Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1858-10-28

the succeeding day, chiefly in pursuance
of the plan they agreed TO, in order to
avoid suspicion.
Squire Markham acted in an exceeding
strange manner to his sons thinking. Oc-
casionally he would burst into hearty
laugh, which he would endeavor to sup
press, and pace up and down the room as If
to walk off some of his superabundant hi
larity
Whats in the wind 2 thought Charles
to himself 1T can't be the old mans get
ting crazy Something was the matter be-
yond a doubt But what it really was he
had not the faintest conjecture.
At the hour specified, the Squire had
his carriage drawn up at the appointed rem
devious He began to peer anxiously in
the dark for Florence Atlength female
form, we'll muffied up, made its appearance.
Thanking her in very low whisper, lest
it might be suspected that he was the
wrong person, he helped her into the car
riage, and drove off.
During part of the journey, nothing was
said. Both parties were desirous of con-
cealing their identity. At length Squire
Markham, considering after all that he co d
not marry the lady without her consent,
and that the discovery must be made be-
fore marriage, decided to reveal himself,
and then urge his suit as we'll as he could
'My dear Miss Florence he continued
in his natural voice.
'Whyp shrieked the lady, though
it was Charles
And /, said squire Markham, recog
, nizing Mrs Benson's voice, thong ht j
was Florence
Was it you, sir, who was arranging tt
clope with my daughter ?
; No, but | conclude it was you ma'am
who was meaning to elope with my son.
t Indeed, Squire Markham, you're wrong
c the affair came incidentally to my know
e edge; concluded to take her place secret
. in order to Illustrate her plans
: 'Egad, the very idea L had myself sal
;, the squire laughing but the fact is ma an
we have both been confoundedly sold, an
V the mischief of it is, I have left lette
: for Charles, letting him know it; so III
r. doubtedly he will take the opportunity
: run away with Florence during our absenc
T and plume himself, the rascal, on the va
in which he was taken in
! Il confess that | left note for Floren,
9 to the same purpose. How she will laug
at me. What an embarrassment
" 'I'll tell you what, said the Squir
- after moments pause, I'VE can carry O
N our plans after ALL We each came o
ot I with the intention of getting marie
" Why not marry each other, and then "
n know, we'll make them believe We had
in view all along and only intended to frigf
en- them
Mrs Benson asscnted with little ur
= ing, and in the course of an hour the twa
Ut were made one They Immediately retur
We ed but found as they anticipated, tn
:. Florence and Charles, discovering their G
IL parture, had themselves stepped off III
y different direction, with similar intent.
u They made their appearance the ne
morning, prepared to laugh heartily at t
l lss frustrated plan of their parents, but learn
ne to their astonishment that they had stru
up a bargain for themselves. Squire Ma
leV ham and his new wife had the address
'oi convince them that it was all a premeditat
" plan, and to this day the younger pair
vas vas ignorant of the plot and counter plot VIII
'n' led to this double union of the two hou
a, d" holds.