the probable supremacy of a step
mother, had already selected Godfrey
| Horton as her future husband; and Jen-
| n.y. WIZ Wo0 yOuhSOA anu SChOlC1 Ill
spirit, tried to conquer carefully con-
cealed preference for the same purpose.
All his attentions were ascribed, by her,
| to brotberly regard, though every act
of kindness or courtesy touched her very
heart. -lJ t'a } azAs
| 1t was the morning after large ball,
and thesisters were in the break fast room
together. Laura, cher GLOSSY black hair
pushed, negligently off her face, with
the eroughtumble braids of last evenings
elaborate coiffure gathered loosely into
a comb, wearing soiled wrapper, torn
stockings, and presenting rather an
alarming contrast to the brilliant ball
room belle, was lounging on a sofa.
Jenny, in a neat morning dress, with
large gingham apron, little white collar,
and hair smoothly brushed into neat
knot, was washing the breakfast dishes.
''The-e is an old man at the door with
some artificial flow ers, ~ said the SER
want, opening the dining room door !;
| Twill you see him?"
'No,"aa said Jenny.
| "Yes," cried Laura ''send him up"
| In few moments the old man came
in. He was poorly clad, with coarse
blue cloak, which was much too large
for him. His hair was white, and he
wore beard and moustache of the same
snow hue. Making low bow. he plac
ed the large basket he carried on a table
and opened it.
| 81 have bunch of blue flowers here, I"
he said, taking them from the basket,
'that will just suit your golden hair.
Miss" and he held them before Jenny.
'It is my sister who wished to look at
your flowers" said Jenny, quietly.
"Yes, bring them here,n was Laura's
imperious command.
The old mans eyes followed Jenny, as
she washed, wiped, and put away the
dishes, swept the room, and busted it.
and then sat down beside Laura, who
was still looking over the basket.
See. Jenny, this scarlet bunch. Will
it not be lovely with few dark leaves
to wear with my new silk?"
But" whispered Jenny, ''you can't
afford it just now" A sts
'Yes, I can. Father gave me some
money yesterday"
''To pay the last dry goods bill," said
Jenny.
"Well, can have that carried to my
private account"
1 "Oh, Laura! I hate to hear you talk
of that private account. 1t seems so
much like cheating father"
Nonsense! It will stand till I am
married, and then I can easily save it
out of nay house keeping money"
1 II should not wish to marry in debt"
said Jenny.
| The old peddler looked earn estly at the
sisters. if
'You had better take this blue bunch
Miss" he said TO Jenny. "If it ain'i
convenient to pay for it now, will call
again"
mo, shall not take them.n
"They are very becoming, Miss. Look
in this glass;" s
They were becoming, mixing with
the glossy, golden hair, and setting of
Jenny's dazzling complexion.
II wish my hair was light" said Lau
RAJ should like to wear blue. God
frey Horton said, last night, that forget
me-nots were his favorite flowers"
Jenny colored, and placing the bunch
again in the basket, said:
Come, Laura, decide. You are keep
ing one waiting whose time, probably
is valuable" Then, passing a chair
she added: "Be seated, sir, you lool
tired"
II am tired, indeed,n was the reply
II will take the scarlet bunch, ali(
these red camelias, and this white clus'
ter" said Laura. H
"But. sister, you cannot afford it,"
Eyes. | can, Godfrey Horton is rich ,
The old man bit his lip.
"Think," said Jenny, in low tone
''if you love him, how much it will
grieve him if he should discover thi
deceit y
Nonsense! Well, I'll tell you how tt
remedy it. Lend me some money ou
of the house keeping funds"
"So," thought the old man, "she il
house-keeper. Miss Laura always CAV,
me to understand that that was he
post" ...,,si ~
Laura! Steal from father"
''Then don't preach"
"Miss Jenny" said servant, enter
ing at that moment, 1.-THE dinner ha
, Gomez
Jenny left the room, and Laura still
turned over the gay flowers, while th
old man pointed out their various beau
ties, his eye, in the meantime, runnin
: over the disordered hair, shaby dress
and lazy position, whilst he mental
contrasted them with Jenny's neat at
tire.
| stNTot d,o;loJ x,4 OF