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FORTUNE HUNTING.

A SKETCH FROM REAL LIFE.

THE weather was hot as Tartarus. Every body although it leaped to my throat several times, as that could raise the wind, was off to the Licks, the sight of some earthly houries smote my vision. Harrodsburg, or the Springs. No clients came, I am no fool in love, as I hope to prove before I and scarcely a friend, to break the solitude of my reach the last sentence of my story, and therefore Office. At length my tailor came, bringing with did not choose to fall into a fatal passion before sunhim a bill of the sum total of my wardrobe for the set. It seems to me that the nights were made last twelve months. Afflictions come not singly; for gallants and maidens; for then, the earth being and my shoemaker handed in an account of boots shut out, they can the more readily forget it, and and pumps that I had kicked out uselessly at the enjoy a forestate of heavenly existence, which is balls of the past season. My landlord demanded mutual love, as I understand it. I never knew a rent; and I knew my landlady's eyes would sparkle sensible man who would peril his happiness on with delight if I were to present her with the fifty the effect he could produce while the sun was dollars, or such a matter,—that I happened to be in within the horizon. Girls are peculiarly sensitive arrears. These things ruffled the enamel of my while the stars are looking down on them; and I temper; and my amiability was fast giving way would not give one interview under Venus, for to more unlovely feelings. fifty in the eye of the god of day. The dinner bell What shall I do? was the question, which I put rung. The lengthy table was soon filled up by a to my ingenuity one morning. I had some thoughts swarm of persons who represented the physiog of taking the benefit of the act, but pride revolt-nomical peculiarities of every clime. At any othed. Many golden schemes floated mistily before er time, I would have been delighted with the opmy imagination, and then dissolved away in portunity presented to me for speculating on the smoke. The only means of escape from inevita-indications of character which the various counteble ruin, which struck me as being within the nances afforded. But I must confess that I was compass of my energies, was this-to get married to an heiress and pay of all my old scores with the small end of her dowry. After thinking about this scheme for a while, I really became quite enchanted with it. Houses, lands, friends, domestic comforts and the whole host of the et ceteras of matrimony, rose before me-and in anticipation, I fancied myself the monarch of all I surveyed.

immovably fixed in my purposes of falling in love if possible with some heiress, and threw but one cursory glance over the heads of about fifty gentle

men.

At length, my eye fell upon a fellow of dark complexion, black eyes and hair, who sported a pair of whiskers that made him look as ferocious as Mars himself. The reason why this fellow presented a paramount claim to my attention, was not to be found in his whiskers, but rather in his enviable proximity to a beautiful lady on his left. She looked to me about twenty years of age; the veil of lashes which shaded her full, large, lustrous black eye would occasionally be lifted up, and it would settle for a moment most beamingly on her gallant's whiskers, I thought;—and then, a smile of exquisite beauty would wave her lips in a manner that would have secured the devotion of Hogarth. I totally forgot the ostensible purpose for which I had taken my seat at the table, until I Islept very comfortably that night; and dream-was blessed by the same lady with an illumination ed about making love, black eyes, etc., until it was broad day light. At 10 o'clock, I found myDavid Crockett"

While I was immersed deeply in the midst of these pecuniary speculations, my friend Bill Reckless called on me. We had a long interview; the result of which was that we would follow the fashion of the times, and escape from the hot walls and dust, which make summer in a city so insufferable. To me, this project seemed almost providential. Now, thought I, my destiny hangs on a pivot. If in the course of my peregrinations, it shall please the fates to place me in the vicinity of an heiress, I shall strike for matrimony.

self on the back seat of the stage, bound for

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from her eyes, which gave me so severe a shock as to cause the fork in my hand to drop from my nerveless grasp on my plate. The noise awakened me; and I commenced the business of filling I fear Bill found me a dull companion. I was my mouth. Before I left the table, I concluded solely intent on fancying scenes, in which I played that if her property was worth as much as I detera very conspicuous part. Now I would suppose mined to extort as the price of my hand and affecmyself the lord of the handsomest lady hereabouts, tions, that I would prevail on her to exchange her and the envy of some of my quondam bachelor name, whatever it might be, for that which I meant friends. Again-but what signify day dreams? to give currency to. I'll come to my main purpose at once, which is a plain narration of facts, or my name is not Bob Harshand, nor my veracity unimpeachable.

