nuously and advantageously
carried out.

As I spoke, the paper in which they had been enveloped rustled down on
the floor by my side. I stooped, languidly, to pick it up, merely from a
sense of order, and my eye fell on a long column, headed "Wanted," and,
almost for lack of resolution to withdraw it, wandered down its
paragraphs, step by step.

It was a Democratic paper, such as was never patronized by
Evelyn--herself a zealous conservative in politics, as our father had
been before us--and, as I cared little for newspaper-reading, I had
never suggested a subscription to any sheet that she did not fancy,
although I inclined to democracy.

I was somewhat amused by the quaintness of some of the advertisements of
this sheet for the people, that style of literature being new to me; and
found myself smiling over the perfections set forth as necessary, by the
paragons of the earth, in both wife and servant, when I came to a dead
stand. Here was the very thing I should have selected, could I have
chosen my own destination instead of depending on _chance_ (as if,
indeed, there were such a thing _possible_ with God--the predestinator
of the universe), or necessity (is the name a much better one as applied
to the all-seeing Deity?), or fate (a more comprehensive but little
less-abused term, perhaps), to do this for me!

The advertisement ran thus, and quite fascinated me with its
eccentricity, as well as congeniality to my condition:

"A gentleman and lady, now sojourning for a short time at the Mansion
House, wish to employ, immediately, for the benefit of their children,
an instructress, who must be, _imprimis_, a lady--and young; secondly,
soundly constituted and well educated; thirdly, a good reader, and able
to teach elocution, and entertain a circle; fourthly, willing to reside
with cheerfulness on a Southern plantation; fifthly, content with a
moderate _modicum_ as salary. None other need apply--no references given
or asked. Inquire for _Somnus_."

I laid down the paper, and drew a long, free breath; then rang a peal of
merriment, startling under the circumstances. It was the first hearty
laugh that had left my lips for many days. "What an oddity, one or the
other of these people must be!" I thought, "the man most probably--yes,
I am sure it is he--no woman ever was so independent of references, or
made youth a _sine qua non_, nor elocution either. But am I soundly
constituted? ay, there's the rub! suppose my terri