The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1858-08-26

to himself, as he sat down before the fire
in his dressing gown and smoking cap,
leisurely putting away at a choice Ha-
wanna. But don't wonder at it he
only takes after me- Still, l owe him
something for keeping it so secretly from
me. 1t would be good joke, if were
a little younger, to cut him out, and mar
ry her in spite of him." 5a'a ~
Squire Markham, who was one of
those jovial widowers who takes life as it
comes, mused more and more on this
idea, struck out by chance as it were,
till he really began to think it worth
something. aa y 1@ +
After ALL shouted he, 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 comfor-
table it would be to have pretty wife to
welcome me home, and to do the hon.
ors of my table, and to help me to keep
that rascal Charles in order. Egad I've
half a mind to do it, W
Squire Markham took two more whiffs,
and exclaimed "1A
Il vow, I'll do it,
What this mysterious IT was, we will
leave the reader to infer from his very
next movement. Ringing the bell, he
inquired of the servant:
is Charles at home . @ ap.
No, SIR was the reply, he went out
this morning, and will be gone all day.
.g' Humph 7 that'll do. So much the
better for my purposes, thought he.
when alone. , l Gfea ~
Now / shall have the ground left to
myself. Let me see the rascal intends
running away next Thursday evening,
and to-day is Monday. Nothing like stri-
king while the Iron IS hot. I'll write to
her in his name, telling her that have al
tered my mind, ana Will 60 just at dark
tomorrow night. She wont suspect any
thing until the knot is tied, and then what
a lau sh We shall have I 4
Squire Markham did not consider
that it might make little difference with
the bride expectant. He considered it q
capital joke OH his son. but looked nc
further. He accordingly drew his wri-
ting materials towards him, and indted
the following epistle %
Dearest Florence: | find the day fix
ed for our elopement on some accounts
Objectionable. and would like, with your
permission, to substitute tomorrow even
ing. I'll hear nothing from you, shall
infer that you assent TO this arrangement
| shall have a carriage in readiness under
the old oak tree at half past eight clock
You can walk there without attracting
suspicion, and as there will be no moon,
we shall be able to carry out our plans
without fear of discovery. | am happy
to say that the Governor doesn't suspect
in the least that daughter-in-law is in
store for him. Won't he be ashamed
Your devoted CHARLEY
'Egad / said Squire Markham. laugh,
ing 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 il
over by a little Irish boy in his employ
ment, having first marked private in
the corner.
Be careful, Mike, TO give it to Miss
Benson, and don't let any one else see it,
was the parting injunction.
Mrs. Benson was sitting in her quie,
parlor, casting her eyes ever late mum.
ber of .iarper's Magazine. Florence
being absent on shopping excursion
she was left alone. The ringing of the
bell brought her to the door. With sur.
prise she saw that the person who rang
the bell was Mike, Squire Markham s
boy of all work
Please, ma'am, said he, hold ing ou
the missive, "a letter for Miss Benson,
an it's very particular that nobody else
should see it,
The air of mystery conveyed in this
characteristic address aroused Mrs
Benson's curiosity, especially when she
observed that it was addressed to hel
daughter, and not to herself; as she sup
posed. She returned to the paslor--no
to read Harper's Magazine that had
lost its attrac tons.
What in the world can it be- sh,
thought, that they should be so secre
about it? Can Florence be carrying or
a clandestlne correspondence? 1t may
be something that l ought to know
Stimulated by her feminine curiosity
Mrs. Benson speedily concluded that she
would be false to the responsibilities of
parent if she did not unravel the mys
terry. 81
Here's pretty doing she exclaimed
as soon as she could recover BREATH
So Florence was going to run away an,
get married to that Charles rkham
without as much as limiting word tc
me.
She leaned her head upon her hand
and began to consider. She was natu
rally led to think OF her own maniag,
with the late Mr.. Benson, and the hap
piness Of her welded life, and she coul.
not help heaying sigh, at the recollec
ton.
Am always to remain thus solitary
she thought. 'Pye half a mind not I
show the letter to Florence, but to ru
away with Charles tomorrow night 0
my own account. It's odd If | can