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172 than he received. Did Ik Marvel give embodiment to bachelor Thompson's reveries?

If there was any advantage in matrimony, Mr. Thompson's predecessor had that; for he was very much married and celebrated his golden wedding, in Richmond, after Mr. Thompson had been called to the Spirit land. When he was at the Charleston Hotel, he had not the least cause for complaint. But that may have been because he was in company with Mr. Win. Elliott and his two attractive daughters. Mr. Thompson, however, was willing to marry. The accomplished lady whose hand he tried to win married quite late a widower with several children. She is now an élite widow, with nothing but step-children, and is very highly esteemed. Mr. Thompson published an article on old bachelors, by F. W. Shelton.

But then Mr. Thompson could write poetry, which Minor could not, and if he ever attempted it, he had the good sense not to rush it into print. Mr. Thompson's poetry, too, has flashes of wit and ripples of pleasantry and humor. He was fond of epigrams, jeux d' esprit and even good puns; and of all these he published a goodly number. Mr. Minor ought to have offered the only thing from his pen which Mr. Thompson might have been likely to accept, an epitaph on a dog.