Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1891-03-20
dialogue between the two, and let the

young ladies of the period," said Leslie,
knocking the ashes off his cigar. AZ
tell you feel as though 1 had been
stepped to the very lips and surfeited
with these questionable pleasures and
follies of the day. 1t is impossible for
fellow in my situation, with plenty of
money at his command, to venture into
society at all without being besieged by
score Of maneuvering mammas, who
will fairly throw their gushing daughters
into your arms, and run the risk of your
making toys and playthings 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 l 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 the coun-
try, and get acquainted with some good,
honest, truthful girl, who has been
brought up TO be unselfish and to cult
vate conscience, and who, having no
knowledge of your wealth, would marry
you for love, l 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 could find such a
one as you describe, would marry off
hand!" exclaimed Leslie, with an en-
thusiasm which was new to him in his
indolent indifference.
"What? If she were poorG" queried
his friend, picking up the hat that Leslie
had that afternoon purchased.
"Yes," 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 thisa" he exclaimed, sudden
ly, holding it up, so that Leslie might
see. "Frances Wilbur, spinster!"
"Probably romantic method of adj
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 q
mind to open correspondence with her
it would be something tresh-wholly
out of the beaten path"
"Supposing she should turn out some
ancient maiden ladya" suggested his
friend.
"No; it is the work of some restless.
tantalizing young lady!n 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 q
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
Eppipg on the following evening, was
the legitimate result of this resolve:
"NEw York, June 90, 1880.
''MIss FRANCIS WILBUR, spinster:-I dis
covered your address on the lining of hat
l recently purchased, and have conceived a
romantic desire to open correspondence
with you in view of O nearer and more salts
factory acquaintance My object in doing
this is strictly honorable and commendable
and il you grant my request, shall always
treat YOU with the respect that is due a lady
from gentleman. | am twenty-five years
l-1lw
II am in moderate circumstances, but like
all other young men. am hopeful of the fu-
ture. If you should deign to answer this
letter, and would be kind and condescending
enough to exchange photographs with me,
will cheerfully 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
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, am sure. You are IN luck,
Fan, and l almost envy you"-which
was the truth-''foi 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-
red to the village artist to have her
glowing impression taken; and beautiful
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 week he turned
out photograph that he felt proud
of, and that Fanny felt not ashamed to
forward to her gallant New York cor
respondent.
She sat down and indited the follow
ing letter, which Leslie received by re-
turn post:
''EpPING, June 50, $780,
"MR. LEsLIE-Dear Sir:--I received your
very as.cepfa q bla and oaptlemanlv letta,. .ho,,t