The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-02-21
CHOOSING A WIFE.


godfrey. old boy" said Henry Clayton,
az he tilted back his chair, and put his feet
upon the mantle piece, "when is the we'd
ding to BET"
"Whose weddingf"
"Miss Laura Somers, or Jennie, which is
lit"
81 do not know, am sure"
"Now don't be mysterious, Godfrey;
you know you are q most constant visitor,
and all 'our set are talking about the
match. Don't pretend you have not select
ed one of the sisters"
Show do you know that either of them
will have met"
handsome. talented, and with large foR
tune need not be over bashful. Come, be
frank which is the favorite sister2"
"Well, frankly, then, Harry, I can not
tell you. / have visited the family for sew
eral months, az you know, but / can not
decide. Laura is certainly the handsomer
with her flashing black eyes and queenly
manner; but Jennie SCENE, although the
Younger, to be the more womsnly and
useful of the two. Yet can not be sure
of that. Ny entrance is the signal for q
cordial welcome and smiles, and, let me
enter at what hour will, they are always
well dressed and apparently disengsged.
To be sure, always In the morning have
TO wait before Laura is visible
"Pop in Unexpectedly and notice the in
ternal economy"
"How can II A card at the door will
put any lady on her guard, or even the
notice of q gentleman visitor"
go there in disguise-as washer
woman, for instance"
'Goodl / will"
"Will you go there as q wssherwoman7"
cried Clayton.
"Not exactly; but 1 will obtain admit
lance to q mornings privacy"
"Well, let me know the result"
Laura and Jennie Somers were the only
children of widowcr, who, although in
moderate circumstances, moved in fashiona-
BILE society. At the period of my short
sketch. he WAS about to supply the lamented
Mrs. Somers' place, after nearly ten years
mourning. and although kind, indulgent
parent, had no objection to his daughters
marriage, and indeed had told them so.
Laura, whose high spirit resented the
probable supremacy of a step-mother, had
already selected Godfrey Horton as her fu-
ture husband; and Jennie, who was
younger and gentler in spirit, tried to con-
the same person. All his attentions were
ascribed by her, to q brotherly regard,
though every act of kindness or courtesy
touched her very heart.
1t was the morning after large ball.
and the sisters were in the breakfast room
together. Laurs, her glossy black hair
pushed negligently off her face, with the
rough, tumbled brnids of last evenings
elaborate couture gathered loosely into 8
comb. wearing soiled wrapper, torn stock
ings, and presenting rather an alarming
contrast to the brilliant ballroom belle,
was lounging on q sofa. Jennie, in q neat
morning dress, With a white collar, large
clean ginghsm apron, and her hair smoothly
brushed into q neat knot, was washing the
breakfast dishes.
"There is an old man at the door with
artificial flowers" said the servant, opening
the dinin groom door; Twill you see him 2'
"NO," said Jennie.
"Yes,p cried Laura. "Send him up
The servant departed TO obey the last
order.
In q few moments the old man came in.
He was poorly clad in q coarse, blue cloak,
which was much too large for him. His
hair was white, and he wore beard and
moustsche of the came snowy hue. MSk-
ing low bow, he placed a large basket on
the table, and opsned it.
ST have a bunch of flowers here" he
said, in q disguised voice, taking them from
the basket. "thst will just suit your golden
hair, Miss and he held them before Jen-
ME.
1t was my sister who wished to look at
your flowers" said Jennie quietly.
''Yes; bring them here" was Lsura's
imperious command.
The old mans eyes followed Jennie, al
she washed, wiped and put away the dish.
Is, then swept The room and busted it, and
then eat down beside Laura, who was still
looking over the basket.
'See Jennie, this scsflet bunch-will II
not be lovely with few dark leaves tc
match with my new silk7"
"But'' whispered Jennie "you can't afford
it just now7"
"Yes / can Father gave me some mon.
ey yesterday"
fTo pay the last dry goods BILL" said
Jennie.
"Well. I can have that carried to my OWL
private account"
aOh, LsursI hate to hear you talk Of
q private account. 1t seems so much like
cheating father"
Nonsenfel 1t will stand till am mar
ried, and then can easily save it out Of my
housekeeping money"
81 should not wish to marry in debt,
said Jennie.
The old pedler looked earnestly at thu
sisters.
"You had better take this blue bunch
Miss" he said to Jennie. it amt con
venient to pay for it now, l willcall again.
aNo, shall not take them"
"Tney are very becoming, Miss-leok II
che glass."