Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-11-03
MATRIMONIAL STRATAGEM.
A FIRsT-RATE STORY

l.
FIRsr-RATE STORY.
Mrs Bcnoni Benson was fat fair, and forty
four, when her husband, soap-boiler in very
good circumstances was called from his life
task of contributing to the general publication
of mankind. Mrs. Benson took refuge from
her grief in pretty cottage situated on the
principal street in the town of G.
AT first she was inconsolable; and she used
to saw, with solemn emphasis which carried
conviction to the hearts of her hearers. that
nothing but the thoughts of Florence would
have prevented her from terminating her ex-
istence by the Intervention OF poison.
Mrs Benson was in 10 small degree indebt-
ed to her daughter-since in less than three
months she threw aside her mourning, and be-
came as lively
Touching Florence, she had now reached
the mature age of nineteen, and began to
think herself marriageabe. She was quite
pretty, and tOlerably we'll accomplished, so
that her wishes III that respect were very
likely to be fulfilled.
Just over the way lived Squire Markham,
the village lawyer, just verging upon fifty, with
his son Charles, who was about half his age.
Being young man of agreeable exterior, the
latter was quite fayorite with the young
ladies in the neighborhoOd, and considered,
in common parlance. quite ''catch..
As vet however, his affections had never
been seriously entangled, and might have re-
partition, one morning, of Florence Benson,
riding on horseback
Il struck him at once that she was rcmarka-
bly, graceful, and really quite pretty. There
upon he cultivated her acquaintance with in
creased assduity, and after while asked the
fatal question.
Florence answered in the affirmative, and
instead OF referring him dutifully to her
mother limited (being romantic young LADY,
how charming 1t would be to steal away TO the
next town and get married, without anybody
being the wiser.
Charles Markham caught at this hint, which
chimed with his own temperament, and he re-
solved to adopt il.
In order that it might be carried out with
ncrfcct success, it was resolved to seem indif-
fcrcnt to each other until the day fixed, in or
der to ward off any suspicion which otherwise
might be aroused.
So well were these arrangements carried
out, that Mrs. Benson had no suspicion OF
what was going on.
Not SO with Squire Markham. lie had OBJ
tanned clue to the affair in some manner, 50
that he not only discovered the fact OF the
tlopcment, but even the very day on which
il was to occur.
ssSIy dog, that Charles, )" thought he to him
self, as he sat down before the fire IN his dres-
sing-gown and smoking cup, Ieisureiy putting
away at a choice Havana. s'But don't Won
der at it he only takes after me. Still, owe
him something for keeping it so secretly from
me. 1t would be a good joke, il were little
younger, TO cut him out and marry her IN
spite of him.
Squire Markham, who one of those
ioviaI widowers who take lifo it comes,
unused more and more on this idea, stuck out
by chance, as it were, until he really began
TO think it worth something.
.sAfter ali,:' shouted he Il am not so old,
either or at least the ladies say so, and they
ought to be good judges in such matters |
have been 4 bachelor good while, and ought
10 have found out before this how much more
comfortable it would be 10 have pretty wife
TO welcome me home, and do the honors OF
my table, and to help me keep that rascal
Charles in order. Kgad I've half mind to
do it.''
Squire Markham took two more whiffs, and
exclaimed:
81 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 b,ll, he inquired OF the
servant,
.Is Charles at homc?"
s.No, SIR" was the reply, s'he went out this
morning, and will be gone all day
s.Humph that'll do. So much the better
for my purposes thought he, when alone
..No ow l shall have the ground left TO my sell
Let me SEQ the rascal intends running away
next Thursday evening and to-day is Monday
Nothing ike striking when the iron is hot
I'Il write to her in his name. telling her that
/ have altered my mind, and will go Just al
dark tomorrow night. She won't suspect
anything until the knot is tied, and then what
n laugh we shall have
Souirc Markham did not consider that II
might make little difference With the bride
exnectant He considered it 4 capital JOKE
on his son, but looked no further. He accord
incly drew his writing materials towards him
and indited the following epistlc:
"DEAREsr FLORENCE IL lind the day nxed
for our elopement on some accounts objection,
able, and would like, with your permission, &c
substitute to morrow evening. II hear noth
ing from you shall infer that you assent &c
this arrangement. l shall have a carriage III
readiness under the old oak tree at halt.pas
eight O'Clock. You can walk there without
attracting suspicion, and as there will be nc
moon, we shall be able to carry out our plan:
without fear of discovery. / am happy to say
that the governor doesn't suspect in the leas
that daughter-in law is in store for him.
Won't he be ashamed?
ssYour devoted, CHARLEY"
sEgad - said Squire Markham. laughing
ssthat isn't bad. especially about humbugginl
me. Charley couldn't have done any bettel
himself"
So saying, he sealed it up and sent it owe
by little Irish boy in his employment, having
first marked sspriyate'' in the corner