Year: 1862

until such time as l should have chance to
confer with him, as thought it highly proba-
BILE could make him an offer for her which
he wonld be willing to accept so dashed
of hasty note, and having folded, sealed,
and superscribed both missives, | consigned
them to the post Office and returned to my du-
ties with q view of Willing away the time as
patiently as possible until [ could have sufi-
Gent leisure to enable me to ascertain the re.
suit of my petition.


However wearily the wheels of time may
sometimes drag on, yet they never have been
known to cease their revolutions entirely, and
thus in my case, although the space interven-
ing between my despatching the letters and
my visit to their destination seemed interim
nably long, yet it finally passed away and at
length one fine morning found me comfortably
ensconced 10 the cars, dashing on at furious
rate in the direction of c., and in q few
hours | reached the goal upon which were
fixed my highest hopes. which, alas for the
disappointments to W hich we are all of US more
or less liable at times to be subjected, as the
sequel will show, were destined never to be
realized, hopes which proved to be unsubstan-
tal foundation upon which had been build
ing my airy castles but will not anticipate.


Immediately upon my arrival in c., I
repaired to hotel, to put myself in the prop
er trim. prior to calling at the house of my
prospective friend. Having made an unex
ceptiona le toilet, | set out with a beating
heart aud sort of nervous impaticnce, and
after a short walk found myself at Mr.. May
burns door. rang the bell. which was an
swered by the servant, who at once ushered
me into the sitting room, where were Carrie
and her father, both of whom regarded me
All instant with looks of surprise and wonder,
when, to my astonishment, the former arose,
and, with naught save slight and scarcely
perceptble nod of recognition, glided ont of
the door. How to account for this strange
conduct, was a thing utterly beyond my COM
prehension {; Tor moment l was dum6found.
ed, hut as | recovered myself, | turned to.
wards the father as though to ask a solution
of the mystery / did not have long to wait,
for with a face resembling surcharged thun-
dercIoud, the old gentleman suddenly burst
forth


"Well, sir, you are scoundrel and a viii
lain, and as consummate a specimen of con-
ceutrated audacity effron,ery and impudence,
as you now prove yourself to be in polluting
my house with your contaminatng presence,
never saw !"


To say was astonished, would be but q
faint way of expressing it. | was completely
taken ahack, but, finally, managed to find my
speech when politely requested him to ex-
plain himself as | was not aware that 1 had
been guilty of any act to merit these auimad-
versions


Explain, sir why what do you mean,
ro, n pnppy and hayinu most
grossly insuled my daughter as well as my,
seIf-a fact of which we have ample testimony
in your own hand wrting-do you dare TO
come aud deuy 10 my face any knowledge of
the fac whatever ~


This was something 7 was entirely unpre
pared for, and looAcd long aud earnestly at
the man TO see if he was insane or not. What
did he mean? What a prepoSterous idea
l offer an insult to his daughter her, for
whom would cheerfully have laid down my
life, and felt only too thankful for the oppor
tuhity.


Mr. Mayburn," said I, as soon as | could
recover my faculties, 9" | Will not be thus tri
fed with any longer. have never, either by
word or deed, been the cause of wounding
your daughters feelings, and /"


But he seemed determined that / should
have no chance to vindicst te myself in any way,
and stopped me short by producing from bis
pocket letter, which he thrust fercely into
my hand, saying as he did so:


There is the undeniabe proof let US
have 10 more words about it. Leave my
house and never enter it again as long as you
live, or will have you pitched headforemost
into the street."


Mechanically took the letter, the hand
writing of which Immediately recognized as
my own, and ran my eye hurriedly over the
contents. Good heavens it was the note |
bad, 10y mistake enclosed 10 the envelope ad-
dressed to Mr.. Mayburn, and U'ce rers0.


As the reader is doubtless anxious to know
what the letter could possibly contain to so
completely turn the tide of affairs pertaining
to my matrimonial prospects, L will give it
Uerbatlm -


Jolly CHUM:-I sit down to scrawl you word or
two in reference to the superb animal over which you
hold legal ~ and OF whom as you are already aware
have desired to be in possession knowing her to be
gay creature full of life and spirit and whal decidedly
fast. feel that without her cannot longer be salts
fed ; and from nothing assure you, will derive so
much pleasure from trottng her around and exhibit
ing her to my friends Feeling certain that my offer
proves acceptable, will call on you in short time, un-
til which l do not wish you to dispose OF her.


Yours considerably,


EDWIN WILLET"


After reading it, stood for moment as
if in a trance; at length l raised my eyes
from the letter, gave one glance at Mr.. May
burn, and crushing the offending sheet in my
hand, rushed. scarcely knowing what l did,
with a sort of frantic despair through the hall,
and without word to any one l left the
house, never again to darken its doors.


few davs afterward I called uDOn Bob
Tracy to say to him that be need not reserve
the mare any longer, as had concluded not
to purchase but as soon as he caught sight
of me be ran out to meet and shook me by the
hand and otherwise INDUCED in the most ex-
travagant demonstrations of joy, asking me
over aud over again if it was really me, as be
despaired of ever seeing me again, for having
received from me most beautifully written