The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1891-03-18

making toys and playth1ngs OF them, to |
be cast aside as such whenever any new
whim or fancy seizes you"
81 can appreciate your idea, Leslie"
said his friend, laughing, "though have
never been one of fortunes favorites, like
yourself, to be bored by the actual ex-
perience from which you have too palp-
ably suffered. think, Leslie, if you
were to get out Of this artificial atmos-
phere into some quiet nook in tho coun-
try, and get acquainted with some good,
honest, truthful girl, who has been
brought up to be unselfish and TO culti-
vate conscience, and who, having no
knowledge Of your wealth, would marry
you for love, think that life might be
rendered tolerably endurable to you. 1t
would to me, were ] in your situation,
with ample means to crafty every reason
able desire"
By Jove, Percy, if I could find such a
one as you describe, l would marry off
handw exclaimed Leslie, with an en-
thusiasm which was new to him in his
indolent indifference.
"What2 If she were poorl" queried
his friend, picking up the hat that Leslie
had that afternoon purchased.
eyes" he replied, ''if she had but
one dress to her backl"
''The friend smiled incredulously, and
casually glanced at the inside of the hat.
"What is this2' he exclaimed, sudden
ly, holding it up, so that Leslie might
see. "Frances Wilbur, spinster"
"Probably romantic method of ad
vertising the makers name" responded
Leslie, without manifesting any particu
lar surprise. "The playful freak of some
young miss in her teens. I've half a
mind to open a correspondence with her
it would be something tresh-wholly
out of the beaten path"
"Supposing she should turn out some
ancient maiden lady9" suggested his
friend.
"No; it is the work of some restless,
tantalizing young ladyl" Leslie persisted,
and the subject was dropped. He re-
Cured to it again, however, after the de-
parture of his friend. He studied the
chirography carefully, grew more and
more interested, and finally, after some
little reflection, and feeling the want Of
a new excitement, to break what he con-
sidered the dull monotony of his exist
ence, through his life had been one con-
tinual whirl of excitement since he had
come into the unrestrained control of a
fortune, he determined to write to her.
He had no other purpose in writing but
to beguile the tedium of an idle hour,
and quiz this unknown Frances Wilbur,
spinster.
The subjoined letter, which reached
Epping on the following evening, was
the legitimate result of this resolve:
"NEw York, June 20, 1880.
''MIss FRANCIS WILBUR, spinster II dis
covered your address on the lining of a hat
recently purchased, and have conceived n
romantic desire to open a correspondence
with you in view of nearer and more salts
factory acquaintance. My object in doing
this is strictly honorable and commendable,
and if you grant my request, shall always
treat you with the respect that is due lady
from a gentleman. am twenty-five years
of age and generally esteemed gocd-looking.
II am in moderate circumstances, but like
all other young men, am hopeful of the fu-
ture II you should deign to answer this
letter. and would be kind and condescendng
enough to exchange photographs with me- 1
will cheerfuly inclose mine IN my next
Very respectfully and interestedly yours,
"WALTER LESLIE"
| Fannie Wilbur received this epistle,
and perused it with an electrical thrill of
1 pleasure. She hurried to Miss Drew,
whom she accepted as her sole conf
dante, read it to her privately and asked
her advice as to what reply she should
make.
"Answer it, of course, and enclose
your picture, said Miss Drew, decidedly.
''You take splendidlY. He will fall in
love with it, l am sure. You are IN luck,
Fan, and almost envy you"-which
was the truth-'for you can tell by the
writing that he must be scholar and a
gentleman.
This advice was exactly what Fannie
wish and expected. She had no picture
of herself that exactly suited her, so she
went to Mr.. Badger next morning and
asked leave of absence to have one taken.
She arranged her toilet for the occasion
with exquisite care and taste, and hur
ried to the village artist to have her
]
as she was, she had never looked more
beautiful than on that day. The artist
was successful beyond his most sanguine
hopes, and in about a week he turned
out a photograph that he felt proud
of, and that Fanny felt not ashamed to
forward to her gallant New York cor
respondent.
l,urt, opI fpAitoA tho f,liDvr
ing letter, which Leslie received by re-
turn post;
''EPPING, June 80, 1880.
"MR LEsLIE-Dear Sir;--I received your
very acceptable and geutlemanly letter about
a week ago. When l wrote my name on the
lining of the hat you allude to had no ex-
pectation that it would be the means Of pro-
curing me so agreeable correspondent.
II was pleased with the tone OF your let
| ter, and shonld be happy to hear from you
very often. l send you my photograph,
| agreeable to your request, though some Of
my friends tell me it does not do me justice.
| l think, however, it is very fair picture.
shall expect yours at your earliest con-
! Venience
II win mention, in conclusion, that am
an only child. My father is dead, but my
mother is still living. My father was d
| clergyman, and was settled in this village
prior TO my birth, which was eighteen years
ago the fourteenth day of Mey last. Ihaye
/ a good education, for IL was my fathers
! especial province to see to that while living,
and he has been dead only trihe over three
| years.
"Our circumstances are humble, and now
work in hat factory for the joint support
Of mother and self Hoping TO hear from
your again soon, l remain your interested
| correspondent, FANNIE WILBUR
"Noble grill" exclaimed our hero, as
! IL. Ert.Lnl tEn ...r.t..l af thia lnLLnl.