Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-08-28
MATRIMONIAL STRATAGEM;
Or, How Tive Households Became On,

good elrcumstances, was called from his life
ask Of contributing to the general purifcation
Of Ofmsnkind. Mrs. Benson took refuge from her
grief in pretty cottage, situated on the prin-
siual street in O.
At first she was .nconsolable; and she used
10 say, with solemn emphasis, which carried
conviction to the hearts Of her hearers that
nothing but the thoughts of her daughter
Florence would have prevented her from termi-
mating her existence by the Intervention of
poison.
Mrs. Benson was, in no small degree in
debted to her daughter-since in less than three
months she threw aside her mourning, and be-
came as lively ever.
Touching Florence, she had now reached the
mature age of nineteen, and began to think
herself manageable. She was quite pretty,
and tOlsrably we'll accomplished; so that her
wishsh that respect were very likely to be
tal6lld.
Just over the way lived Squire Markham,
the village lawyer, ustverging upon fifty, with
his son Charles, who was about half his age
Being young man of agreeable exterior, the
latter was quite favorite with the young
ladies in the neighborhood, and considered in
common parlance quite a " CATCH
As yet, however, his affections had never
been seriously entangled, and might have re-
NAMED 80, had il not been for the sudden ap-
partition, one morning, Of Florence Benson,
riding by on horseback.
1t struck him at once that she was remarka-
bly, graceful, and really quite pretty. There
upon, he cultivated her acquaintance with in
creased assiduity, and after q while asked the
fatal question.
instead ofreferring him dutifully to her mother,
hinted (being q romantic young LADY, how
charming IL would be to steal away to the next
town and get married, without anybody being
the wiser.
Charles Markham caught at the hint, which
chlmed with his own temperament, and he re-
solved to adopt it.
In order that it might be carried out with
perfect success, it was resolved to seem indif-
ferent to each other until the day fixed in order
10 ward of any suspicion which might other
wise be aroused.
so we'll were these arrangements carried out,
that Mrs. Benson had no suspicion of what was
going on.
Not so with Squire Markham He had OBJ
tanned clue to the affair in some manner so
that ne not only discovered the fact of the elope-
Inent, but even the very day on which it was to
occur
sly dog, that Charles" thought he to him.
sell, as he sat down before the fire in his dress
ing-gown and smoking-cap, leisurely putting
away at a choice Havana. "But don't won
der at il; he only takes after me. Still, owe
him something for keeping it so 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 ioyial
vidOwers who take life as it comes, mused more
and more on this idea, stuck out by chance as
1t were, till he really began to think it worth
something.
After all" shouted he, 60 am not so old
either, or at least the ladies say so-and they
ought to be good judges in such matters. /
have been bachelor a good while, and ought
to have found out before this how much more
comfortable il would be to have a pretty wife
70 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 whifs, and
exclaimed:
vow, I'll do it''
what this mysterious IT was, we will leave
the reader 10 infer from his very next move
ment. Ringing the bell, he inquired of the
servant:
Is Charles at home?n
No, sir, :" was the reply, O. he went out this
morning, and will be gone all day"
Humph. thatll do. 80 much the better
Tor my PURPOSES" thought he, when alone.
Now shall have the ground left to my yself.
Let me see; the rascal intends running away
next thursday evening, and to-day is Monday
HItUtning Ike striking while the iron is hot.
u write to her in his name, telling her that |
nave altered my mind, and will 90 just at dark
to-morrOw night. She won't suspect anything
until the knot is tied, and then what a laugh
We shall have"
Squire Markham did not consider that it
might make little difference with the bride
s4pectant- lie considered il q capital Joke on
MS son, but looked no further. He according
drew his writing materials towards him. and
indited the following epistle:
Dearest Florence l find the day fixed for
our elopement on some accounts Objectionable.
and would like, with your permission, to sub
stitute tomorrow evening. If hear nothing
from you, shall infer that you assent to this
arrangement. / shall have carriage in readi-
ness under the old oak tree at halt past eight
o'clock You can walk there without attract
ing suspicion, and as there will be no moon, we
shall De able to carry out our plans without
lear OF discovery. i am happy to say that the
Governor doesn't suspect in the least that a
daughter-in- law is in store for him Won't he
be ashamed
Your devoted CHARLEY."
"Egad!" said Squire Markham, laughing
heartily, d" that isn't bad; especially about
humbugging me. Charley couldn't have done
any better himself
80 saying, be sealed it up and sent it over by
little Irsh boy in his employment, having
hrst marked " private" in the corner
be careful, Nike, tOgive it to Miss Benson,
and don't let any any one else see it," was the
parting injunction.
Mrs Benson was sitting in her quiet parlor,
casting her eyes over a late number of Harper's
NiOhCO OcluS dDSeQI on slOI-
ping excursion, she was left alone. The ring
Ing Of the bell brought her to the door. With
surprise she saw that the person who rang the
oeil Was Mike, Squire Markham's I" boy Of all
Please, ma'am," said he, holding out the
missiye, . a letter for Miss Benson, an it's
very particular that nobody else should see it."
Inc AIR OF mystery conveyed in this charac-
.enstlc address aroused Mrs. Benso1's curiosi-
specially when she observed that it was
addressed 70 her daughter, and not to herself,
asne supposed. She returned to the paror-
~. ao' 70 read Harper's Magazine; that had lost
Ns attractions
80, what in the world can II be ," she thought,
r mat they should be so secret about it1 Can
Hfsnee be carrying on a clandestine CORES
.a'nlence 1t may be something that ought
Stimulated by her feminine curiosity, Mrs
tIhson speedily concluded that she would be
S.i .Gse TO the responsibilities Of parent if she
N'l not unravel the mystery.
4 - l.