Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-10-03
MODERN LIFE AND LOVE,
From the Spanish of Ramon de Ma
yarrete.
LuiSa to Margarita.

Cordova, March Z, 1879. You re-
quest me, dearest friend, to give you
information concerning the Marquis
of Pena-Alta, whom you suppose
must know as being one Of the most
important men of the province; in
which supposition you are not mis-
taken, as 1 am thoroughly acquainted
with his conditions and circumstances.
He is, without doubt, the most i'm
portant person in the province, as we'll
on account Of his riches as by reason
of his position. He is, indeed, not
young, neither is he old; he is not
handsome, although he may be what
is nowadays called a distinguished
looking man." Finally, while not a
genius, no one can call him a fool.
This much with regard to the indi-
vidual himself: with respect to his po-
Sition my words can give but a slight
idea. The marquis is one of the larg-
est pronrietorS of the province, pos
sessing a great amount of real estate,
both in city and country. He has
large palace here. besides beautiful
and commodious houses in Andujar,
BaeZa and other cities. He is related
to the principal families Of AndaluSia,
and enjoys an excellent reputation
for good sense and proper conduct. In
spite of the fact that his alliance has
been sought do not say his hand
by multitude of mothers and
fathers on the lookout for a good
match for their daughters, he has A.
ways shown himself Indifferent to
such advances, from which it is sup
posed by some that he is secretly
harboring an unrequited love. For my
part, however, l give no credit to
these rumors; l believe that the mar
quis has not yet met his half
orange" and that on some least unex-
pected day-when satisfied with or
tired Of bachelor life-he will make
good marriage.
Your letter and inquiries lead me to
suppose that he is one of your suitors.
If such is the case do not hesitate to
accept him. You are worthy of him
by your beauty, your intelligence,
your rare qualities AMI gifts, but you
should remember that you have no
dowry; you are poor, and as things
now go in society you are almost GER
tain to die an old maid You may be
embarrassed in your decision by hay
ing on hand some other troublesome
affair Of the heart, in which case | ad-
wise you to be sensible; think of your
no, INT f11+1
Now for the example with my pre-
cept. You know that for four years
was deeply in love with young
man of this city as destitute of re-
sources as myself. We could not
marry because we had not enough
money, as they say, 'sobre que
caernos muertos.' The man who IS
now my husband then presented him
self. He was less gallant, less agree
able than poor Federico, but had a
position advantageous in all respects,
and my mother advised ME to accept
him. 1t cost me much trouble to de-
eide in his favor, bit finally resolved
to do so. At first Federico crie1 and
wept, then reproached me, and
CnredCeQeu 10 XIII DOI0 0lH1Sel1 ana me,
but, as you we'll know, we are still
enjoying perfect health, and ne
married in two or three months after
ward-as soon as a suitable chance
presented itself. We are now good
friends, and Federico was the first to
confess that we should have CON-
mitted a great folly in assuming mat
rfmonial bonds. lacking completely, as
both did. the gifts Of fortune.
Therefore, if I am correct in my sup
position regarding the Marquis Of
Pena-Alta initiate me, with whom
things have not gone badly. 1 live in
abundance and have everything for
my comfort: my husband is not an
Adonis, but he loves me dearly, and
thinks Of nothing but to make our
life pleasant. I have two fine boys, a |
carriage, a country house, etc.
Without saying more at present, I |
remain your faithful friend and |
schoolmate,
T,uisa