The first morning of our existence at the Springs, was spent in reconnoitering the surrounding scenery, and in making observations on the company present. I kept my heart in its place,

After dinner, I asked Bill if he had noticed her. I have-or, at least, had-great faith in his opinions of the sex. He answered me affirmatively and added that she had a dash of coquetry in her composition, which a man of address might render essentially serviceable to himself. Coquettes, said he, would not effect the demolition of hearts

which is attributed to them, if men understand own rights, and did not once suppose that I was them. Coquetry is necessary to women; it is their shield, and they have a right to use it in self defence. But you can easily discover where it is a passion: it only becomes such in those with whom self-esteem is large and benevolence is small. These women are always fond of dominion, and if men are fools, they soon become the coquette's slaves. All coquettes have vanity, and the skilful man will make such use of this weakness as to disarm the lady of her terrible powers. I give you this advice in advance of the assault which I see you premeditate on the lady about whom you have hurried yourself into such a precocious fever. I should have added, before this, that my friend Bill is a phrenologist, and, of course, knows all about female character from the bumps which they wear in the neighborhood of their puffs.

bothering myself about something to which he had paramount claims. I was as unhappy as a jealous man could be, until I saw the company returning. I placed myself against a tree, and gathered the members of my body into what I considered a very interesting attitude, and awaited their approach with becoming philosophy. As they came on, a burst of laughter attracted my attention. A thought came over me that perhaps I was the subject of it and their enjoyment altogether at my expense. I grew mad, and ground my teeth with but little alleviation to my exasperated feelings. Ileft the tree, and wheeled off in a direction from them. What fools vanity sometimes makes of the best of us! I had no business to suppose that I, unknown to them, was an object of regard; and yet my own consequence was uppermost in my thoughts in that moment, and I could conceive of no other incitement to their mirthfulness, inasmuch as my jealousy prevented the supposition that the wit of the

Bill met an acquaintance during the afternoon who had preceded us in his arrival just one day. From him I learned that the lady about whom I was so interested, was the daughter of a gentle-whiskered gentleman had elicited it.

man, whom he pointed out to us, from ― county I nursed my wrath, until the bell summoned us Kentucky. He was rich; and, from what he could understand, the daughter's name was Mrs. Smith, a young widow, who was just out of her weeds. This was all fair enough for my purpose, although I always had a groundless fear of widows. However she was rich and beautiful, and they in all conscience, are as much as a reasonable man ought to expect. I made up my mind forthwith to attack her, and if possible to conclude a treaty of amity and peace before I left the spot.

solved on.

to the tables again. I felt quite hopeless, as the pretty widow approached a seat leaning on the arm of him of the exquisite whiskers. Really, it deprived me of what little appetite I had on entering the apartment; and I did nothing but indulge a variety of unamiable suspicions, and sip tea by the spoonful. I was tortured half to death, and not a ray of consolation beamed over the darkened prospect by which I was surrounded. It is very singalar how persons of tolerable sense, will suffer Towards evening I saw her, in company with themselves to be bedeviled by fancies that are not several other ladies, and the whiskered gentleman based on facts! But such is the melancholy fatuity who, I candidly confess, caused me some misgiv- of the species; and the metaphysical may account ings as to the practicability of the scheme I had re- for it as they please. I am sure I shall not trouble She tripped over the green sward myself about it. To the ideal I have given my delike a fairy; her form was a combination of splen-votion; but for the metaphysical I have but Burdors, and was altogether, a very fit support for the chell's word, and it is significant-fudge! peerless, head above it. But her gallant's scrupulous attention to her was utterly inexplicable; there was no reconciling them with my own determinations in that way. And then, too, he had the advantage of a longer acquaintance, and for what I knew, might be an accepted suitor. As these vagaries rolled over my mind, I felt a very uncomfortable amount of agony. If he had not declared, I considered myself safe from his interference; for I could hold no man my superior in the particular of wining hearts, if he were such a carricature of the genus, dandy, as he appeared to be. By the time we had finished our walk and returnThe longer I thought of him, and the possible rela-ed, a dance had been got up. We entered the aparttions existing between the lady and himself, the more meanly I esteemed him. At last, I began to hate him, and could see nothing in his exterior which could recommend him to the notice of such a divinely endowed being as I fancied her to be.

