River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-07-10
MRS. CHANDELIERS LITTLE PLOT.
From the Home Circle.

or. This certainly did not happen
from necessity, for there was more than
one of the young ladies whom he met
in society, whenever he could be IN
duced TO go into company who would
gladly have assumed the name Of Mrs.
Baldwin. Nor again was it because he
could not afford to marry He had
good income from his business and could
afford to support wife in excellent
style. 1t was for neither Of these rea-
sons, therefore, that he thus led q single
life.
The secret of it was, that he was in
ordinately bashful. The presence of
one of the opposite sex threw him into
a tremor, and quite bound up his fac
ulties, so that be was unable to act HIM
SELF or converse, except in monosyl-
tables. 1t certainly did seem rather
ridiculous in grown man, but such,
nevertheless, was the fact.
Mr.. Baldwin made his home at the
house of his sister, Mrs. Chandler. She
had been long DESTROYS of her brothers
marriage, feeling that he would be hap
pier, if he could be induced to unite
himself with genial companion, and
had from time to time formed various
little schemes for bringing about this
consummation, so deyoutly to be wished,
but all had been frustrated by the in
superable dil1idence of her brother.
1t was not that Robert Baldwin was
opposed to marriage, in theory On
the contrary, he had once or twice been
attracted towards particular ladies, but
he had never dared to breach the all
important subject, and SO, of course,
nothing came of it. He began to feel
that he should always remain a bach
elor.
At this juncture, q new scheme oc-
Cured to his sister.
1t is said that like is cured by like,
and she resolved to oppose bashfulness
by bashfulness. The young lady whom
she fixed upon to help in her plot, was
some ten years younger than her broth
er, Julia Ross, by name. She proposed
to receive visit from her, and the fol-
lowing letter of instructions which she
wrote, will make the reader acquainted
with her scheme:
"Dear Julia When we met, last
spring, / had some conversation with
you on the subject of my brother, and |
intimated the wish that he might take
fancy to you, as, assure you, know
of no one whom / should be more clad
to welcome as my sister-inlaw. You
have not seen my brother, but can as
sure you that he is not only amiable and
good. tempered, but considered very
good looking, while his ample income
would enable him to furnish a wife
with every comfort, not to say luxury
I feel sure you would like him, and
think he would like you. want You to
come and pass month with me, during
which you will have ample time to make
his acquaintance, anG produce an inn
preston.
f.But I won't deny there are difficult
ties in the way My brother is strange
ly, ridiculousIy bashful, and the sight of
a woman agitates him, and makes him
timid and distract, so that he cannot act
himself. don't believe he would look
you ia the face for week, unless you
fall in with my plans, and follow my
directions. They are briefly these. We
must oppose bashfulness by Usefulness
He is bashful-you must be more so.
If he is agitated by the sight of a woman,
YOU must be even more timid at the
sight of man. Your apparent diffidenc e
will ambolden him, and for the first
timo in his life he will be able to act
himself in the presence of the opposite
sex. / have great hopes of what it will
lead to- Now, what do you say? VIII
you join me in my little plot? 1t so,
come next week, and we will see what
we can do.
Ever your friend,
MARIA CHANDLER"
To this letter Mrs. Chandler received
the following reply
Dear Maria Your little plot
charms me. ] am training myself to
exhibit the most shrinking diffidence.
/ hope to be perfect in my part by
Wednesday next, when you may expect
me. Ever yours,
JULIA Ross"
This letter was read with satisfaction.
Now to prepare my brother,
thought Mrs Chandler. She opened
the subject to him that very evening.
Robert. she said. you have heard
me speak of Julia Ross?"
yes; think SO, !" he said, with hest
tation.
''She is a very charming young lady"
rs She indeed?"
II have invited her to come and
spend a month with me
"When?" asked her brother, nerv-
ously.
ii expect her by the middle of next
week"
I'll think I will go to the hotel and
board. while she is here.
"Why should your
II might be in the way"
Nonsense! count upon you to help
entertain her"
II couldn't think Of it. You know
how / am affected in the presence 0f
ladies'"
Eyes, / know yon are diffident, but
then it will be different with her."
"Whv should it be ?" asked Robert, in
some curiosity.
Because Julia is more bashful than
you are.
: ''More bashful than T." repeated her
brother with interest You don't |
mean that"
eyes / do. The fact is Julil is pain
fully bashful. Really. if she knew you
were here. / can't answer for her ac-
cepting my invitation. / hope you will |
take some notice of her, and try to cure
her of some of her diffidence."
II viii do what / can, said Robert |
up.
1t was relief TO him to feel that |
there was some one more bashful than /
himself 1T made him feel quite bold. |
Then / will count upon you. BY I
the way YOU will not appear to notice /
her excessive bashfulness, but try to
make her feel at home"
Eyes, Maria, " said Robert, cheerfully
II shall really be glad tosee Miss Ross.
Indeed, he became quito anxious to have
her come, and felt quite easy and self-pos-
sesscd whenever lie thought of meeting
her. The idea of feeling bashful to one
SO difident as the young lady, seemed
ridiculous.
IT know how TO pity her." he said to