Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-09-15
MARRYING A SAW MILL.
CHAPTER I.

"Get my cap, Margaret Maria! There,
can't you Just tuck those gray hairs underf L
wish you'd ever remember and bring up that
bottle of hair dye! Come do hurry 20
oPity sakes, mother, what fuss for an old
country cOdger ?''
s.Margaret Maria don't you know anything
Squre Martin is rich-a great lumber mer-
chant, and besides he owns almost the whole
county of A. Now one of these two things
ia certsin, either you or must get married,
for what with your lace and brocade am al
most ruined. Wouldn't little of that rouge
Improve my complexion!' ssNonsense, ,moth-
er, hurry along"
The widow Brown descended to the parlor
ts greet her visitor, and the daughter COM
menced her toilet. twas no slight affair.
There were cosmetics to be applied to Checks
that would never boast the lily's fairness, and
smiIrs to practice before the long mirror.
There she stood in all the glory OF her borrow
cd charms, graceful, fascinating and in every
thing perfectly Ia mode. She found Squire
Martin in an easy y-chair, awk Sardly twiriing
his hat in his hands. He a short man,
perfectly bald with the exception of two lit
'tle nfts of gray hair that had been tied togetl-
'er by a bit OF thread; besides, he had weasen
face and cold gray, monied eye. Margaret
Maria dctested the old man at first sight. but
remembering their waning fortunes, she lent
her energies to aid her mother in the proposed
conquest. She never played and sung with
greater ease. never Udtle.eu uHoES SiSSdht-
,ly. He was evidently charmed with her
ioveliness, and the widow congratulated her.
self on the point gained. Squire Martin was
tedious taIker; but both ladies hung in ecs-
tacies on his words, laughing at his attempts
ct witticism and very fcelingly weeping
where tears could be dropped in. The wild
oyy revived their old acquaintance, talked over
school-days, and proffered her sympathies to
console him in his present loneliness, while
the daughter touchingly alluded to ner Or
nhanare. The effect was wonderful. When
Sonire Martin bowed himself away, 1t was
with promise soon to repeat his visit.
ssWell WE'LL this has gone off finely" said
the mother, as soon as they were alone, while
the Young lady threw herself on the sofa and
induIged in a loud laugh at their visitors ex
pensc.
mats so, 'Pon my word. what an odd hgure
ssHush, he is rich. Just think, my hne
lady, how will you like to teach music or sc"
for a living. l tell you again poverty is sta
ring ms in the face Such bird don't grow OF
every bush, and it's something of an obJcc
for me TO catch him." .
A few DAYS after, Margaret Maria was sit
ting at the piano, practlclng new song u
play for the Squire when in darted the gen
tleman in all the glory of a new wig. IL wa
black night, and far more unoecoll'hg tna'
the twin lock of gray that had been allowed
looked up in evident wonder
"Don't YOU know me-" said the Squire
s.or do look so young, hey or maybe yo'
didn't expect to see me so soon. Away
look out for me day head of the time
that's my motto. Stop here's a little trinke
7 have bought for you," said he, drawing a.
elegant diamond ring from his pocket. son
thing more want to know If you VIII MARI.
me ~ w,
ssNarry you," said Margaret Maria "W ny
Mr.. Martin, YOU are so much Older"
- "Sixty-fve next june:
s.Wbile am but child"
s.Tut, tut, twenty-five years ago tosse
Won in nv arms to the ceiling, smart nth
thing you were too. .to5 bo
Margaret Maria blushed, and referred ne
rich old lover to her mamma. one "eht y y
stairs in no very enYiable state OF nina. ~
mothcr,'' she said, sshe has proposed 10 me-
ssWho has ?''
esquire Martini" au
At first the widow was indignant, Dut niiai'
concluded that would not be best.
ssWell, what are you going to do ABOUT IL
said the mother, .syou wont refuse him r.
"Why, don't want to marry him ana n'
up there in the woods-but isn't this a prett
ring he gave me l''
eyes, indeed" said the widow, and he
immensely rich, and in all probability wou
not Here she paused. ssYou could
least claim your thirds, you know. YC
have declared you will not marry Henry Blake.
"No, indeed ,''exclaimed the daughter.