Every man has a right to his own property; but it is astonishing what an interest we frequently take in that which belongs to others. I had worked myself up into a feverish state of anxiety about a lady, who was an utter stranger to me, and, for any thing I knew to the contrary, the property, so far as the affections could make her, of another. In my hallucinations, I fancied that the gentleman with whiskers was interfering with some of my

After tea, Bill and myself took a walk out in the light of the moon. I told him of all my thoughts, and he laughed outright at me. This at first aggravated my feelings, but soon effected their mitigation; for it assured me I had not been unfortu nate, but simply foolish. My heart was rid of a mountain of trouble, and I began to breath the air of heaven freely. I now summoned fortitude, discarded suspicion, and determined on a conquest in spite of the efforts of him, who I very gratuitously looked upon as a rival.

ment, and Bill's friend introduced us to several ladies, but not to the one on whom I had set my heart. She was standing at the other extremity of the room, and her shade was along side of her. I fear the lady I had been trying to entertain noticed my mental absence, and put me down as a member of that to-be-avoided tribe, know among men as bores.

"Can you tell me the name of that tall gentleman in whiskers, who is so particularly attentive to the beautiful lady beside him?" I inquired of Miss Gaylark, a lady that I had some previous acquaintance with.

"No, sir. He is a splendid gentleman, is he not?"

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I did not ask her for comments on his exterior the citations I made, to them. After Miss Gaylark's splendors, and could not thank her for volunteering. fancy had assumed the proper degree of exciteHe looks like an Ostrogoth,” said I, before I meut, I became silent. Ihave an extreme flexibilhad time to consider the effect my speech might ity of muscle, and can look any thing. I know possibly have in causing her to form an unfavora- Miss Gaylark thought my eyes were peculiarly ble opinion of myself. expressive of softness, for I saw the reflection Ioffered her my hand for the dance, and we of glimmering in her own. I will not dwell on the course, changed the subject of conversation. I en-character of the expressions which gave eloquence tertained her by a prodigious show of knowledge to her countenance, although our tongues were on the difficult subjects of waltzing, minutes, cotil-mute. It was what is called the voice of feeling, lions, and promenades;- and into my disquisition though it took long practice to render me as natuon the last named subject, I contrived to whip an ral as I was. episode on the effect of moonlight on a sensitive How beautiful!" said I as we entered the heart, for the purpose of developing some of her shadow of a forest of trees over which the music romance. At the conclusion of a peroration, which of a stream was wafted. "And what a contrast I flatter myself was most happy, I discovered that between the glare of the moon and the shade of my partner had entirely failed to appreciate my these trees! The contrast between the shadow of eloquence, and stood silently gazing on me with a dark eye, and the soft light of a blue one!" parted lips and opened fingers, looking like a petre- You grow quite poetical. Your simile is exfaction. The dance commenced, and I was excellent," said Miss Gaylark, who is a judge of such honorated from any further colloquial efforts, for awhile. I was soon deeply engrossed with some profound speculations on the nature of a lady's nerves, which admit of the twinkling motion that their feet assume to the sound of music, and which is so exceedingly irresistible to a man of acute sensibility.

I did not get an introduction to the widow, as she vanished in company with her gallant, from the room shortly after the dancing commenced.

Every thing went on gaily; and every body seemed to enjoy themselves very much, and certainly did, unless, like myself, their countenances failed to mirror the thoughts and feelings which were passing over their minds. To tell the truth, notwithstanding Miss Gaylark, my partner, was a very pretty and sprightly girl, I felt very vapory while the company continued to move to the sound of the violin. Some pleasant sallies were made and duly responded to: but dullness, with me at least, had the mastery. As I have no notion of deviating into dullness, I will pass over the occurrences of the dance in silence.

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matters.

"I would be the most stoical of worldlings Miss, if I were not poetical under the circumstances in which I most blessedly exist at present. To what part of the world of thought does your mind rove at such scenery as this?"

