EE A XK M 0 11 TIME 11 ,
Editor and 1'roprietor.
Vol. IV.
Is Published Wtcldy,
At New liloomfield, Tcnn'ti.
BY
FRANK MORTIMER.
SUBSCRIPTION TERMS. "
OXE DOLLAR rElt TEA 11 !
IIV ADVANCia
Courting by Letter.
s
HE is really the prettiest little
Willoughby Vano, as lie turned from the
window for the fiftieth time that morning.
"Jane," he added, addressing his house
maid, who was clearing away the breakfast
things, have you any idea who the people
are who have 'aken old Mr. Adderly's
house opposito ?"
"Well, yes, sir, if you please," returned
Uie housemaid. "I mot their cook at the
grocer's the other day, and she said that
her master's name was Black Capting
Choker Black aud that he was staying
there on leave of absence with his wife and
daughter, sir."
" Oh, indeed I Did she happen to men
tion the young lady's name ?"
"Yes, sir. She called her Miss Eva."
"Eva! What a charming name 1" mur-
niuived Willoughby to himself; and then
he added aloud :
"That will do, Jane thank you."
Mr. Willoughby Vane was a bachelor
twenty-eight years old, rich indolent and
toterably good-looking. He lived with a
widowed mother in a pleasant house on the
Clapham road, and, having nothing else to
do, had fallen desperately in love with his
pretty neighbor, and anxiously sought an
opportunity for an introduction. However
liaving discovered the name of his fair
enchantress, he determined to address her
anonymously by letter.
Having decided upon taking this step,
the next thing to be done was to put it into
execution ; and, having shut himself up in
his little study, aftormany futile attempts
he succcoded in framing an epistle -to the
lady to his satisfaction ; begging her, if
she valued his peace of mind, to return
an answer to " W. V., The Postofllee,
Clapham-common." That done, ' ho went
out for a walk, and dropped the letter into
the nearest box.
Ilegularly three times a day, for a week
afterward, he called at the postoffico to soe
whether an answer had arrived for him.
As the week advanced, Willoughby began
to lose his appctito, and grew so restless
and irritable, that Mrs. Vane, like a fond
mother, fancied that her dear boy was un
well, and begged him to consult their
medical attendant. But hor son lauyhed
at the idea, knowing well that his com
plaint was beyond tha doctors skill to
cure.
Ho was beginning to despair of ever re
viving a reply, when to his groat delight
n tne seventn morning, a letter was hau
led to him by the post-mistross, written in
i dainty fenialo hand, and addressed to
W. V." Almost unable to conceal his
motion, ho quitted the shop, broke open
ho seal, and drank in the contents.
They were evidently of a pleasing nature
'or he read the letter over again, kissed
ho envelope, put it in his breast-coat pocket
na hurried homo to see his inamorata
ooking out of the window of the opposito
iome, as usual.
For a moment his first impulse was
salute her respectfully ; but immediately
fterward he bethought himself that as he
as still tncog., the young lady would por-
aps, feel insulted by the action. Besides
ow could sho have any idea that he was
W. V.?" So he went indoors, and amused
AN INDEPENDENT FAMILY
: N.?0V :Blo,iin11 J?n.9 August 23, 1&70.
himself for three hours in inditing a reply
to her letter, which he posted tho same
afternoon, and, in duo course, a second
answer arrived.
And so matters went on, a constant in
terchange of letters being kept up for a
fortnight, during which time Mr.Vpugh
by Vane spent his days in runniny-ytb and
from the postollico, writing and Pitching
his fair neighbor from the window of tho
dining-room.
" Confound it 1" he would sometimes say
to himself. "How very provoking the
dear girl is 1 She will never look this way.
I do wish I could catch her cycy-'if -only for
a moment. What a horridly pour-looking
old crab the mother is 1 Depend upon it
Willoughby, that poor child is anything
but happy at homo with those two old fo
gies. Indeed her letters hint as much.
And having given vent to his feolings, ho
would put on his hat and walk to the post
oflioo or shut himself in his room, and com
pose another note to his " Dearest Eva."
At length, three months having ilown
rapidly away in this manner, he received a
letter one morning from the young lady
which.ran as follows :
" To W. V. Sir : As it is useless to con
tinuo a correspondence in this manner, I
think it is now time for you to throw off
your incognito, and reveal your true name
and position to one to whom you are not
totally indifferent. Believe mo that noth
ing inspires love like .mutual confidence.
