Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1882-06-08
A RICH GIRL.
CHAPTER 1.

IclHdIhdDl6 p6I5Oll; III Wn5oG I4Ie COOh
place q very curious incident. The
person was Tom bearing, about TWEEN
ty-six, slender, of medium hight, ex-
ceedingiy graceful, profuse in expedi-
ture on dress-a weakness which an
ample estate enabled him to crafty.
His hair was blonde, his eyes blue, and
q delicate mustache as soft as silk
shaded smiling lips. Tom was fop
to the echo, did nothing in the world,
passed his time in the society of ladies,
and was apparently good for nothing.
Envious people looked sidewise at him,
despising heartily this butterfy-but
they did not understand him and per-
haps valued themselves too highly.
Tom bearing was a fop, but he was
the kindest-hearted of mOrtals-a man
of very elegant culture in spite of his
apparent frivolity, q graceful writer,
not SO bad poet, musician and with
out single low taste. It is a good
deal to say Of young bachelor, with
plenty Of money. This one preferred
to pass his evenings flirting fans in the
society of ladies to muddling himself
with brandy and water in less reputable
places.
One morning Tom bearing came
into my Office, where | was studying
law record. He was clad in all the
colOrs Of the rainboW-a style of dress
which he alone seemed to possess the
secret of wearing without shocking
good taste.
II think | will marry" he said, light
ing cigarette.
"Well, why not? You are thoroughly
useless as you are"
"Do you really think so, my dear
fellow?" ne replied, with his delicious
drawl and smile "but you are right
perhaps"
Certainly l am. What are you
good for? You dawdle all the morn
ing, drive out, go to parties, play with
fans, dance a little and end with a
cigar There is your day."
Tom bearing smoked his cigarette,
serenely rejecting.
You are right, my boy" he said at
length. "King Solomon himself could
not exceed you in wisdom. | will re-
form, and l am not aware of any better
programme than matrimony."
"Wel, marry"
"There is the doubt as to what it will
I'll come to-"
"Then don't marry"
'"There is the certainty that it will
come to nothing. Decidedly [ must
marry, and, as you are an old comrade,
I'll define the situation. I have two
dear creatures in my eye-would you
like to hear about them ?"
eyes, if you are in earnest. If you
are merely talking to pass the time, |
have this record to study. If you are
serious, | will listen"
~ am deeply, profoundly in earnest,
my boy. | know what sacrifice to
friendship you make by neglecting that
attractive document. But true friend
ship demands sacrifices. | want sug
gestiOns."
estate the case"
81 will do So"
And my friend bearing with great
Candor and simplicity laid everything
before me. He was on the most init
mate terms with Mis- Edith -, the
daughter of gentleman of large prop
erty; and Miss Emma -, the daugh-
Ter of lady in reduced circumstances.
Both were beautiful girls, we'll known
in the friendly society of the city; and
it appeared from my friends account
that his relations with them were equal
ly confidential.
~ believe | am rs fond of either of
these two young angels as of the other"
said Tom bearing, mildly. "To which
would you advise me to propose, my
friend ?"
80 the rich one, if you like her as
well as the other. Other things equal,
money is always b consideration"
But the poor damsel is so pretty"
Then propose to her"
"But the rich one is just as attract
i've"
"Then propose to her"
bearing reflected, and said at last:
"Well, I'll go this evening and open
the campaign-call on both, and come
to q stern resolve"
DO so, and tell nae the result"
At eleven that night bearing came
into my bachelor lodging, and stretch
ed himself in an armchair. His cos
tune resembled the rainbow, and he
smiled vaguely.
"Well?" / said.
"She is charmingp he exclaimed.
"Which?'
Miss Edith, of the money-bags; so
i3 Miss Emma, without them"
80 you have been to call on both"
eyes"
tThe result? ?"
ga worse bewilderment on the sub
ject of my own sentiments than be-
fore, my friend. When [ see one, |
forget the other, and when | reflect
upon the other forget the one present.
| am in state of mental paralysis.
Decidedly I'll propose to Edith No.
I'll certainly try for Emma That is
to say"
"You have lost your head-if you
ever had any. Act with energy, Tom
bearing, or you'll prove a failure. The
way to do thing is to do it-not to
resolve that you will think of it some
of these days. Describe your friends
you know l am not acquainted with
either"
Il viii do SO with pleasure. Edith
eighteen, brown hair, doves eyes, with
a charming reserve of manner, and
distractiDg glance"
''She is the rich one, | think.
would propose to her at once"
"But Emma She is twenty-three,
rosy, RANT and firty. You Eever saw
such eyes-they are positively ravish-
ing"
VERY well; go and propose to the