Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-09-10
vT..r,moD,aI stratagem or, How Two Households
Became One.

bor husband soap boiler IN very good circumstances,
called from his life task contributing to the general
;6c,tion of mankind Mrs. Benson took refuge from
her grief in pretty cottage, situated on the principal
At first she was inconsolable; and she used to say,
th solemn emphasis which carried conviction to the
t If her hearers that nothing but the thoughts of
her daughter Florence would have prevented her from
terminating her existence by the Intervention Of poison
Mrs Benson was in no small degree indebted to her
daughter-snce In less than tnree months she threw
aside her mourning and became as lively as ever.
Touching Florence she had now reached the mature
ape of nineteen and began to think herself manageable
She was quite pretty and tolerable well accomplished
50 that her wishes in that respect were very likely to
fulfilled
Just over the way lived Squire Markham the village
lawyer just verging upon fifty, with his son Charles,
who was about half his age. Being young man oil
agreeable exterior the latter quite favorite with
the young ladies in the neghborhood and considered in
common parance quite a CATCH
As vet however his affections had never been serious
" entanged and might have remained so, had it not
been for the sudden apparton morning. OF Florence
.Renson, riding by on horseback.
It struck him at that she remarkably grace
full and really quite pretty. Thereupon, he cultivated
her acquaintance with increased assduity and after al
while asked the fatal question.
Florence answered in the affirmative, and instead OF
referring him duully to her mother, limited (belng ro
mantle young LADY, how charming it would be to steal
away to the next town and get married without anybody
being the wiser.
Charles Markham caught at the hint, which chmed
with his temperament and he resolved to adopt it.
In order that might be carried out with perfect
cess it resolved to Indifferent to each other
til the day fixed, in order to ward off any suspicion
which might otherwise be reused.
So well were these arrangements carried out that
Mrs. Benson had no suspicion of what was going on.
Not so with Squire Markham. He had obtained
clue to the affair in some manner that he not only
discovered the fact of the eopemen but the very
day on which it was to occur.
Sly dog that Charles" thought he to himself, as he
sat down before the fire in his dressing gown and smok
ing cap, eisurely pulling away at a choice Havana
But don't wonder at it; he only takes after me-
Still owe him something for keeping it secretly from
me- 1t would be good joke, if were little younger
to cut him out, and marry her in spite of him."
Squire Markham, who was one of those jovial widow
ers who take life as it comes, unused more and more
this idea, stuck out by chance it were, till he really
began to think it worth something.
HAfter ALL" shouted he, " en- not so old either or
at least the ladies say soand they ought to be good
Judges ir such matters. have been bachelor good
WHILE and ought to have found out before this how much
more comfortable it would be to have pretty wife to
welcome me home, and do the honors of my table, and
to help me keep that rascal Charles in order. Egad
I've half mind to do it."
Squire Markham took two more whiffs and exclaimed
II VOW Til do it,
What this mysterious IT was, will leave the read
ers to infer from his very next movement Ringing the
bell he inquired of the servant:
{" Is Charles at hOme?"
No sir" was the reply, he went out this morning,
and will be gone all day."
Humph thatll do. So much the better for my
purposes" thought he, when alone.
Now shall have the ground left to myself Let me
see the rascal intends to away next Thursday eve
ming and to-day is Monday. Nothing like striking
while the iron is hot. I'll write to her in his name tell
ing her that have altered my mind, and will go just at
dark tomorrow night. She won't suspect anything
til the knot is tied and then what laugh shall have
little difference with the bride expectant. He consid-
cred it capital joke his son, but looked no further.
He accordingly drew his writing materials towards him,
and indited the following epistle
&" Dearest Florence Il find the day fixed for our
elopement on some accounts Objectionable and would
like, with your PERMISSION to substitute tomorrow eve
ming. III hear nothing from you shall infer that you
assent to this arrangement. shall have carriage in
readiness under the old oak tree at half past eight o.
clock You walk there without attracting suspicion,
and there will be no moon, shall be able to car
ry out plans without fear of discovery. I am
happy to say that the Governor doesn't suspect in
the least that daughter-inaw is in store for him.
Won't he be ashamed?
your devoted CHARLEY"
"Egad," said Squire Markham, laughing heartily
that isn't bad especially about humbugging me-
Charley couldn't have done any better himself"
So saying he sealed it up and sent it over by little
Irish boy in his employment having first markell pr
vate in the corner.
I" Be careful Mike, to give it to Miss Benson, and
don't let any else it, the parting injunction
Mrs. Benson Lsting:in her quiet paror, casting
her eyes late number of the Atlantic Monthly
Florence being absent on shopping excursion, she was
left alone The ringing of the bell brought her to the
door, With surprise she that the person who rang
the bell was Mike, Squire Markhams boy of all work
Please ma am" said he, holding out the mssive
letter for Miss Benson, an it's very particular that
nobody else should see it."
The air Of mystery conveyed in this characteristic adj
dress aroused Mrs. BensOns curiosity especially wher
she observed that it addressed to her daughter anC
not to herself she supposed She returned to tht
parlor-not to read the Magazine that had lost its at
fractions.
What in the world can it be?" she thought, thai
they should be secret about it? Can Florence be
carrying on clandestine correspondence? It may be
something that ought to know
Stimulated by her feminine curiosity, Mrs. Benson
speedily conuded that she would be false to the respon
Sbtes of parent if she did not unravel the mystery
Here's pretty doing y! she exclaimed, as soon as she
could recover breath. $50 Florence was going to rur
away and get married to that Charles Markham with
out so much as limiting word to me-"
She leaned her head upon her hand and began t.
consider. She naturally led to think of her OWL
marriage with the late Mr.. Benson and the happiness
of her welded life, and she could not help heavng sgE
at the recollection
"Am always to remain thus solitary" she thought
I've half mind not to show the letter to Florence
but to away with Charles tomorrow night m,
own account It's odd if can't persuade him that tn
mother amt as good as the daughter and she gance
cOmpIacenty at the still attractive face from tn
mirror.
Just then she heard the door open and Florence en-
tered She quickly crumpled up the letter. and thrus
it into her pocket Florence and Charles did not NEE
during the succeeding day, chiefly in pursuance of tn
plan they agreed to, in order to avoid suspicion.
Squire Markham acted in exceedingly strang
IL. a.