Prove to me that. I have not been impru
dent in answering your letters by at once
informing me who you are. It is with no
feeling of idlo curiosty I ask. this, simply
for our mutual satisfaction.
" Yours, &c, Eva."
To which Willoughby replied by return
of post :
' Dearest Eva : If you will permit ino
to call you so 1 Have you not for weeks
past observed a young man with his hair
brushed back, anxiously watching you.
from the window of the opposite house ?
And, although you have not apparently ta
ken the slightest notice of him, I trust that
his features are not altogether repulsive to
you. I am that individual.
Charmed by the graceful magic of thine eye,
Day after day I watch and dream; and sigh;
Watch thee, dream of thee, sigh for tliec alone,
. Fair star of Clapham may I add, my own?
To quote with so-no alterations, tho noble
stanza of the poet Brown. And now I have
a favor. Whenever you see me at the win
dow, take no notice of mo at present,
lest my mother should observe it. In a few
days sho will be going out of town, and
then we can throw oil all restraint. 1 ill
then, adiou ! Adieu, my adorable one,
adieu I My eyes are ever on you. Your
own " Willoughby Vane.'
To which epistle come tho following an
swer :
" Dear Sib : Your explanation is per
fectly satisfactory, I may also add that
your features are not at all repulsive to
Eva."
"Bless her 1 What a delightful little
girl she is 1" ejaculated Willoughby.
Aud he went out, ordorcd a new suit of
clothes, and had his hair out.
" Wiily," said Mrs. Vane to her son the
next morning; ' I do wish you would do
something to improve your mind, and not
waste your time by looking out of the win
dow all day as you have lately done. Como
and road the parlinientary debate.-, to me, if
you have nothing else to do."
Tho worthy lady was a red hot politician,
and for three mortal hours she kept him at
this delightful task ; at the expiration of
which time he succeeded in escaping to his
own room, where he wrote the following
note to Eva :
" Dearest Eva : I am overjoyed at the
contents of your brief communication. If,
as you say, my features are not altogether
repulsive to you, may I hope that you will
consent to be mine mine only?
Willoughby."
Back came the reply next morning :
" Deak Willoughby : Your reply has
made me feel very happy. It is very dull
here ; no society except father and mother.
I long for more congenial companionship.
Thine, Eva."
In this delightful manner the days flew
on halcyon days, too, they were for Wil
loughby, and sweetened by the interchange
of this, and other lover-like correspon
dence. ' On the following Monday morn
ing Mrs. Vane'left town on a visit to some
friends in Devonshire, leaving her son to
keep house at home. That same afternoon
one of Capt. Black's servants brought tho
following note for Willoughby :
" Willie : Have you any objections to
my telling my dear father all'? Matters
have gone so far that it will bo impossible
for either of us to retract what we have
written. Let us take papa into our confi
dence. I know his kind and generous na
ture well, and have no fear that he will op
pose our union. Pray, send me a lino by
bearer. Eva."
The answer was as follows : ,,.
"My Own Eva: Do whatever ypii con
sider best, My fate is in your hands. If
your papa should refuse his consent, I
But I will not think of anything so dread
ful. Fear not that I shall ever retract.
Life without you would be a desert with
no oasis to brighten it.
Yours until death, Willoughby."
That evening, just as Willoughby had
finished dinner, he heard a loud double
knock at the street-door ; and on its beiug
opened a strange voice inquired, in a loud,
tone :
"Is Mr. Willoughby Vano at home?"
His heart beat violently as Jane, enter
ing the room, said:
"A gentleman wishes to spoak to you in
the library, sir." y
And she handed him a card, inscribed
"Capt. Choker Black, C. B., II. M.'s 1,
794th foot."
" I will be with him in a moment," said
Willoughby ; and he swallowed a couple
glasses of sherry, to nerve hiin for the in
terview. '
"Capt. Choker Black, I believe," he said,
as he entered tho library.
" Your servant, sir," said the gallant cap
tain, who, glass in hand, was busily en
gaged in scrutinizing an engraving of the
battle of Navarino. '
"Your servant, sir. Have I the pleas
ure of addressing Mr. Willoughby Vane ?"
Willoughby bowed.
" Then, sir," of course, you know the
business that has brought me here ?"