"When alone, I dwell on the days of lang syne; when in company, I strive to anticipate the future." "Delightful occupations," said I. "You remind me of a verse which is either in Shelley or Coleridge; you can inform me which, for I have really forgotten. It runs thus:

When the moonlight sleeps on the mountain's
side,

And a shadow rests on the vale,
The spirit away o'er the past will ride,
And recall the scenes of its early pride,
And list to memory's tale."

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I have a great aptitude at extemporaneous speaking;-and the verse I quoted, and which enhanced the reputation of Shelley in Miss Gaylark's estimation, is but a specimen of my tact in that line. I am too modest to claim any thing which I throw off in this way, and usually give them to some of our modern poets, satisfied with the reputation I acquire as an apropos quoter of what is beautiful and sublime in the thoughts of other men.

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A walk was proposed and agreed on. I offered my arm to Miss Gaylark and led the way, while Bill and his friend with their ladies, followed. It was ten o'clock, and the moon was shining high in the heavens. The far hills were enveloped in a misty curtain of light, while every leaf near us flung bright reflections as the soft night breeze played upon them. I felt like making love-if the idea of a mechanical process be no heathenish and inadmissable, when speaking of the creation of the Music is the only thing wanting to make a commost etherial of passions. If the widow had been plete paradise of this place," said Miss Gaylark; sauntering beside me instead of Miss Gaylark, the" and I wish it was possible to import and preserve passion would undoubtedly have assumed domin-nightingales." ion over me in a manner sufficiently involuntary Capital idea,” said I. to have pleased the most ideal of romanticists. As it was, I resolved on having love; and as it would not rise spontaneously on account of the preocupancy of my heart's sanctuary by another idol, I was forced to make it, and to work I went. I began a colloquy by expatiating on the beauties of the moonlit scenery around us, and managed my discourse so adroitly as to make many couplets which I quoted, appear to follow as the most natural things in the world, while, in reality, I adapted my remarks, which were but prefaces to

"But, Hark! you can hear the murmuring of the brook; and, as I live, I can catch the tones of vocal music in the distance before us. Some nightingale of a lady, I presume; suppose we move towards it.-Do you not sing?" "Never without the accompaniment of the piano." Oh, Miss Gaylark, I will do any thing for you, if you will treat me with a song. I know you can sing-I see it in your countenance. Now, grant my prayer, and I will die for you-or,"-taking her hand and hushing my voice to a whisper-" If it please you more, will live for you."

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I fancy my action was most dramatic; for it produced a great effect on her to whom it was addressed. The carnation coursed her cheek, and her eyelid drooped; and really for the moment I forgot the widow, and felt like prostrating myself at the feet of the beautiful being before me. There was a stirring among the leaves behind us, and I droped her hand.

How hateful it is to be disturbed, just when you are about realizing some of your dreams of earthly bliss! I must have been born under the influence of some malign planet, for I have been on the eve of making nineteen declarations, and at every time something has occurred to prevent me. "Where are the rest of the company?" asked Miss Gaylark, looking around.

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"They are approaching" said I

Approaching! Why I thought they were behind us. Really, Mr. Harshand, you have been so interesting, that you have quite turned my head around, and I have lost the power of determining the course I am pursuing."

Some persons now drew nigh; and my disappointment was excruciating, when, instead of the company from which Miss Gaylark and myself had strayed, I discovered the widow and the fellow with whiskers! They passed to the right of us. I thought it looked very suspicious, that they should be wandering about alone in the woods at that hour of the night. I began to think all my hopes of success in that quarter were completely cut off. It is very strange how we should have been separated from the other gentlemen and ladies," said my pretty companion. "Let us try to find them."

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We had wandered unconciously into the depths of the wood, when Miss Gaylark made the remarks I have just recorded. I had not taken very particular notice of the route we had pursued, and began to fear that I would be unable to lead her back to the spot where we had entered. Her proposition that we should return was acceded to, and we moved off in the direction as we thought of the house. We passed on, and in a few minutes found our further progress impeded by a rivulet. We paused on its banks, and I knew we were not pursuing the proper path, as we had crossed no water course before.

