_13.--A Lover's Good-bye Before Starting on a Journey._
Pearl St., New York, March 11th, 1894.
My Dearest Nellie: I am off to-morrow, and yet not altogether, for I leave
my heart behind in your gentle keeping. You need not place a guard over it,
however, for it is as impossible that it should stay away, as for a bit of
steel {45} to rush from a magnet. The simile is eminently correct, for you,
my dear girl, are a magnet, and my heart is as true to you as steel. I
shall make my absence as brief as possible. Not a day, not an hour, not a
minute, shall I waste either in going or returning. Oh, this business; but
I won't complain, for we must have something for our hive besides
honey--something that rhymes with it--and that we must have it, I must
bestir myself. You will find me a faithful correspondent. Like the spider,
I shall drop a line by (almost) every post; and mind, you must give me
letter for letter. I can't give you credit. Your returns must be prompt and
punctual.
Passionately yours,
LEWIS SHUMAN.
To Miss Nellie Carter,
No. ---- Fifth Avenue, New York.
_14.--From an Absent Lover._
Chicago, Ill., Sept. 10, 1894.
My Dearest Kate: This sheet of paper, though I should cover it with loving
words, could never tell you truly how I long to see you again. Time does
not run on with me now at the same pace as with other people; the hours
seem days, the days weeks, while I am absent from you, and I have no faith
in the accuracy of clocks and almanacs. Ah! if there were truth in
clairvoyance, wouldn't I be with you at this moment! I wonder if you are as
impatient to see me as I am to fly to you? Sometimes it seems as if I must
leave business and everything else to the Fates, and take the first train
to Dawson. However, the hours do move, though they don't appear to, and in
a few more weeks we shall meet again. Let me hear from you as frequently as
possible in the meantime. Tell me of your health, your amusements and your
affections.
Remember that every word you write will be a comfort to me.
Unchangeably yours,
WILLIAM MILLER.
To Miss Kate Martin,
Dawson, N. D.
_15.--A Declaration of Love at First Sight_.
Waterford, Maine, May 8th, 1894.
Dear Miss Searles:
Although I have been in your society but once, the impression you have made
upon me is so deep and powerful that I cannot forbear writing to you, in
defiance of all rules of etiquette. Affection is sometimes of slow growth:
{46} but sometimes it springs up in a moment. In half an hour after I was
introduced to you my heart was no longer my own. I have not the assurance
to suppose that I have been fortunate enough to create any interest in
yours; but will you allow me to cultivate your acquaintance in the hope of
being able to win your regard in the course of time? Petitioning for a few
lines in reply,
I remain, dear Miss Searles,
Yours devotedly,
E. C. NICKS.
Miss E. Searles,
Waterford, Maine.
_16.--Proposing Marriage._
Wednesday, October 20th, 1894.
Dearest Etta:
The delightful hours I have passed in your society have left an impression
on my mind that is altogether indelible, and cannot be effaced even by time
itself. The frequent opportunities I have possessed, of observing the
thousand acts of amiability and kindness which mark the daily tenor of your
life, have ripened my feelings of affectionate regard into a passion at
once ardent and sincere, until I have at length associated my hopes of
future happiness with the idea of you as a life partner, in them. Believe
me, dearest Etta, this is no puerile fancy, but the matured results of a
long and warmly cherished admiration of your many charms of person and
mind. It is love--pure, devoted love, and I feel confident that your
knowledge of my character will lead you to ascribe my motives to their true
source.
May I then implore you to consult your own heart, and should this avowal of
my fervent and honorable passion for you be crowned with your acceptance
and approval, to grant me permission to refer the matter to your parents.
Anxiously awaiting your answer,
I am, dearest Etta,
Your sincere and faithful lover,
GEO. COURTRIGHT.
To Miss Etta Jay,
Malden, Ill.
{47}
_17.--From a Gentleman to a Widow._
Philadelphia, May 10th, 1894.
My Dear Mrs. Freeman:
I am sure you are too clear-sighted not to have observed the profound
impression which your amiable qualities, intelligence and personal
attractions have made upon my heart, and as you have not repelled my
attentions nor manifested displeasure when I ventured to hint at the deep
interest I felt in your welfare and happiness, I cannot help hoping that
you will receive an explicit expression of my attachments, kindly and
favorably. I wish it were in my power to clothe the feelings I entertain
for you in such words as should make my pleadings irresistible; but, after
all, what could I say, more than you are very dear to me, and that the most
earnest desire of my soul is to have the privilege of calling you my wife?
Do you, can you love me? You will not, I am certain, keep me in suspense,
for you are too good and kind to trifle for a moment with sincerity like
mine. Awaiting your answer,
I remain with respectful affection,
Ever yours,
HENRY MURRAY.
Mrs. Julia Freeman,
Philadelphia.
_18.--From a Lady to an Inconstant Lover._
Dear Harry:
It is with great reluctance that I enter upon a subject which has given me
great pain, and upon which silence has become impossible if I would
preserve my self-respect. You cannot but be aware that I have just reason
for saying that you have much displeased me. You have apparently forgotten
what is due to me, circumstanced as we are, thus far at least. You cannot
suppose that I can tamely see you disregard my feelings, by conduct toward
other ladies from which I should naturally have the right to expect you to
abstain. I am not so vulgar a person as to be jealous. When there is cause
to infer changed feelings, or unfaithfulness to promises of constancy,
jealousy is not the remedy. What the remedy is I need not say--we both of
us have it in our hands. I am sure you will agree with me that we must come
to some understanding by which the future shall be governed. Neither you
nor I can bear a divided allegiance. Believe me that I write more in sorrow
than in anger. You have made me very unhappy, and perhaps thoughtlessly.
But it will take much to reassure me of your unaltered regard.
Yours truly,
EMMA.
* * * * *
{48}
[Illustration: MODESTY.
ACT NATURAL AND SPEAK WELL OF ALL PEOPLE.]
* * * * *
{49}
Hints and Helps on Good Behavior at all Times and at all Places.
[Illustration: THE HUMAN FACE, LIKE A FLOWER, SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.]
1. It takes acquaintance to found a noble esteem, but politeness prepares
the way. Indeed, as Montaigne says, Courtesy begets esteem at sight.
Urbanity is half of affability, and affability is a charm worth possessing.
2. A pleasing demeanor is often the scales by which the pagan weighs the
Christian. It is not virtue, but virtue inspires it. There are
circumstances in which it takes a great and strong soul to pass under the
little yoke of courtesy, but it is a passport to a greater soul standard.
3. Matthew Arnold says, "Conduct is three-fourths of character," and
Christian benignity draws the line for conduct. A high sense of rectitude,
a lowly soul, with a pure and kind {50} heart are elements of nobility
which will work out in the life of a human being at home--everywhere.
"Private refinement makes public gentility."
4. If you would conciliate the favor of men, rule your resentment. Remember
that if you permit revenge or malice to occupy your soul, you are ruined.
5. Cultivate a happy temper; banish the blues; a cheerful saguine spirit
begets cheer and hope.