Terribly nervous; and scarcely knowing
what answer to make, our hero bowed again.
"Come, come, s,;-, don't be afraid to
speak out ! My daughter has made mo hor
confidant, so let there bo no reserve be
tween us. Eva has told mo all 1"
Hero poor Willoughboy blushed up to
the roots of his hair.
"You see I know all about it ; you have
fallen ii sperately in love with the poor
girl ; and although you have never ex
changed two words together, you are al
ready engaged to bo married. Very expe
ditious, upon my word I Ha ! ha 1 ha !
Pray excuse mo for laughing, but the idea
is somewhat comical."
As the captain appeared to bo in a very
good humor, Willoughby's courage began
to rise.
" Don't mention it, sir. You i re hor
father, and have a right to do what you
please. But I sincerely trust that you have
no objection to tho offer ?" ;
" I ? None 1 Believe me, I shall bo de
lighted to see my Eva comfortably settled.
But hark ye, sir, business is business. I am
a plain, blunt man, and fifty years' sojourn
with o's regiment in India doesn't help
to polish one. First of all, then, what are
ypur prospects ?"
And the captain drew a note book from
his pocket, and procoo to x:i u.o our
hero as if he was in a court of justico.
"You aro an only son, I believe?"
"Iain."
" Good." And down went tho note in
the pocket-' r ok.
"Your age?"
"Twenty-eight next birthday."
"Twenty-eight. Good. Is your consti
tution healthy ?"
" I believe so. I have had the measles,
whooping-cough, and mumps."
" Disorders peculiar to infancy. Good."
And the captain scribblod away again.
"Are you engaged in any business or
profession ?"
" None."
" Then how on earth do you live ?'
NEWSPAPER.
"On my private income, captain."
"Then all I can say is, you're an uncom
monly lucky fellow to be able to subsist on
that. I only wish I could. What is the
amount of your income ?"
"About seven hnndrad a year."
" Is it in houso property, shares in limi
ted companies, or the funds ? If in public
companies I should be sorry to give two
years' purchase for the lot."
" In tho new 4 per cents."
" Good. I think I may say very good.
What sort of a temper are you ?" .
" Well, that's a rather dillicult question
to answer," said Willoughby, smiling for
the first time.
"Hang it, sir, not at all 1" returned the
captain. " If any one asked mo my tem
per. I should say ' Hasty, sir confound
ly hasty I' And Choker Black's proud of
it, sir proud of it !"
" Say about the average," answered Wil
loughby, timidly.
J emper average," answered Willough
by, timidly.
"Temper average," said the Captain,
jotting it down. " I think these are about
all the questions I have to ask you. You
know my daughter by sight ?"
" I have had the pleasure of seoing her
frequently, from the window, sir."
"And you think you would be happy,
with her?"
"Think, captain. I am certain of it."
"Very good. Now harkey, Mr. Wil
longhby Vane., Marry her, trout Jir'weH,
and be happy. Neglect her, blight her
young afl'etions by harshness or cruelty,
and hang me, sir, if I don't riddle you with
bullots. Gad 1 sir, I'm a man of my word,
and I'll do what I say, as sure as my namo
is Choker Black."
" I have no fear on that score, captain.
Unite her to mo, and if a life of devo
tion" "I know all about that," said the cap
tain. "Keen your flue phrases for tho
girl's cars. Give mo your hand, sir. I've
taken a fancy to you."
"You flatter nie, ciiptain."
" Hang it, sir, no ; Choker Black never
indulges in flattery. Don't bo afraid to
grasp my hand, sir ; it's yours so long as I
find you plain-sailing and straightforward.
But if ever I suspect you of any artilice or
deception, I'll knock you down with it.
So now I hope we perfectly understand
each other."
"One word mo."," said Willoughby.
"Am I to understand that you consent to
our union."
"Certainly. You can bo married to
morrow, if you please. Sir, the happiness
o" n y dear child is my first consideration.
Gad, sir, I am not a bruto, not one of those
unnatural parents people road of in novels.
Choker Black may be a fire-eater in tho
field ; but at any rate ha knows how to
treat his own flesh and lood."
" Captain, you overwhelm me with grati
tude." "Say no more about it. Clap on your
hat and como across tho road with mo, and
I'll introduce you to my daughter at once."