My situation was somewhat perplexing. I have no locality, and never entered a strange piece of woodland in my life, without getting lost in it. I turned after a moment's silence to my companion, and said "What shall we do? I fear we are lost. For my life I can't tell the direction in which the house lies from where we are."

As I spoke Miss Gaylark looked inquisitively in my face, and I was assured from her manner that she knew I was not joking, and read every thought that was passing over my mind. She appeared satisfied and recommended another direction. We started again at a rapid pace, and in about ten minutes had the pleasure of discovering by the moonlight that we were near the boundary of the wood. We congratulated each other on the circumstance, and began some merriment at our adventure. This, however, was of but short duration; for when we had got out of the woods, we found ourselves in a field on which our eyes had never before been fixed.

The pretty face of my companion showed symptoms of great anxiety, and I felt extremely unpleasant. I happened to think that the moon who is so kind in assisting lovers, might possibly enable us to extricate ourselves from our present difficulties. I recalled to Miss Gaylark's mind the fact that the moon was to the left of us when we entered the wood, but now to the right.

Taking counsel as to the course we should pursue from the moon, we once more started off. In a short time our hearts were gladdened; as we discovered the house we were in quest of, and ourselves near the spot where we had first entered the woods. At a short distance from us, we had the

pleasure of perceiving the remainder of the company from which we had wandered, sauntering very leisurely along as if entirely unmindful of our absence. We soon joined them and related our adventures. This narrative, of course, excited a vast deal of merriment, and I had the satisfaction of answering very many difficult questions which were propounded to me, for the purpose of eliciting explanations. By the time we reached the house, all the visitors had retired, excepting one or two groups of gentlemen whose low hoarse tones formed an exquisite contrast to the music of the treefrogs and katy-dids. We bade good night.

I got up early next morning. There had been a vived. The birds were carolling from every treefine shower during the night, and all nature was retop in their blithest strains; and as the sun peeped of the horizon, the big drops glistened like diaover a rugged piece of cloud that hung on the verge monds from the points of every leaf and spear of grass. The scene was exquisitely beautiful; and gazing on the numberless splendors spread out before me, I could not help thinking how much the magnificence of every thing would be enhanced if an agreeable companion were beside me. This lost to all around me, and wholly engrossed by the thought naturally induced others, and I was soon recollections of the previous day.

The sight of the widow recalled my wandering thoughts. She was standing on the piazza with the wretch in whiskers, and a light vehicle was before them. He pulled on his gloves, sprung into the seat, cracked his long whip, and the rapidly revolving wheels flashed in the sunshine. I cordially wished him a broken or, I should say,

a

long journey. The widow strained her eyes after him, until he was hid by the trees. As I passed near her I thought she looked sorry. But it was not in my nature to sympathize with her just then, for I never was better pleased in all my life. She vanished into the house, and I pursued my speculations.

I

In the evening, I got an introduction to the widow! found her highly accomplished, beautiful and intelligent, but must acknowledge, that the artificiality of her manner would bear no comparison with the easy naturalness of Miss Gaylark's. Her cash made ample amends for all she lost by comparison; and I had but to think of the wretched condition of my finances, to feel an ungovernable im pulse for her. I borrowed impetuosity from despair, and bent all my energies to the accomplishment of my ends. I had started from home fully

resolved on making an investment of my affections

"Good evening Miss Gaylark," said I in as light where I could realize the highest amount of pecu-a tone as I ever uttered any syllable in my life, as I made up to the prettiest and sprightliest girl in company, who was now my only hope.

niary profit. My heart had an unaccountable bias towards Miss Gaylark, but my inclinations were strong for Mrs. Smith.

Never was a suitor more wakeful to a lady's wants. I walked with her, talked with her, and taxed my ingenuity in contriving accessions to her happiness. Neither was I unmindful of Miss Gaylark. When in company with both I manifested great impartiality; but when I had either alone, as I am a sinner, I played the part of an idolator. In this manner I manœuvred for the entire length of five days.

As I stood gazing on the brilliant clouds as the sun went down on the seventh day of our sojourn at the springs, I flattered myself on the adriotness with which I managed affairs, and concluded that either of the ladies was within my grasp.

