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I am in receipt of your note, and must confess that I am surprised at your request. I am entirely opposed to commencing, on general principles, an acquaintance with such an întroduction and consider it very improper, especially to allow it to originate in church during the hours of divine service. Were it not that I think your meaning kind and your intentions good, I would return your letter unanswered. As it is, I will take your request under consideration, and, if I think best to grant it, you may know of the fact by my recognition at the close of the service in the Sabbath school.

Respectfully,

AMELIA HENDERSON.

It is clearly evident, therefore, that she should not give her name and address as requested; and yet, as the advertisement may refer to a business matter of importance, or bring about an acquaintance that she will not regret, she may relieve her curiosity on the subject by writing the following note in reply:

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It is useless to advise people never to reply to a personal advertisement like the above. To do so is like totally refusing young people the privilege of dancing. People will dance, and they will answer personal advertisements. The best course, therefore, is to properly direct the dancers, and caution the writers in their answers to newspaper personals. If the eye of the young lady referred to meets the above advertisement, she will possibly be indignant at first, and will, perhaps, resolve to pay no attention to it. It will continue to occupy her attention so much, however, and curiosity will become so great, that, in order to ease her mind, she will at last give her address; in which case she makes a very serious mistake; as any lady replying to a communication of such a character, giving her name and residence to a stranger, places herself to great disadvantage. Should her communication never be answered, she will feel mortified ever afterwards, that she committed the indiscretion of replying to the advertisement at all; and should the person she addresses prove to be some worthless fellow who may presume to press an acquaintance upon the strength of her reply, it may cause her very serious perplexity and embarrassment.

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It is probable that the advertiser, if a gentleman, will reply, giving his reasons for requesting the lady's address, with references, upon receiving which, the lady will do as she may choose relative to continuing the correspondence; in either case, it will be seen that she has in no wise compromised her dignity, and she retains the advantage of knowing the motive and object that prompted the advertisement, while she is yet unknown to the advertiser.

Great caution should be exercised in answering personals. The supposition is, if the advertiser be a gentleman, that he will honorably seek an interview with a lady, and pay court as gentlemen ordinarily do. Still, an occasion may happen to a man, who is in the highest sense a gentleman, wherein he sees the lady that he very greatly admires, and can learn her address in no other way without rendering himself offensive and impertinent; hence, the apparent necessity of the above personal advertisement.

Instances have also occurred where gentlemen, driven with business, and having but little time to mingle in female society, or no opportunity, being strangers comparatively, desirous of forming the acquaintance of ladies, have honestly advertised for correspondence, been honestly answered, and marriage was the result.

Those advertisements, however, wherein Sammy Brown and Coney Smith advertise for

correspondence with any number of young ladies, for fun, mutual improvement, "and what may grow out of it, photographs exchanged," etc., young ladies should be very wary of answering. Instances have been known where scores of young ladies, having answered such an advertisement, could they have looked in upon those young men, a week afterwards, would have seen them with a pile of photographs and letters, exhibiting them to their companions, and making fun of the girls who had been so foolish as to answer their advertisement.

It is true that no one but the meanest kind of a rascal would be guilty of such a disgraceful act as to advertise for and expose correspondence thus, and it is equally true that the young lady who gives the advertiser the opportunity to ridicule her shows herself to be very foolish.

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I am led to suppose, from the reading of the above, that it is dictated in sincerity, by a desire to meet with a lady who would be treated with candor and respect. I have at present no acquaintance to whom I am inclined to give a very decided preference, nor have I ever had any very distinct ideas on the subject of marriage. I am free, however, to confess that, should circumstances favor my acquaintance with a gentleman whom I could honor and respect, I might seriously think of a proposal. Believing that you wish, as you intimate, tbis letter in confidence, I will say that I am - years old, am in receipt of annually, from property that is leased. I have been told that I was handsome, though others, probably, have a different opinion. Of that fact, you must be the judge. I am entirely free to select whomsoever I may choose. My social standing, I trust, would be satisfactory, and my accomplishments have not been neglected. It is not necessary that I should write more. I shall be happy to correspond with you with a view to better acquaintance, when, if mutually agreeable, an introduction may take place. You desire me to send name, address, and photograph, which, I trust you will perceive, would be improper for me to do. It is due to myself, and, under certain circumstances, to you, that I should be very guarded as to the manner of my introduction. A letter addressed to M. A. L., Station A, Post Office, will reach me.

