The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1886-06-03
SEPTIMUS POTTER'SFI ANCEE
From Household Words.

SEPTIMUS POTTER'S FIANCEE
From Household Words.
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-
petition with a few select companions,
and, as ill-luck would have it, he had
met with an accident jumping out OF
the dog-cart, and had broken his leg
the second day after his arrival.
Just come up from the station,
sir. Eighteenpence to pay, and six
pence for the boy"
1t was the current number of the
Brickbury Chronicle.
Septimus Potter was a clerk in a
large house of business in the city.
The exact nature OF the business trans
actions of the firm by which he was
employed it would behard to describe,
but principally it had to do with hides
and tallow. Septimus was, conse-
quently, engaged in avocations of a
commercial character which bore di-
rectly on this 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 had kept hide and tallow a
profound secret for q considerable
length OF time; and even his most in
innate friends, the Windles-who
lived at Brickbury, in the same street
as himself-even Emily Windle, whom
he admired, and who was not unfavor-
ably disposed to his advances, had
never had an inkling of the truth till
it came out one day by accident.
Then Sam Windle had very naturally
made few jokes at the expense of his
friend, and these jokes as often hap
pens, had been 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 fair start
in life by a bachelor uncle; the firm
treated him we'll; he had a rising
salary, and was considered by his
friends to be most fortunate young
man. Nevertheless, he was not salts
fed.
X \ 4 Il
Septimus lounged into reading.
room to which he subscribed. It was
a dingy, shabby place, with a torn
carpet and dusty velvet sofa. More
than once he thought of Emily's tear
full gaze-of the cosy drawing-room,
and the happy evenings he had spent
there drinking tea out of gold-and-
white cups, ornamented with butter
fly handles, which he had himself pre-
scented to Mr.. and Mrs. Wrinkle on the
twenty-ffth anniversary of their we'd
ding day. No, he would stay where
he was, and show his spirit as q man
of character. So he sat down to a
table with determined air, and drag
ged a paper toward him. It was the
Brickbury Chronicle. A corner of this
select publication was devoted to ad-
vertisements, and as Septimus looked
down the column, a pathetic appeal
met his eye: can elderly widower, no
longer handsome, engaged in the ham
and sausage business, desires to cor
respond with q young and beautiful
lady-possessing FL ,5OO-who will
meet him at the hymeneal altar"
Septimus had no originality, but
who quicker to seize an idea when it
was once read, and at the same mo.
ment resolved that he also would
confide an advertisement to the col
umns of this excellent journal. Should
an elderly-a plain pork butcher meet
with success and he not? Farther
down the list, he saw touc hing appeals
from loving ladies, who wished to
meet with eligible husbands. Had he
ever been disdainful toward the fail
sex? All, well, Emily-pshaw! She was
simple girl who could not appreciate
his higher aspirations; well enough
doubtless, but too uncultivated fol
him. He had already paved the way
he would break off that unfortunate
affair on the spot and hope for bet
ter future. He sat up until 2 O'Clock
that morning writing and rewriting
his advertisement, tearing sheet upor
sheet of rose-coled paper in his en-
deavors after perfection. At last hi
was satisfied, and the masterpiece
ready:
"A young gentleman, whose morn
ing hours are devoted to the pursuit
of commerce, so he got out of thu
hide and tallow difficulty-"wishes te
correspond with a maiden of great
personal attractions. His own beins
not to despised, with view to matri
mony. His prospects are good; h,
stands five feet eight in his boots; hi
eyes are blue and his hair auburn
His great desire is to meet with part
ner who has similar tastes, as his ar,
refined to high degree. Photos could
be exchanged and returned if not ap
proved Address: Rupert, care o
the Brickbury Chronicle"
VII Iuc cNCuuAS VI JIG AOIOWHIS Oc1C
urday two letters lay on his table
Breathless with agitation, he tore on,
of them open; it was a blotted and i'll
expressed note from young lady in 4
hairdresser's shop. He threw it in
dignantly on one side; what had h
and she in common?
The second letter was written OF
lilac paper, the envelope sealed with Z
seal bearing the impress of q cupid
The letter itself was neatly written il
q clear, firm running hand. We Cal
not do better than give it word TO-
word.
"DEAR AND GALLANT SR: I feel as
read your thrilling lines, thatI have at las
met with q kindred spirit (let me not b.
ashamed to own it), Tor which my hear
has long yearned Gladly-ah, gladly would
enter into correspondence with such
one a. Rupert, but, alasl am an orphan
maid, and the worlds riches are not. TO
me. You would spurn the poor girl VII,
must gain her humble crust by her own ex
ertions. Yet perhaps, your noble natur
might not turn from the despised com
panion. Did but know Ny dearest a.
pirations are to be elegant; to cultivat
INV mind to n hiQh pitch under yOur tuition