The Coconino sun., 1902-12-06
Confirmation of a Bachelor
By uIhnIHM ENNIS.

AM not by nature cruel or violen,
 man, and as hear Master Charle,
 and his sister are going about accug
 ing me of being all this, think it fl
 due to myself to write out true ac
 count. from the. beginning, of this mis
 erable affair. My arm still aches, but
 l will set down the facts while they
 are yet fresh in my memory.
 It was on November 6 that I re.
 ceived the invitation. l have it be.
 fore me as write. It is as follows:
 ''Mr. J. Holt Leigh: Mrs. Stephen Fresh
 held. At home, Monday, December 2
 Dancing. l0:30. Fancy dress"
 My name and the words fancy dress'
 were written. the rest was printed.
 l would here mention that, at that
 time, l entertained feelings of sim cere admiration for Mrs. Freshfield's daughter Dolly. She was more than ordinarily good looking. and in addi- tion. l thought. well-mannered and of nice disposition. (It only shows how one may be deceived.) Nothing is to be gained by the concealment of the fact that I aspired to her hand. A match with her had seemed to me, aft CT mature deliberation, eminently de- sirable, though the balance of the ad- vantage would have rested with her. She. as have said, was young and pret- ty. Her father was in business, and certainly not wealthy. I, though just past middle age. am we'll preserved and have ample means. Tam barrister-at- law. but I do not practice. Not dis used lawyer, understand; Ihave never practiced. do nothing. In addition, my family is, of course. of infinitely better standing than hers. It would, in fact, in the eyes of many of my rela-. tiyes have been mesalliance. l had not yet, in so many words, disclosed my intentions to her. but by frequent visits at her house, and in many little ways-entirely correct. need scarcely say-I had shown was partial to her. Her attitude to me was always re- spectful, though it lacked the warmth that I could have desired. That was one of the reasons why had not &C., tually proposed matrimony. There was nothing to be gained by rushing matters, and felt sure that it would only be matter of time before she reciprocated i> feelings of affection. Her father. on the other hand, enter tained sincere regard for me. Her mother was an invalid. and one seldom saw her; but felt that she. too, liked me. The only other member of the family was Miss Freshfield's brother, Charlie. He was ten years old, and this boy, for some reason or other. took a dislike to me. He was a boy of the most objectionable type. impish and rude. Miss Freshfield. curiously, was attached to him. Being boy, and the only one, he was spoiled. One often sees it. I made several attempts to become friends with him. for the sake of his sister. but it was no good. The vileness of his character may be evi- denced by the fact that he would take a bribe from me on one day, and yet be as irreconcilable as ever on the morrow.
 In appearance ne was like an ape.
 We'll, spsnV sU,nc time in thinking out what cos.ume I should wear. finally decided oA q clowns dress. Peo- pie who kn W me wal De surprised at the choice tnere were reasons. l specially wsnSeu So please Miss at tne uance. Herself being young, sbe vas Iund of all sorts and I knew she .Aougnt me too serious. She as much saiu gu one day. Not that am ashamed ul being serious; quite he contrary. There are, in my opinion, } great deal too many wags and fools But wanted to create a good impression on Miss Freshfield that evening, for thought that if she seemed sufficientlysympathetic might lisclose the state of my feelings to her. and did not see why should not give myself every advantage. After all,