The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1858-03-17
HOW TWO HOUSEHOLDS BECAME

forty four, when her husband. soap. boiler
in very good circumstances, was called from
his l,fe.task Of contributing 10 the general
publication Of mankind. Mrs. Benson took
refuge from her griefin pretty cottage situ.
ated on the principal street in the town Of
lG-.
At first she was inconsolable as she used
to say, with a SOLEMN emphasis which carried
conviction to the hearts Of her hearers. that
nothing but the thoughts Of her daughter
Florence would have prevented her from
terminating her existence by The intervention
Of poison.
i Mrs. Benson was in no small measure in.
debted to her daughter-since IN less than
three months she threw aside her mourning
and became as lively as ever.
Touching Florence, she had reached the
mature age of nineteen. and began TO feel
herself marriagable. She was quite pretty.
and tolerably well accomplished, so that her
wishes in that respect were very soon likely
to be fulfilled.
Just over the way lived Squire Markham.
The village lawyer, just yerging upon fifty,
with his son Charles, who was about half his
age. Being youn gman Of agreeable exte-
rior, the latter was quite fayorite among the
young ladies in The neighborhood, and con.
sidered in common parlance, quite catch
As yet, however. his affections had never
been seriously entangled, and might have re-
manned so, had il not been for the sudden
appsriiion. one morning, Of Florence Benson
riding by on horseback.
i II struck him at once that she was remarka-
bly, graceful. and really quite pretty. There.
upon he cultivated her acquaintance with in
creased assuluity, and after awhile asked the
fatal question.
Florence answered in the affirmative and
instead Of referring him dutifuIly to her moth
er. hinted (being romantic young la,ly)
how charming il would be to steal away 10
the next town. and get married without any
body being tue wiser.
Charles Markham caught..at this hint, which
chimed with his temperament, and resolved
TO adopt it.
In order that il might be carried out with
perfect success, il was resolved 10 seem in
different to each other, until the day fixed.
IN order to ward of any suspicion which
might otherwise be aroused.
So we'll were all these arrangements carried
out, that Mrs. Benson had no suspicion Of
what was going on.
!. Not so with Squire Markham. lie had ob-
tanned clue to the affair in some manner,
so that he had not only discovered the fact 81
the elopcment. but even the very day on
which il was TO occur.
sly dog, that Charles thought he TO him
self. as he set befnre the fire 10 his dressing
, gown and smoking cap. leisurely pulling al a
! choice Havana. But don't wonder at il
he only takes afterm Still owe him some
for keeping il So secretly from me. Ii would
be good Joke il were little younger, TO
, cut him out and marry her in spite Of him.
Squire Markham, who was one Of those
inyial widowers who take life as IT comes.
/, mused more and more on this idea, struck
, out by rhance as il were. till he really began
10 think il worth something.
After ALL shouted he, am not so old
either-ur at least the ladies say su-and
they ought to be good judges in such matters.
, have been bachelor good while, and
onght ohaye found out before this how much
more comfortable il would be TO have pretty
, wife 10 welcome me home and DO the honors
/ of NY table and to help me keep that rascal
! Charles in order. Egad. I've half mind e
do IT,
Squire Markham tonk two more whiffs and
exclaimed.
!, II vow I'll do it,
What this mysterious IL was, we will leave
the reader TO infer from his very next move
ment. Ringing the bell be inquired Of th,
servant:
r is Charles at home?
mo SIR was the reply, 'he went out thi,
! morning aud will be gunc all day.
II Humph Thal'li do. So much the bet
5 ter Tor nv PURPOSE thought he. when lef
: alone. Now shall have the ground left &
4 myself. Let me see. The rascal intends
!. running away next Thursday evening, an,
4 to-day is Monday. Nothing like sirikia.
! while the iron is hot I'll write 10 her il
! his name, telling her that have altered ~.
mind, aud will 20 just at dark Tomorrow
: night. She won't suspect any thing until ih,
knot is tied, AID then what laugh We shaI
have
Squire Markham did not consider that ]
: might make little difference with the brlil,
expectant. he considered il . capital jok,
J. on his son, and louked no further. He accor
Q dingly drew his writing materials toward
3 him. and indited the following episle:
e Dearest Florence ~ find the day fxe,
: for our elopement, On some accounts, ohjec
2 tionable, and would like. with your permis
y sion, to substitute o.mUrrow evening. IL
|. hear nothing from you. shall inier that yol
I assent to this arrangement. | shall have |
I carriage in readiness under the old oak tree
s II hail past eight o'clock. You can wall
p there without attracting suspicion. and a
Y there will be no moon We shall be able TO car
!. ~ out our plans without fear uf discovery
e am happy to say that the governor does no
= suspect in the least. that a daughter-in.la,
is in store Iur lin. Won't he be sIianed
Your devoted CHARLEY.
4, .Egads said Squire Markham, langhin
"a heartily. that isn't bad especially about hun
:. bngging me. Charley couldn't have done
ss better himself
1. So saying. he sealed !, up and sent i nse
4. by a little Irish boy in his employment. has