True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-07-22
9 &atBeIor's Xesson.
T H E B A R G A I N
by A. L. OTIS.

Miss Kate Bartlett. (pretty, and seven
teen years of age, sat at the window of
her own little cottage, sewing and look.
ing out upon the "snmmer's gay bloom"
of her garden. She was picture of con
tentment.
Her friend Anne Wilbank opened the
gate, and was received at the door with
open arms, by the delighted Kate.
They gosipped pleasantly awhile, and
then Anne said kate if | were you,
wouId SET my cap for Mr.. Bandon."
What ! For my dear old guardy 2"
"Why not He is not over forty, and
quite handsome. He is, besides. welI-to-
do in the world, and right sensible What
would become of you, poor girl, with no
klth nor kin Of your own, if your poor
paIsied Aunt Bess should die you
couldn't live here all alone"
"No-- but yet Guardy Blandon is more
like an uncle. never thought of him as
husband"
Sci about it then, Kate. Better be
an old man darling than young mans
slave is a scrape of time .hallowed wis
dom; you know folks say | am com.
mon sense sort of person, prudent and
pra ctlcal. Now think he will make you
happy"
"Anne-romance quietly laid on the
shelf do suppose he would be what
folks would call 'eIigible, but somehow |
revolt at setting my cap"
"Well, then let matters alone, for !
know Mr.. Blandon is very fond of you,
and fancy it won't be long before he
tells you so. And if he dues ask you.
don't he so foolish as to say no to such
fine fellow"
"But you don't know that he cares a
pin for me-"
II am not given to Airts of fancy, and
really think So"
She then expaliated upon the delight
of having some one always at her feet
who would pet her, and adore her, and
find his whole world in her own little
conscious self. Then she took her de.
parlu,e.
Kate sat in pleasant reverie, thinking
on Mr. BIandon's long-tried kindness to
her, and that perhaps it ment more than
friendship. The twilight frightened with
the young moon, and as she pondered,
Kates faith in Mr.. Blandon's love grew
vivid.
The object of her dreams interrupted
them, by his actual presence. He walk
ed up the garden path, and was soon
seated by her side. He was gay, fash.
ionabe old bachelor, much at home in
this little room; so much that he was
quite unceremonious, and talked or was
silent as it pleased him. Generally there
was flow of lively nonsense. Tonight
how Kate could not keep it up, and
they sat in silence.
Aunt bess came in, and was com
forlabv established in her easy chair
Mr.. Blandon then turned to Kate. "Comt
Kate talk to me /; you know come here
from the busy, hateful, weary world, tc
my heaven of rest, and peace, and pleas
ant company"
This might be the exageiation Of play
full fattery, or it might be the yearnln@
sigh of a lovers soul II was too dar!
TO read the expression of Mr.. Blandon'l
free, and to Kate's prepossessed mind i
was the latter. Same was right" sh'
thought this came from some chIdisl
pique, and quite sorry TO have any feel
ing but one of peace and pleasure jus
then, he threw much warmth into hi
tone as he said
Katie, child, why are you so silen
tonight ? have not dispIeased you il
any way, have | ! l should be sorry t,
have done so, very sorry for love yo'
dearly, you know it very we'll Come
now, say that you too love the old fellow
"a little hit. l know you do, hut jus
make me happy tonight by saying SO.
Il was only meant for affeciionate non
sense as from an uncle to niece. Kat
mistook, and her fearful, agita,ed repl.
let Mr.. Blandon know it. Aunt Bess
unconscious of what was going on, her
called for aid in rising, Kate FASTENED +
her, and Mr.. Blandon stepped into tn
garden, to collect his wits.
"Whew J" he softly whistled, "whs
have | been, and gone, and done 2 POP
ped The question by mistake, eh VIII;
shall do can't stand married life
No more pleasant evenings at my club
no more boundless cases, without an
one to bother me. My room, too, litter
ed up with woman's odds and ends
curle.popers slippers--bah Bn, she
tidy little thing quiet, too, and sens
BILE, or more sensible than women genel
ally are; kind.heared, and neat hande
very fond Of me, TOO. That new laur
dress of mine never sews my buttons OF
When | had the cholera. the drunke
old nurse almost poisoned me. | haV
attacks Of rheumetism now and then, o
tener than used 10, and whenever ! al