{"character_count": 5893, "word_count": 1021, "ccnet_language_score": [0.9839000105857849], "ccnet_perplexity": [1326.300048828125], "fasttext_language": ["en"]}
dy was no widow, and was yet single; that her
parents, who had been able to give her decenl
education were both dead; that she had compe-
tency to keep her above want and had volunteered
to accompany her friends to America, It beng
their intention to settle somewhere in the u States
as farmers.


"I have hitherto only known the young wo-
man by the name of Selma" said Anderson
"Have you any objection to tell me her other
nameP


ONames," replied Mr.. Williamson, care of lit
tie consequence We call her Selma only, and
she likes her friends to call her by no other
The very word Miss is i'll applied" The con;
versation then turned on some other subject, ana
the travellers on their arrival separated to their
respective lodgings. Anderson, indulging in sage
reflection, made up his mind to propose marriage
without further prelude on his return to West
Point


Being welcomed by the lady with unfeigned
pleasure, he easily found an opportunity the same
day. He intimated that it would naturally be ex-
pected he should give some account of himself;
he was therefore ready to furnish references to
persons Of the first responsibility in New York;
but suppIicated that due diligence should be used,
that his happiness might not be delayed Selma
did not hang down her head, look sheepish, or
answer evasively, as many silly women think 1t
pretty to do on such occasions She replied hon.
estly, that the encouragement she had thought Ii
not improper to give Capt Anderson must have
assured him that the proposed union would not be
rejected. She supposed, she added, that recipro
city must be expected of her, and she lamented it,
should he insist on its necessity Il ask but your
name" interrupted Anderson 'and that you say if
you are indeed related to these good peoplep
: ssYou may well say 'good,' she replied sthey
are truly most worthy couple who for their ex-
cellence have chosen as guardians and conflden-
tial friends; but we are not indeed related and
am an orphan. You, Capt. Anderson, l should
have taken without inquiry who you are, other
than what my own penetration has found you to
be- or what you may be beyond what | believe
you, man of honor and merit. That am not
destitute is all that shall declare the expectation
of support in marriage l need not contemplate.
What l am in other respects you have had sufti-
cient opportunity to discover" Farther than this,
the lady would not, if she could give reference
"Family names" she continued, 'avail nothing in
my case. What mine is may only be of use to at
test my faith at the altar; but elsewhere would 1
decline divuging it in this country"


Something in the shape of interrogation was
suggested, to what might be the desire as to flu
ture residence So wise was the lady's remarks
as to the propriety of '1eaving weighty matters to
be settled when occasion should call them up"
that no more was urged on the subject


The parties returned to the hotel, of one accord
in all things. A most amicable understanding
subsisted between them, which resulted in de-
termination to marry on given day near at hand.
The Captain himself thought proper to commune
cate his design in a despatch by mailto an intim-
ate friend in the city, in words something to this
effect 'When least looked for, my dear friend,
have found that which have fastidiously been
seeking many years Repair by Fridays boat to
the Military Academy at West Point. You will
Just be in time to witness contract of which |
am not ashamed, although ally myselfto name
less orphan, without other attractions than striking
sense and unpretending simplicity"


Friday came, and on the boats appearance
Capt Anderson, habited no otherwise than usual
presented himself at the landing place, and smil-
ingly extended his hand to his expected friend
Opportunity for explanation was cut off, as several
passengers were ascending the hill at the same
time, and the conversation became general. Two
gentlemen in particular addressed themselves oc-
casionally to the Captains friend, though it evi
IDENTIFY appeared that they were but acquaintances
of the moment.


':Joseph," inquired Anderson, ''when at suita-
bic distance, "who are those persons2" There
is something in their appearance superior to the
ordinary class of travelling gentlemen"


II know nothing farther" replied his friend,
''than that they are English gentlemen of rank
as those liveried servants take their orders
They have been quite socable with me on the
way up, and I understood one of them to say
that they expected to meet an acquaintance at the
hotel" r%


Very short was the conversation on the imme-
diate subject of the meeting, as they had now
reached the house. The Captain left his friend to
his own Imagination, and went to join his betroth
ed Not many minutes afterwards, the young
woman, hanging on the arm of the supposed uncle,
whose inseparable companion was at his side,
made her appearance, being no more gaily attired
than usual, and with graceful wave ofthe hand
pleasantly remarking 1--WE ought not Capt Ander-
son, to keep the Rev. Chaplain waiting-our hour
is comel" And she moved on to the parlor


'Joseph" said the Captain, 81 see must post
pone formal introduction; but how are you i'm
pressed at the first glance2 Do not imagine her
a milk knaid or millener2 Nay, speak out, my
good fellow, L entreat you. On first acquaintance
thought no more highly of her myself"


Anderson" replied the other, 'the general
physiognomy bespealts anything but common; to
answer you, therefore, must use your own words;
there is something in her appea rance superior to
the ordinary class of travellers"


And now the assembled party were at the Chap
lains quarters anu were soon duly arranged
The Clergyman took his station, and gravely, in
a set speech, descanted on the divine origin and
duties of the married state. Among the lockers
on were the two English travellers: but as their