The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1858-04-07

"Well, ladies, suppose 1 should take a
notion TO get married? You couldn't
blame me, | don't think. Here | am
with no housekeeper, and an Irish girl to
oversee things, and my home is none OF
the most orderly. Elmetta needs some
one to care for her, and it wouldn't be in
nature for a father to be unmindful of the
interests of his childw
"Why, no, of course not. But then, II
You needed housekeepcr, my Julia Ann
would come and look after things. She's
capital manager and very fond of chill
dren. She and Elmetta - sweet little
thing would get on admirably
eyes, or my Mary Elizabeth either
She'd be ticklcd to death to comet She
thinks so much of Squire Richards and
his little gal. And if I do say it, Mary
Elizabeth is as nice gal as there is any
where!'
'Mary Elizabcth's health is too feeble
for much exertion, Mrs. Wilkes; you
don't do right to put anything hard upon
her, you know she has pain in her side
half the timer Mrs. Hanson was deter
mined to have it understood that the hope
of the Wilkeses was only 40 ornament to
the world.
"Well,' said the squire, at last; 81
don't know what to think about it!
don't believe Elmetta would give up this
lady in pink, as you call her, at all she's
taken a wonderful liking to her"
"Where did she come from, squire {?
You hain't told US anything about her
yeti"
''ro be sure, Mrs. Wilkes. Well, ]
found her in milliner's shop in the city
Of Portsmouth"
'ln milliner's shop! then she's q mil
liner is she! Well, I never" e~
"Will you be kind enough to favor us
with an introduction / should be hap
Ply to SEQ her before | form an opinion Of
her character" Mrs. Hanson's tone was
very patronizng. and so the the squire
seemed to think, for he hesitated but -
moment before he said,
swell, Mrs. Hanson, it will be m adj
vantage to her to form the acquaintance
of two such ostimablc ladies as my pres
ent company; and l will be very glad to
present her to you forthwith. Pray ex-
cuse me for moment
"Stop, squirrel! shouted Mrs. Wilkes,
what's her name!' n
"Jennie Ray" returned the squire, dis
appearing in the passage.
"Jennie Ray! regular story name.
She's some city highfyer, 'spose.''
every likely, Mrs. Wilkes; but | see
the squire's mind is made up, and it's no
use to say anything. We must make the
best of her"
Just rs Mrs. Hanson let fall this mag
unanimous speech, the door opened and
the squire appeared.
"Laiies," said the squire, bowling po-
litely, "pcrmit me to present to you Mrs.
Jennie Ray, my daughters wax doll,
which l purchased at Portsmouth, last
week, and which arrived day before yes
terday at the depot by express. The cost
Of it was fortv-fve dollars, and at present
| haveno intention of making it my wife"
Poor Mrs. Wilkes! Mortified Mrs. Han
son! With burning faces they took their
leave; and since then, l believe, they
have miraculoHsly minded their own bu-
sincss.
Squire Richards was somewhat cccen-
trio, and knowing how busy-bodies Cos
s. .cd about him, and having purchased a
large-sizcd, wax-doll for his daughter, the
idea struck him that it would be a fine
joke on the scandal-loving people of
Whcatwold, to take it from the packing
case and ride home with it in his buggy
in full view of the public. We have
seen the result.
The squire is still unmarried, and bids
fair to remain thus; his widowed sister
having established herself as mistress of
lis family. .
hrs. Wilkes and Mrs. Hanson wouldr' t
ike to have their unfortunate mistake
made public, and wish it, as particu-
lar favor, that those who read this little
sketch will keep it as private as possible.