The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-02-01
MistrllanronG.
DETERMINED TO GET MARRIED.

NhN -
Miss Penelope sat in her comfortable sitt-
ing-room, with her feet upon the fender
Everything about her looked neat and cheer
ful. In one corner of the room stood pi-
ano, but it was shut, and had been all day
l-Penelope had no disposition to play
Why should she? there was no one to play
to. If now she had a husband
1t was upon this very point that Miss
Penelope was meditating.
The fact was, Penelope Penrose wanted
but six months of being thirty, and no one
had yet made her proposal. 1t was rath-
er singular that it should be so. Penelope
was good looking, had received good cdu-
cation; she was also skilled in music, had
a good temper, and | verify believe would
make husband happy. But such things
can't be accounted for. She had seen the
most uncomprOmising OF her companions,
even to ugly little Miss Henderson, with not
an accomplishment in the world, and more
over, with face pitted with small pox,
married IN quick succession, and yet there
she sat, on that cloudy morning in Decem-
Der, a devotee to single blesscdno's, and like
ly to remain so.
Was there ever woman who did not con-
slider married life preferable to single one,
provided she could secure the right compan-
ion? Ibelieve not.
To revert to Miss Penelope. In addition
to other specified attractions, she owned the
neat cottage which she occupied, and suli-
cient sum in funds, to live upon with COM
fort and elegance. Surely all the beaux
must have been blind.
Something must be done, and that quick
ly,' said Miss Penelope, as the thought oI
her approaching thirtieth birthday came
with startling force to her mind yes,
something must be done. But what? That
is the question. Such is the state of society
that woman is hcmmed ON all sides. She
has not even the privilege of choosing hcr
companion for life, but must wait mcckly
till somo one comes along, and take him OF
nobody. It's wrong, decidedly wrong
Miss Penelope was in a suitable frame OF
mind at that moment, to become an advo-
cate of woman's rights.
Meanwhile il was growing dark, and Mis-:
Penelope rung the bell.
That will do, Sally-you may 60 she
said.
sPenelope looked first at the Marriages
it was no more naturl-then at the deaths
Finding that none Of her acquaintance hat
committed either one or the other, she turn
cd TO the advertisements. Ono in particu
lar arrested her attention and We will lool
over her shoulder Us she reads:
To HOusckccpes. Tho undersigned is
dcsirOus of securing the services of COM
petent housekcepers to take charge of an O.
ablishment. AS he keeps two servants her
chief duty viii DO to superintcnd and pre-
side ut the table. Early application is de
siablc. GREGORY MCKm.'
Gregory NIcKim,' solilOquircd Miss Pen
elOpe. | remember to have heard Of hin
as bachelor, inheriting largo fortun
from his father. suppose he must b
about thirty-iive by this time. wonde
whether, suppOsins were to apply. JUS
for the joke of the thing, he would give m,
the situation
IL was new idea, and tho novelty Of i
struck her 50 favorably, especially as sh'
had become heartily tired of her present
mode of life, that after little consideration
she determined to carry out her plan, am
If successful in her application, to retain
the situation month or two.
The next morning very early, Miss Pcne
lopc summoned her obedient handmaiden.
sally said she, am thinking of 90
ING out of town for month or two, am
during that time shall close up the house,
If you have friends you would visit, yo'
are at liberty to do so. Your wages, how
ever, are 10 he continued as usual, and yo'
will let me know wherever you go, in ordc
that may call upon you, il should re
turn unexpectedly.
Tho proposal suited very we'll with sally
inclinations, as will readily be believed, an'
though she was at loss to conceive wha
had at once son. such home body as he
mistress on travelling expedition, shc wa
well disposed to take advantage of it,
Eleven o'clock found Mis- PenelOpe in tn