Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-04-26
New Series.

person OF wealthy and eccentric old bache
or, who after withstanding the assaults o
thousands of bright eyes and bewitchinr
smiles, had laid his hand OF the feet Of The
beautiful heroine. We don't blame the old
fellow for falling in love with her, any more
than we blame Sarah for laughing at him when
he threw himself al her feet and popped the
question"
Mr.. Ladyke Somerset was not an i'll look
ing man, though he was an old bachelor
True, his hair was not as black and glossy
as it had been twenty years before; there was
an occasional iron gray hair, which looked a
little suspicious, yet when he began 10 make
his court 10 the divinity of his dreams, even
this disappeared, and the people were mali
cious enough 10 say it was through the influ-
uence OF certain compound applied by the
barber. True, also, there was now and then
a wrinkle in his face, which some young ladies
fleet 10 dislike.
But what of all these things' Old age is
honorable, ard the iron grey hair and wrink-
les did not in the least mar the kindly express
sion OF his phiz.
He was n very clever fellow, and tho the
merry little Sarah Whiting could not help
laughing when he popped The question 10 her,
she would very Willingly have had just such
an article, or something of that sort. In short,
she liked him, but she did not love him.
Mr.. Ladyke Somerset was firm believer in
the ancient verify, that faint heart ne er won
fair lady, and he determined not to faint OF
give up the chase till he had bagged the game,
or had seen her the wife of another. ConSe.
lquently, he held out all the inducements ir
his power 10 engage her heart in his favor.
He was not what young ladies call an oli
fool, for he had sense enough TO feel that he
never could gain the victory on the strength
lof his physical attributes-hiS personal 5eauty
But he was an amiable man 3t heart, ani
trusted solely 10 the influence of his mora
md mental qualities for success. They hat
thus fer failed him, though he still perSevered
Mr.. Whiting. readily understanding wha
these attentions meant, did all in his powe
TO favor his suit; for he was an old fashioned
man, ard placed more confidence in the pow
er of a good heart and plenty Of money, +
make his daughter happy, than he did in th
more common attributes Of youth and goo
looks, even though the posseSsor Of the first
named commodities had passed the merida
of life.
But Sarah had mind Of her own in thes
matters, and though she appreciated her kin
fathers motive, she could not think Of throw
inc herself away on man Of forty, II he va
an angel.
II was only in the afternoon OF the day pre-
ceding the conversation we have recorded, ,iha
Mr.. Somerset had paid her visit, and re
newed his protestatons of love TO her. Sh
; had told him for the twentieth time, ''no."
When she heard her father relate the pal
ticulars Of her embarrassment, the image {
Mr.. Somerset had involu ntarly preSente
itself to her mind. He was abundantly abl
to assist them in this emergency, and for th
love he bore he'll perhaps he would.
Blu, then if she applied to him, and he al
!oraed the necessary aid, she would be undt
J, Obligations 10 him, which she might find ver
u inconvenient 10 discharge.
III Ruin stared her father in the face. H
had said it was ruin and she was sure it was.
Il What right had she 10 be selfish and owe,
nice, when she had il in her power to ave
N the dreadful calamity. Her father was all
all 10 her, and though some are so sentmer
# tai as 10 sacrifice father, mother, home, ar
is friends !or lover, she would sacrifice do.
en- lovers for her father alone, 10 say nothir
I'd Of her mother, who was worth al least tW
~ dozen more.
Let not the reader suppose the pretty Sara
re did not love him upon whom she smled-sl
did; but her bump of veneration was bieg
Is than that other bump on the back of her hea
!. Her resolution was formed, and about Gle
n. en- o'clock the next day, she put on her boz
net and walked to the REVERE House whe
Mr.. Somerset boarded.