I sign a fictitious name, for obvious reasons.

Respectfully,

NANCY HILLIS.

A Gentleman makes a Frank Acknowledgment.— Gushing with Sentiment, and Running over with Poetry.

WHITE MOUNTAINS, N. H., Oct. 1, 18—.

MY DEAR MARY: One by one the brown leaves are falling, reminding us that the golden summer that we have so delightfully loitered through approaches its close. How thickly our pathway has been strewn with roses; how fragrant have been the million blossoms; how sweetly the birds have sung; how beautiful have been the sunny days; how joyous have been the starry nights! Dear M., I do not need to tell you that this delightful summer has been to me one grand elysian scene. I have gazed on, and dreamed of thy beauty. I have been fed by thy sparkling repartee and merriment; I have drank at the fountain of thy intellectuality; but the feast is ended, and gradually the curtain is falling. Dear, beautiful summer! So beautiful to me, because of thy loved presence. And standing now on the threshold of a scene all changed, I take a last, fond, long, lingering look on the beautiful picture that will return to me no more; and yet who knows, but on in that great eternity we may live again these Eden hours.

"Like a Foundling in slumber, the summer day lay On the crimsoning threshold of Even,

And I thought that the glow through the azure-arched way,

Was a glimpse of the coming of Heaven.

There together we sat by the beautiful stream;

We had nothing to do but to love and to dream

In the days, that have gone on before.

These are not the same days, though they bear the same name, With the ones I shall welcome no more.

But it may be the angels are culling them o'er,
For a Sabbath and Summer forever,

When the years shall forget the Decembers they wore,
And the shroud shall be woven, no, never!

In a twilight like that, darling M. for a bride,

Oh! what more of the world could one wish beside,

As we gazed on the river unroll'd

Till we heard, or we fancied, its musical tide, Where it flowed through the Gate-way of Gold?"

Dearest, you must forgive my ardent expressions in this letter. With a temperament gushing to the brim and overflowing with sentiment and rhapsody, I have passed the fleeting summer in thy charming presence, in one continual dream of poesy. I cannot now turn back to the solemn duties before me, without telling you what trembled on my tongue a thousand times, as we gathered flowers together and wove our chaplets in the sunny days gone by. Dear, darling Mary, I love you, I adore you. How often in the beautiful moonlight nights, as we strolled among the lilacs and the primroses, have I been on the verge of clasping your jeweled hand and telling you all my heart. But, Oh! I did not quite dare; the hours were so delightful, even as they were. Fearing that I might be repulsed, I chose to accept the joy even that there was, rather than run the risk of losing it all.

How many a morning, have I arisen and firmly resolved, that, ere another day, I would know my fate! But ah! the twilight would fall, and the evening hour would pass by, and I never completely dared to risk the result of a declaration. The morrow I knew would be joyous if I bridled my impulse; it might not be if I made a mistake. But the dream has passed by. To-morrow, I bid adien to these sylvan groves, the quiet meadows, and the gurgling brooks, to go back to the prose duties of business. And now, at the close of this festal season, as I am upon the verge of going, having nothing to lose and everything to gain, I have told you my heart. I have not the slighest idea what your reply will be. You have been to me one continual puzzle. If your answer is adverse, I can only entertain the highest respect for you ever in the future; and memory shall keep alive the recollection of the most blissful summer I have ever known. If your reply is favorable-dearest, may I fondly hope that it will be! -then opens before me a great volume of happiness, of which this joyous summer has been but the opening chapter.

Dear M., may I come again and see you, and address you henceforth as a lover? The messenger that brings you this, will return again in an hour for your answer. I need not tell you what an hour of suspense this will be to me. Upon your reply hangs my future. If your reply is favorable, I shall tarry another day, and will

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I shall not attempt, in this, to answer your missive with the same poetic fervor that colors your letter from beginning to end. While it is given you to tread the emerald pavements of an imaginative Eden, in my plainer nature, I can only walk the common earth.

