The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1909-07-27
Confirmation
Of q Bachelor
BY tuInnIAM ENNIS.

+<*++<+<+<++<<++*++<<+<<+>
AM not by nature a cruel or violent
/ man, and as l hear Master Charles
and his sister are going about accus-
ing me of being all this, think it is
due to myself to write out true ac-
count, from the. beginning. of this mis-
cradle affair. Ny arm still aches. but
will set down the facts while they
are yet fresh in my memory.
1t was on November that 1 re-
ceived the invitation. l have it be-
fore me as write. 1t is as follows:
feld. At home. Monday. December 2.
Dancing. 1880. Fancy dress"
My name and the words fancy dress"
were written, the rest was printed.
would here mention that, at that
time, 1 entertained feelings of sin
cere admiration for Mrs Freshfield's
daughter Dolly. She was more than
ordinarily good looking, and in addi-
ton. L thought. well-mannered and Of
a nice disposition. Ut only shows how
one may be deceived.) Nothing is to
be gained by the concealment of the
fact that l aspired to her hand. A
match with her had seemed to me, aft
er mature deliberation. emineutly de-
sirable. though the balance Of the ad-
vantage would have rested with her.
She, as have said. was young and pref
ty. Her father was in business. and
certainly not wealthy. l, though just
past middle age. am well preserved and
have ample means. l am barrister-at-
law. but do not practice. Not a dis
used lawyer. understand; have never
practiced. do nothing. In addition.
my family is, of course, OF infinitely
better standing than hers. 1t would,
in fact. in the eyes of many Of my rela-
tives 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 had shown / was partial to her.
Her attitude to me was always re-
spectfui. though it lacked the warmth
that ] could have desired. That was
one of the reasons why I had not ac-
tudlN DItRptCu liza (
was nothing to be gained by rushing
matters, and I felt sure that it would
only he a matter of time before she
reciprocated ~ feelings of affection.
Her father. on the other hand, enter
tanned a sincere regard for me. Her
mother was an invalid. and one seldom
saw her; but felt that she, too, liked
y. % ho
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 n boy. and the
only one, he was spoiled. One often
sees it. l made several attempts to
become friends with him, for the sake
of his sister, but it was no good. The
yileness OF his character may be evi
denced by the fact that he would take
\ bride from me on one day, and yet
be as irreconcilable as ever on the
morrow.
In appearance he was like an ape.
Well, | spent some time in thinking
out what costume l should wear.
finally decided on a clowns dress. PEG
pie who know me will be surprised a,
the choice. But there were reasons
l specially wanted to please Mis-
Freshfield at the dance. Herself being
young, she was fond of all sorts and
knew she thought me too serious. Sh'
as much as said so one day. Not tina
I am ashamed of being serious; quit,
the contrary. There are, in my opinion
a great deal too many wags and fool
nowadays. But wanted to create
good impression on Miss Freshfiel,
that evening, for thought that if sh
seemed sufficiently sympathetic nigh
disclose the state of my feelings to he1
and did not see why l should not Civ
myself every advantage. After al
for all knew. there might be younge
suitors.
The dress was a truly wonderful ere
alton. l went to the best costumer'
to have it made, and let them kno,
they were not to consider expense, bu
to do the thing we'll. 1t was made par,
IL of satins, not OF cotton like the com
mon clowns things. On the chest PAL
which was red. there was a huge We
,, low donkey. and there were comic an
, mails in other places. The whole e1
feet was entirely absurd, as, of cours,
: was intended. though l resolved tina
it was the last time that would sui
nit to tomfoolery Of this kind. Sh
Z would not fnd me so tractable afte
!, marriage.
The night of the dance arrived.
drove up in brougham. An aggrava
! ing incident at the start was that quit
= a number Of gamins sighted me nea
: the house, and ran after the carriaR
! at the door. This was especially al
: noying to me. hold that it is onl