Scarcely knowing what ho was about,
Willoughby did as he was told. They
crossed tbe road together, and the captain
opened his door with a latch-key.
"One moment, if yon ploase," said Wil
loughby, who was titivating his hair and
arranging his cravat.
"Are you ready now?" nsked the cap
tain. "Quite."
"Mr. Willoughby Vane," cried the cap
tain, ushering our hero into the drawing
room. Then, waving his hand, he added,
" Allow ine to introduce you to my wifo
and daughter."
Willoughby looked exceedingly foolish
as ho bowed to the two latlies. On a couch
by the fireside sat his enchantress, looking
more bewitching than ever; hor viVo-cta be
ing the tall, thin, angular woman in black
that he had frequently noticed from over
the way.
(Terms: IX ADVANCE.
) One Dollar per Year.
No. :5-t.
"What a contrast,' thought Willough
by, "between mother and daughter."
"Annie, my dear, Mr. Vane is nervous,
no doubt. You know the adage. Let us
leave the young people together ; and he'll
soon find his tongue then, I'll wager," the
captain said, addressing the younger ef
tho two ladies, who immediately rose from
her scat.
" Slay, for there is some mistake here,"
said Willoughby. " This lady is " and
he pointed to tho gaunt femalo.
"My daughter, sir !" said the captain.
"My daughter by my first wife."
' And this " ejaculated our hero, turn
ing to the young lady.
"Is my second wife, sir."
Mr. Willoughby Vane fled from his home
that night. About a month later his al
most broken-hearted mother received a let
ter from him explaining the whole affair ;
and the post-mark boro tho words of Mon
treal, Canada.
Revolutionary Anecdote.
AN old lady used to relate the following
anecdote of her Revolutionary remem
brance :
The afternoon of one jf the last days of
1770 when I was a few months short of 8
years old, notice came to Townsend, Massa
chusetts, where my father used to live, that
fifteen soldiers were wanted.
. Tie training band was instantly called
out,. r. y-bi-oUiwth was th e next old
er than I, was oue that was selected. Ho
did not return till late at night, when all
were in bed. When I rose in the morning I
found my mother in tears, who informed
that my brother John was to march
t day after to-morrow morning at sun
rise. My father was at Boston, in the
Massachusetts Assembly. Mother said tliat
though John was supplied with summer
clothes, he must be absent seven or eight
mouths, and would suffer from want of
winter garments. There were at this time
no stores, and no articles to bo had except
such as each family could make itself. The
sight of my mother's tears always brought
all the hidden strength of tho budy and
mind to action. I immediately asked what
garments were needful. She replied "pan
taloons." "Oh, is that is all we will spin and weave
him a pair before ho goes."
"Tut," said my mother, "tho wool is
on tho sheep's back, and the sheep are in
pasture."
I immediately turned to a younger broth
er and bado him take a salt-dish and call
them to the yard.
Mother replied, " Poor child, there arc
no sheep-shears within three miles."
" I have some small shears at tho loom."
" But we can't spin and weave it in so
short a time."
"I am certain wo can, mother."
"llowcan you weave it? There is a
long web of linen in the loom."
"No matter, I can find an empty loom."
By this time the sound of tho sheep made
me quicken my steps toward tho yard. 1
requested my sister to bring me tho wheel
and cards whilo I went for the wool. I
went into the yard with my brother and so
cured a whito sheep, from which I sheared,
enough for a web ; wo then let her go with
tho rest of her fleeco. I sent the wool in
by my sistur. Luther ran for a black sheep,
and held her while I cut off wool for my
filling and half tho warp, and then we al
lowed her to gf with tho remaining part of
hor fleece.
The good old lady further observed that
the wool thus obtained was duly carded
andspuu, washed, sized, and dried ; a loom
was found a few doors oft", tho web got in,
wove, and prepared, cut and made two or
three hours before tho brother's departure
that is to say, in forty hours from th
commencement, without help from any
modern improvement.
Tho good old lady closed by saying, "I
felt no weariness, I wept not, I was serving
my country, I was relieving mother, I was
preparing a garment for my darling brother.
The garment being finished, I retired and
wept till my overcharged and bursting
heart was relieved."
This brother was) perhaps, one of Gener
al Stark's soldiers, and with such a spirit to
cope with, need we wonder that Burgoyne
did not execute his threat of marching into
1 the heart of America?