I fully agree with you in your opinion of the beautiful summer, just passed. Though in seasons heretofore many people have been here from the cities, I have never known a summer so delightful. Yes, Clarence, these three months have been joyous, because-shall I confess it-because you have been here. I need not write more. You have agreed to stay another day; I shall be at home this afternoon, at two o'clock, and will be happy to see you.

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Your note accusing me of coldness is before me. After spending several hours in a consideration of this subject, to determine what is my duty, I have concluded that it is decidedly best for me to be perfectly frank with you,

and give my reasons for a change of sentiment. I do not think we could live happily together if we were married, because, from disparaging remarks I have heard you make concerning people that are not wealthy, I think you would be entirely dissatisfied with my circumstances; and the further fact that you allow your mother to do all the drudgery of the household, you sitting in the parlor entertaining gentlemen and affecting to have no knowledge of housekeeping, is proof that our tastes would not accord in home matters. I consider it just as honorable, and just as important, that young ladies should do something to support themselves as that young men should. If the opportunities are not as great for them to go abroad, they can, at least while at home, learn to be good in sewing, cooking, and housekeeping, and thus be prepared when opportunities offer, to make prudent, economical, tidy housewives. I do not under-value the importance of being proficient in the lighter accomplishments which go to make a lady at ease in society; but I vastly more prize

the lady who knows how to get an excellent breakfast early in the morning, who is not only a model of neatness herself, but relieves her mother in household duties, keeping her younger brothers and sisters clean and orderly.

I have admired and loved you for your musical talent, and your fine conversational powers, but as I could not keep the necessary servants to enable you constantly to gratify those talents to the exclusion of the more substantial duties, I feel that our marriage would be a mistake for both of us.

You asked my reason for my changing love, I have reluctantly, yet plainly, stated it. Hoping however, that you may always be happy in life, I am,

Your Friend,

CLINTON HOLMES.

Reply to a Young Man addicted to Intemperance.

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I returned yesterday, from a brief trip into Canada, my journey being most agreeable, only one little episode breaking the monotony, as I neared home, which was this: in the next seat behind me in the car sat a young couple who were evidently regretting that their ride was so near an end. Though buried in my reading, I could not avoid hearing much that they said. One question asked by the young man made a striking impression on my mind. Maggie," said he, "we have now been acquainted a good while; you know me, and I know you. I do not need to tell you that I love you with all my heart; now do you love me?"

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I knew the young fellow had taken that occasion, when the cars were thundering along, so that he might not be knocked down by the beating of his own heart. I confess to have been guilty of eavesdropping then. I listened intently for the lady's answer, but just at that moment, as my ill luck would have it, another train came thundering by us, and her voice was drowned in the noise. I got to thinking like this suppose you and I were riding thus, and I should ask precisely the same question; what would be your reply? I am very curious to know what your answer would be, and shall await a letter from you, with much anxiety.

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ST., Dec. 10, 18-.

DEAREST BERTHA: I have intended, O how many times! when we have been together, to put the simple question which I intend this note shall ask; but although apparently a very easy matter to ask the hand in marriage of one I so deeply love as yourself, it is no easy task. I therefore write what I have never found courage in my heart to speak. Dearest, will you bestow upon me the great happiness of permitting me to call you mine? If I have spoken this too boldly, you will forgive; but I fondly hope that you will not be indifferent to my appeal. I trust, if you answer this in the affirmative, that you will never regret doing so. Anxiously awaiting your answer, I remain, Yours Affectionately,

HARLAN DEMPSTER.

Letter from a Young Man who Proposes Marriage and

DEAR CLARA:

Emigration.

482

ST., April 16, 18-. You have doubtless heard of my intention to go West in the coming month. Though surrounded here with my relatives and all the many friends of my boyhood, I have an intense desire to try my fortune amid new scenes, feeling that the fetters that now bind me and seem to hinder my upward progress, will then be broken.

