New Ulm weekly review., 1886-12-15
SEPTIMUS' FIANCEE.

1t was exceedingly hot in the little
parlor Of the country inn where Ed
mund Fenwick lay tossing on the
horsehair sofa, inadequately support
ed by pillows-the very picture Of
WEAKNESS and misery.
He had come down on fishing ex-
pedition with a few select companions,
and, as ill-luck would have it, he had
met with an accident in jumping out
OF the dog-cart, and had broken his
leg the second day after his arrival
'Just come from the station sir.
Eighteen pence to pay, and sixpence
for the boy"
It was the current number of the
Brickbury Chronicle.
y X x x
Septimus Potter was a clerk in a
large house OF business in the city.
The exact nature of the business
transactions of the firm by which he
was employed it would be hard to de-
scribe, but principally it had to do
with hides and tallow. sepimus was,
consequently, engaged in avocations
OF a commercial character which bore
directly on the subject, So far, he was
in the same position as scores ofyoung
men in the city, but; in one particular,
he differed from his companions-he
was thoroughly ashamed OF his work
Indeed, he has kept hide and tallow a
profound secret for a considerable
length OF time; and even his most in
innate friends, the Winlles-who lived
at Brickbury, in the same street as
himself-even Emily Windle, whom he
admired, and who was unfavorably
disposed to his advances, had never
had an inkling to the truth till it
came out one day by accident. Then
Sam Windle had very naturally made
a few jokes at the ex pense of his friend,
and these jokes, as often happens,
had not b cen appreciated The fact
was that Septimus, who was
only gifted with very ordinary
capacities, firmly believed that
his vocation was art, and that he
was a misappreciated genius, He had
been given a fair start in life by a
batchelor uncle; the firm treated him
we'll; he had a rising salary, and was
considered by his friends to be q most
fortunate young man Nevertheless
he was not satisfied.
X X X
Septimus lounged into reading
room to which he subscribed. It was
a dingy, shabby place, with torn car
pet and a dusty velvet sofa. More
than once he thonght OF Emily's tear
tul gaze-of the cosy drawing
and the happy evenings he had
spent there drinking tea out OF
gold-and-white cups, ornamented
with butterfly handles, which he had
himself presented to Mr.. and Mrs.
w VAAAo10 VI CdO C"olloy -1lC1l ctllu1VSI-
sary OF their wedding day. No, he
would stay where he was, and show
his spirit as man ofcharacter. So
he sat down to table with a deter
mined air and dragged a paper to-
ward him. It was the Brickbury
Chronicle. A corner of this select
publication was devoted to advertise
ments, and as Septiuus looked down
the column, pathetic appeal met
his eye: can elderly widower, no
longer handsome. engaged in the ham
and sausage business, desires to cor
respond with a young and beautiful
lady-possessing FL, 5D0-who would
meet him at the hyn1enea! altar.
Septimus had no originality, but
who quicker to seize an idea when it
was once put before him in black and
white? He read and at the same
moment resolved that he also would
confde an advertisement to the
columns OF this excellent journal.
Should an elderly-a plain pork
butcher met with success and he not?
Farther down the list he saw touch
ing appeals from loving ladies who
wished to meet with eligible husbands.
Had he ever been disdainful toward
the fair sex? All, well, Emily
pshaw! She was simple girl
who could not appreciate his high
er aspirations. we'll enough, doubt
less. but too uneultivated for him. He
had already paved the way; he would
break off that unfortunate affair on
the spot and hope for a better future.
He sat up until 2 clock that morn
ing writing and rewriting his advertise
ment; tearing up sheet upon sheet Of
rose-colored paper in his endeavors
after perfection. Atfast he was salts
fed, and the masterpiece read:
"a young gentleman, whose morning
hours are devoted to the pursuit OF
commerce" he got out OF the hide
and difficulty wishes to correspond
with a maiden OF great personal at
fractions, his own being not to be de-
spised, with a view to naatrimony.
His prospects are good; he stands five |
feet eight in his boots; his eyes are
blue and his hair auburn. His great |
desire is to meet with a. mariner who |