The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-01-21


suitable for ladies of their "eulibre,'') await
ing to be admitted. A frouzy. headed Irish
girl answered their rap.
as Squire Richards int" inquired Mrs.
Hanson. -
ain! to be sure he is! Safe in the bed,
ma'am! Is II after seen' him that We are!"
"Yes; we called to see him on important
business" replied Mrs. Hanson, frigidy.
"Sure then and I'll be afther cslln' him;
though the ould jintlenan's sound aslape-
for hu-d him snorin' but jest now when
come forenint his bedroom door. Come in
with yees!" and Biddy ushered the ladies in
to room where the breakfast.tabe was
standing in waiting for the family.
"Hum!" said Mrs. Wilkes, looking sig.
nifcantly at the table, "she cent be no
great things laying abed till Breakfast time!
Poor Mrs. Richardsl she used to be up in
season!' ..
Just at this moment. the Squire entered in
elegant diShabiHe-that is without coat,
and minus shoes and stockings. He ad.
vanced, holding out his hand cordially.
GOOD morning, ladies-good morning;
I'm little late, you see. Hope you'll ex-
cuse my toilet; the fact is, sat up rather
late last night, and felt drowSy this morn.
ing. Fine morning, isn't it.
Every enchanting," returned Mrs. Han
son, who greatly prided herself on the ele.
CANT pfopriety Of her language. "it is beau
tiful enough for morning in the gorgeous
land Of the Orientals! But to change the
subject; we called on q matter of busi,
ness"
whats the difficulty now, Mrs. Hanson!
A new carpet for the parsonage, or is fifty
dollars wanted by the Missionary Society!
Come, sPeRk out!"
"Ah, Squire, it's wuss than that!" put in
Mrs. Wilkes, no longer able to keep silence
sits something that consarns you, Squire
consarns you everlastin' and etarnal we'll.
brin'"
"Indeed! Well, 60 on" The Squire,
nevertheless, looked as if surprised. Mrs.
Hanson drew long breath, and began,
esquire, we called to see il you were
thinking of marrying again! We"
"You weren't going to propose to me,
were you ladies! should be exceedingly
happy to receive such proposals, but should
have Deacon Hanson and Major Wilkes in
my hair forthwith. 1t wouldn't do, ladies!'
"No, we supposed you had already made
your election of the person who is to fill
your dead wfe's place, and we called to talk
with you about her. We have understood
that she was in your house, and il agreeable,
would be.pleased to see her. Our interest
in yourself and your motherless child has
Induced US to ths.'' Mrs. Hanson spoke
with solemn dignity, and evidently intended
to impress the Squire powerfully with her
manner.
"And we want to know where you got
acquainted with her, Squire; and how old she
is; and if she knows how to do housework!'
said Mrs. Wilkes.
SHOW did you learn anything of thisp
asked the Squire, evidently somewhat non
plussed by the extraordinary knowledge o
r his affairs displayed by his visitors.
q "We heard of your ridin' out with her
Squire; she drest all in pink, with greer
y. silk bunnit! Don't look very we'll, Squire
4 to see a man of your age riding out wit
# tich young gall"
q "Weli, ladies', suppose I should take
!, notion to get married. You couldn't blam
the, l don't think. Here / am with n
II housekeeper, and an Irish girl 10 overse
4 things, and my home is none Of the most OIL
derlv. Elmetta needs some one to care fc
:, her, and it wouldn't be in nature for fathe
- to be unmindful of the interests Of hi
,o child"
;. "Why, no, of course uot. But then,
, you needed housekeeper, my Julia An
~ would come and look after things. She's
. capital manager and very fond of children
~ She and Elmetta-sweet little thing!-
Il would get on admirably"
i. "Yes, or my Mary Elizsbeth either!-
70 She'd be tickled to death to come! ST
thinks so much of Sqtire Richards and b
!, little gal. And, if do say it, Mary Eliz
ha beth is as nice gal as there is anywhere
n. "Mary Elizabeth's health is too feeble f
much exertion, Mrs. Wilkes; you don't
dv right to put anything hard upon her, "
II. know she has pain in her side half Il
. time!" Mrs. Hanson was determined
- have it understood that the hope of the w
to keses was only an ornament to the world.
"Well," said the Squire, at last; ~ dol
es, know what to think about it! don't
OH lieve Elmetta would give up this 'lody
ow pink as you call her, at all; she's taken
is wonderful liking to her."
"Where did she come from, Squire! Y
": haitl't told US anything about her yetp'
e "To be sure. Mrs. Wilkes. Well,
ng found her in a milliner's shop in the city
tx, Portsmouth," ..
ou. "1n a ffi liners shop' then she's mil
ou ner, is shel Well, nevef"
'ur "Will yoti be Kind enough to favor
~. with an introduction! should be happy
me see her before | form an opinion of
red character" Mrs. E1anson's tone was "