I shall sunder my ties with some regrets, but to commence my business career as I am desirous of doing, I must make the sacrifice; in doing so, I do no more than thousands have done before me. In the great broad fields of the growing West, a young man of resolution, ambition, honesty, temperance, and perseverance cannot fail, I believe, to better his condition much more rapidly than he can here; you will, I think, coincide with me in this opinion.

Dear Clara, of all my farewells, none will be so sad to me as that I shall bid to you. Dear, dear Clara, you cannot be indifferent to the fact that I have long devotedly loved you; and, at the hour of parting, I feel that I cannot go without telling you my heart, and asking you if I may not have your love in return. And now, while I am asking, will you not take me with my heart, and in turn allow me to be your protector through life?

Dearest, I am going to press my suit still further. Will you not be mine before I go, and accompany me on my journey? I know this is asking a great deal of you. To accept of this proposition is to take you from a home of affluence, where you are surrounded with every desired comfort. I have no right to ask the sacrifice; and yet I have resolved to make bold before I go, and tell you all. If you accept my offer and will consent to cast your fortunes with me out in the great Sea of the Hereafter, I can assure you that no trouble or sorrow will come to you through me, and that, as you will be my dear, dear companion and sacred trust, so will I be to you all that lover and husband can be.

Now, dearest, if you will accept my future as your own, and place yourself by my side, accepting the sorrow and partaking of the joy that is in store for me, you will make me the happiest of men. If you assent, God grant that you may never regret your faith. Do not decide the question hastily. The sacrifice is such, in leaving home and kindred, that you may not accept of my proposal even though you love. When you have fully determined, however, please send the answer, which I shall most anxiously await. Ever dear Clara, Your Affectionate,

HENRY ADAMS.

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I can make a reply to your candid question at once. I do not need to deliberate upon it long. I love you; I confide in you. I will trust you; I will go with you; I will accept the love and the future you offer. You may have many joys; you may experience some sorrows. I will share and bear them all with you, trusting that patient, earnest, willing effort may crown our labors with success. Believing that God will guide and prosper us, I can only add, hoping to see you soon, that I am Ever Yours,

CLARA DUNHAM.

Wedding Cards Invitations.

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WEDDING CARDS.

F the lady who marries resides with her parents, with relatives, guardians, or friends, and the marriage receives the approval of those parties, the ceremony usually takes place at the residence of the bride, or at the church where she generally attends; a reception being held at her residence soon afterwards or upon the return from the bridal tour.

Some parties prefer to marry very quietly, having but few guests at the wedding. Others make more elaborate display, and observe the time as an occasion of general rejoicing. Where many guests are invited, it is customary to issue notes of invitation to those persons whose attendance is desired, accompanied by wedding cards bearing the name of the bride and groom. The form of wording such notes and cards has changed but little for several years, though the style in which such wording appears, changes frequently.

Two methods are pursued in preparing the invitations and cards: one being to have them neatly printed from type; the other, and more expensive manner, is to have them engraved and printed in the metropolis, by a card-engraver, who makes an exclusive business of preparing such cards.

The later style for cards and notes of invitation is to have the most of the wording in a light script, upon very fine, white, billet paper, and the cards upon thin bristol-board, sometimes long, and frequently nearly square, according to fancy.

The following cards and notes of invitation, while expressing the suitable wording, do not,

in all cases, represent the size of the card or note of invitation. They are of various sizes, according to fancy, and generally a little larger than here illustrated.

In sending the note of invitation, it is custoinary to inclose the cards in the same envelope. In cases where no guests are invited, yet it is desired to inform the acquaintances throughout the country of the marriage, it is usual to inclose the cards alone. Formerly, it was common to use but one card, having Mr. & Mrs. Chas. H. Smith in the center of the card, while the lady's maiden name was placed upon the lower left-hand corner. Of late, it is regarded more in style to use two cards, one considerably larger than the other; the larger bearing the names, Mr. & Mrs. Chas. H. Smith, the smaller, the lady's name alone, thus:

Mr. & Mrs. Chas. T. Smith.

Hattie M. Magnard.

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