Daily Yellowstone journal., 1891-02-10

or back down and still pursue the even
tenor of my u~neventful life, and / hard
L. know which is the best course-but
IN my heart of hearts l have vowed
never TO wed except for pure and un-
adulterated love. 1t is well enough TO
talk Of money, yet / could not bear the
idea Of being chained in matrimonial
letters 10 a woman l did not love, If
she had all the gold of Ophir."
His former resolution had reasserted
itself. and he wrote a letter to his un-
seen admirer in the following strain;
Miss Jemima Zachary:
MY DEAR MADEMoIsELLE-Your
letter was duly received, and after ma
ture elaboration l indite the following
facts and conclusions:
Ny surprise knew nc bounds Wen
l read the presentment of your case,
which honesty compels me to confess |
greatly admire. l am not one of those
fogy mossbacks who object TO women
popping the question" In fact they
have as much, and often more, at stake
than men in the matrimonial venture,
and l think they have an equal right
with men to go counting by word Of
mouth or otherwise, and for this
trait Of character which you possess
sincerely hope you will soon have a
true. good husband, whose love foS
your own precious personality out
weighs all the golden ducats TO your
.-oIff ~ Fha hanEo ~ w-lur it,
My conversation with your friend
here has evidently been misconstrued.
I acknowledge making the request and
assertions 10 which you allude, and can
only plead, in extenuation of my crime.
that they were only frivolous and n
meaning in every respect.
No one believes in real. genuine.
soul mastering love more firmly than |.
and without the purest and most pro
found love | viii never contract a con
iugal alliance. Money is very highly
necessary. but real heart sympathy is
mor needful 10 apeaceful voyage owe
the blissful river 20 the tranquil harbor
of welded life.
There is, however, one insurmount-
able obstacle over which fate cannot
go, and a gulf is fixed that cannot be
crossed, which is most necessary to a
successful consummation Of the joyous
union for which your letter was intended
as an initiatOry step. am not a beggar.
yet have nothing but my hands and a
reasonable allowance of health and nat
ural ability to ply the a~vocations | as
pire 70 master. and as you are rich il
would be unfair 20 contract an alliance
of such momentOus Importance 10 your
self, for there are men your equal in
the commercial world who are ready
and anxious to take you to their EN-
brace, although l have serious doubts
if any nan outside his monetary value
can in the most meager sense compare
10 your genuine worth.
Had fate thrown our lives in closer
proximity, 70 that you had learned my
faults and f~railties to the fullest degree,
and if after such personal knowledge, a
love, pure and captivating, had sprung
up between US, the circumstances would
be different, and my answer in all prob
ability could be such as you wish. I
have no fears concerning you and your
standing. but your friend possibly has
had no means of obtaining all the facts
concerning myself, and has, perhaps,
unwittingly paid toogreat a compliment
to me.
At present l could not think Of en-
tering upon the grave duties of married
life, and until / meet with n / love
sincerely, occupying a common plane,
/ must be content with single life.
IL would afford me pleasure 10
know you personally, and could / rem
der your life more happy by any sacri-
fee, l would do 50 joyfully, but cannot
presume 10 ask you here with such a
sentimental mission in view. ! am
sorry / made such a request of your
friend. but did soin jest, and thought
her promise a Jest also.
/ return your letter and documents
in kindness, and hope some true speci
men Of Gods noblest creation may be
lured 70 your side, gather your pure
affections closely 70 his manly breast,
nestle round about your life his truest
love, and that joys untold, bliss un-
bounded and pleasures of endless dura-
ton may crown your future days. /
remain, very respectfully,
WILLIS HERDYsON.
well Mr.. Herdyson," said Ole,
when they had returned from a stroll
one Sunday evening, how are you
and Miss Zachary getting along with
your courtshipi You remember hat
you asked me to 'trOt out a woman Of
wealth, and / have done so"
quite well, / presume. / am well
pleased with present prospects,
Present prospects," exclaimed the
aunt. what a deeeiver you are, l de
clarel You fatty refused the offer,
pleading poverty and other fiimsy ex
cusas and even tried In feed me ON