The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-07-24
=IoI U-NO 49, WHOLE NO. %. -.
cantly at the table, ssshe can't be no great
thing, lying abed till breakfast time! Poor
Mrs. Richards, she ALWAYS used to be mn in

cantly at the table, ssshe can't be no grea
thing, lying abed till breakfast time! Poo,
Mrs. Richards, she always used to be up ii
season!" -..-
just at this moment, the Squire entered
in elegant dishabile--that is without coat
and minus shoes and stockings. He I'D.
vanced towards the ladies, holding out hi.
hand cordially.
"Good morning, ladies--good morning
fm little late, you see. Hope you'll ex.
cuse my toilet; the fact is, sat up rathe,
late last night, and felt drowsy this morning
line morning, isn't it?''
s'Very enchanting" returned Mrs. Hanson
who prided herself on the elegant pro.
priety of her language "it is beautiful
enough for morning in the gorgeous land
of the Oricntals. But to change the subject
We called on matter of business-."
"What's the difficulty now, Mrs. Hanson:
A new carpet for the parsonage, or is fifty
dollars wanted by the Missionary Society
Come, speak out.''
"Ah, Squire, it is wuss than that!' put
in Mrs. Wilkes, no longer able to keep ST.
ience, "it consarns your cverlastin' well be-
imp
''Indeed! Well 60 on" The Squire,
nevertheless, looked as if surpriaed. Mrs
Hanson drew long breath and began:
"''Squire, we called to see if you were
thinking of marrying again. We"
"You weren't going to propose to me,
were you, ladies? l should be exceedingly
happy to receive such proposals, but should
have Deacon Hanson and Major Wilkes
in my hair forthwith. 1t would not do, Ia
dies!''
s'No, We supposed you had already made
your selection of the person who is to fill
your dead wife's place, and We call to talk
you about her. We have understood that
she is in your house, and if agreeable, would
like to see her. Our interest in yourself
and mothcress child has induced us to ths.''
Mrs. Hanson spoke with solemn dignity, and
evide ntly 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 house.
work'' said Mrs. Wilkes.
"How did you learn anything of that?''
asked the Squire, evidently somewhat non
plused by the extraordinary knowledge of
affairs displayed by his visitors.
"We heard of your ridin' out with her,
esquire; she dressed all in pink, with green
silk bonnet. Don't look very well Squire,
to see man of your age ridin' out with
such a young gal!'
"Well, ladies, suppose I should take a
notion to get married? You couldn't blame
me, l think. Here am with no housekeep-
er, and an Irish girl to oversee things, and
my home is none of the most orderly. El-
meta needs some one to care for her, and
it wouldn't be in nature for father
to be unmindful of the interests of his
child"
sWhy no, of course not But then, if
you need housekeeper, Julia Ann would
come and look after things. She's a capi-
tai manager, and very fond of children
She and Elmetta-sweet little thing-would
get on admirably"
eyes, or my Mary Elizabeth either. She'd
be tckled to death to come. She thinks so
much of Squire Richards and his little
gal. And if do say it, Mary Elizabeth is
as nice a gal as there is anywhere"
"Nlarv Elizabeth'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
time.'' Mrs. Hanson was determined to
have it understood that the hope of the
Wilkeses was only an ornament to the
world.
"Well," said the Squire at last, sI don't
know what to think about it. do not be-
lieve Elmetta would give up this lady in
pink as you call her, at all; she has taken
wonderful liking to her."
sWhere did she come from, Squire P
You amt told US anything about her.''
'.To be sure, Mrs. Wilkes. Well, found
her in miliner's shop in the city of Ports
MOUTH
"ln miliner's shop Then She a mil
liner is she. Well, never"
"Will you be SO kind as to favor us with
an introduction? should be happy to see
her before form an opinion of her charac-
ter" Mrs. Ilanson's tone was very patron
izing, and so the Squire seemed to think,
for he hesitated but a moment before he
said:
"Well, Mrs. Hanson, it will be an advant-
age to her to form the acquaintance of such
estimable ladies my present company; |
will be very glad to present her to you
f,rthwith. Pray excuse me for mo-
meat"
..Stop, Squire % shouted Mrs. Wilkes,
"what's her name?"
"Jenne Ray,' returned the Squire, dis
appearing in the passage.
"Jennie Ray a regular book name She
is some city highhyer, s'pose."
every likely, Mrs. Wilkes, but see the
'Squro's mind is made up, and it's no use
to say anything. We must make the best Of
her."
Just as Mrs. Hanson let fall this magnan-
imous speech, the door opened,and the
Squire appeared
"Lades," said the Squire, bowing polite
", "pcrmit me to present to you Miss jennie
Rav, my daughters wax doll. which pur-
chased at Portsmouth last week, and which
arrived day before yesterday at the depot !;
the cost Of it was fortytive dollars, and at
present have no intention of making it my
wife,"
Poor Mrs. Wilkes. Mortified Mrs. Han
son. With burning faces they took their
leave: and since then, believe, they have
miraculouslv minded their own business.
'Suuirc Richards was somewhat eccentric,
and knowing how busy bodies gossiped about
him, and having purchased large wax doll
for his little girl, the idea struck him that
it would be fine joke on the scandal-loving
people of Wheat void, 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 hav-
ing established herself as mistress Of his
family.
Mrs. Wilkes and Mrs. Hanson wouldn't
like to have their unfortunate mistake made
public, and wish it, rs n particular favor,
that those who read this little sketch will
keep i: as private as possible.
NJ A late reverend clergyman, who was
as we'll known for his eccentricity as his
talents, one day sent his son, a lazy lad,
about twelve years of age, to catch his
horse. The boy went along, half asleep,
with an ear of corn in one hand and the bri-
die in the other, dragging his reins on the
ground. .. :.
"Thomasr' said his father, calling after
him in a solemn tone of voice, ''come here,
want to say a word to you before you
CO."
The lad returned and then the parson pro-
ceeded:
"You know, Thomas, have given you a
great deal of counsel. You know Pve