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Really, Mr. Harshand," said she, "I will have to discard you and seek another gallant, if you are not more attentive. I have been expecting you for the last half hour. Where have you been?"

"Wandering about-nowhere in particularjust reviving some agreeable reminiscences, and retracing the course of the most interesting walk I ever had in all my life."

Very interesting employment to be sure: and what walk do you call the most interesting you have taken,

"It occurred just a week since, and I fancy you have not forgotten it."

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Indeed, I have not, nor ever shall."

About an hour after, a lady and gentleman might have been seen occupying a sylvan seat between two of the loftiest trees in the land, engaged in a dully sustained conversation, so far at least as the gentleman was concerned in sustaining it. They were Susan Gaylark and Robert Harshand!

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What is the matter with you? You are as dull as a Boetian," said the lady, after a pause of a minute's duration.

After supper I took a long walk with the widow. The moon was full: and I had a superstition that a vow made in the face of the full moon would not be liable to the ordinary vicissitudes of human promises. Now there was an opportunity, and the auspices most favorable. I was tender and sentimental as a shepherd swain; and to my fancy, the lady at my side fully responded to every action of my heart. At length we entered a little grove of trees, situated but a short distance from the house. We stopped in the midst of it, near a spring. I seized her hand, and had hardly eommenced a declaration, when a voice louder and harsher than mine, greeted the lady's cars. "Maria, what the devil's the meaning of this con-cause.' duct? what's the matter? are you

"Why John, is that you-when did you get back," said the widow laughing; and snatching her hand from my grasp, she ran towards him from whom the voice proceeded. "Oh, nothing's the matter. I stuck a splinter in my hand just now, and my friend here was trying to extricate it by the light of the moon. And now permit me to introduce you to Mr. Harshand. Mr. Smith, Mr. Harshand-Mr. Harshand, Mr. Smith-my husband!" I took his extended hand, of course; and for the first time, spoke to the fellow in whiskers, who had occasioned me so many fears when I first arrived at the springs. I felt chagrined to my heart's core, and yet could not but admire the consummateness of the lady's manner and invention which had extricated her from the suspicions of a jealous husband. He had just returned from an expedition, into the particulars of which I instituted no inquiries. I left them to themselves as soon as I could decently get off, and never felt so sheepish before in my life. It was my first, and it shall be my last flirtation with a married lady. I soon saw my friend Bill Reckless.

"Bill," said I, "the jig is up. Your friend was mistaken about Mrs. Smith's relations. She is not a widow.

"The deuce! what is she?"

"The wife of that fellow who sports such tremendous whiskers, and who left here a few days ago."

"I am engrossed with thoughts which lie too deep for utterance," said I. "But why should you charge me with dullness?"

"I wish to discover the cause, and remove it if I

can."

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Susan," said I, taking her hand, "you are the

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This was followed by an impassioned strain, in the midst of which the lady sprang from her seat and bade me desist. I started back, put my hand to my forehead; and looked, I fear, very much like a candidate for the lunatic asylum.

"Be calm," said she, "if you had taken the pains of inquiring, I would have told you plainly what my freedom with you must have indicated. I esteem you eminently as a friend, but my affections are elsewhere."

Of course, nothing more was said. We soon re turned to the house and separated. As Susan bade me farewell, she added, "Do not fear me-I am your sincere friend-I will not betray you."

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Bill," said I, as soon as I saw him alone, "I am off for home in the morning.

notions for the last three days.
Well, I am ready. I have been waiting on your
But what the
deuce has prompted this sudden determination? I
thought you were fascinated by the ladies and had
forgot home and all its concerns."

I gave Bill a faithful history of the transactions of that eventful evening. He was the first, and you, dear reader, are the second person, to whom I have deemed it prudent to entrust my secret. May I not hope that you will not betray my confidence?

The next day, we left the springs. As we jogged onward over a rough road, I congratulated myself on the tact with which I had conducted my affairs, and felt peculiarly picasant when I reflected that I "I will tell you at some other time. Let us join was still in the market-just five and twenty-and this company."

How did you find it out?”

in the full glory of free and unshackled bachelorism.

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