The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1884-07-10
MRS. CHANDELIERS LITTLE PLOT.
From the Home Circle.

Robert Baldwin had attained the age
of thirty. five without falling vic
tim to the wiles of the opposite sex
In plain English, he was still bachel-
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 a
good income from his business and could
afford to support wife in excellent
stvle. It was for neither of these rea-
sons, therefore, that he thus led single
life.
The secret of it was, that he was in
ordinately bashful. The presence of
one of the opposite sex threw him into
tremor, and quite bound up his fac
ulties, so that he was unable to act him
self, or converse, except in monosyl-
tables. 1t certainly did seem rather
ridiculous in a 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
contamination, so devoutly to be wished,
but all had been frustrated by the in
superable diifidence of her brother.
It 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, a new scheme oc-
Cured to his sister.
It 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, I had some conversation with
you on the subject of my brother, and 1
intimated the wish that he might take
q fancy to you, as, I assure you, I know
of no one whom should be more glad
to welcome as my sister-in-law. 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 wife
with every comfort, not to say luxury.
I feel sure you would like him, and I
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, and produce an i'm
preston.
ssBut I won't deny there are difficult
ties in the way. My brother is strange
ly, ridiculously 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 in the face for week, unless you
fall in with my plans, and follow my
directions. They are briefly these. We
must oppose bashfulness by bashfulness.
He is bashful-you must be more so.
If he is agitated by the sight of woman,
you must be even more timid at the
sight of man. Your apparent diffiden ce
will embolden him, and for the first
time 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? Will
you join me in my little plot? If 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.
I 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?"
eyes; think so," he said, with hest
tation.
''She is very charming young lady"
els she, indeed?"
81 have invited her to come and
spend month with me-"
"When?" asked her brother, nerv-
ously.
II expect her by the middle of next
week.
III think will go to the hotel and
board, while she is here"
"Why should your"
II might be in the way"
Nonsense! I count upon you to help
entertain her."
II couldn't think of it. I-you know
how am affected in the presence of
ladies"
Eyes, know you are diffident, but
then it will be different with her."
"Why should it be 2" asked Robert, in
some curiosity.
Because Julia il more bashful than
you are"
s'More bashful than TT rep0ated her
brother with interest. You don't
mean that?"