Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-10-01
FANNIE's ELOPEMENT.
BY MARY GRACE MALPINE.


BY MARY GRACE HALPINE.
Fannie" said Judge Clifton to his daugh'
ter, one morning, laying down the paper, over
the top of which he had been for some time
regarding her, come hither, my child"
Fannie very dutifully did as she was bid
den. And az she stood by his side, the Judge
took both Of her small hands in one Of his
and smoothing caressingly with the other heI
soft shining hair, looked tendcrly into hel
face.
You are a woman now, Fannie, he said.
Eighteen last Christmas, papa" returned
Fannie. demurely, trying to assume the dig
nifty and gravity which belong to that mature
age. Though to tell the truth, they looked
strangely out of keeping with her slight form
and girlish face, and, in spite Of all her efforts
her rosy mouth would dimple with smiles, and
her eyes wear the arch, saucy expression thai
was natural to them.
"Can it be possiblc?" exclaimed the OLE
gentleman, hcaving deep sigh. slow timC
does go, to be sure! You are year Older
than your mother was, when | married her
Well, well, he resumed, after pause, taking
off his spectacles, and wiping them carefully
he read justed them upon his nose; ~ suppose
| must come to it some time, and it may as
well be first as last. All fathers have to lose
their daughters, and | suppose | shall have t.
make up my mind to lose you.
lose me, papa" exclaimed Fannie, open
ing her eyes in aStonishment "Why, what
do you mean? | hope am not going to di,
yet awhile"
"You know well enough what mean, YOU
jade. mean that like all the rest of the silly
young girls, who never know when they arr
well oil, you will be getting married"
"For shame, papa" said Fannie, Flushing
and laughing. 81 shall do no such thing"
"Of course not" returned the judge, dryly
"Ncvcr had such an idea during the whole
course of your life, dare say. Couldn't bt
persuaded to do anything so highly improper.
"But what put that idea into your hcat
this morning?" persisted Fannie, whose curl
oSity was aroused.
"Thc visit of certain young gentleman
who has requested permission to pay his ad
dresses to you"
"That homely and disagrceable Major Sin
clair, suppose" said Fannie, scornfully.
mo, my dear, it is not 1t was that hand
some and very agreeable Mr.. Charles Ray
What do you think Of that"
To her fathers surprise, Fannie's counten-
ccptible pout, and frown actually gathered
oil her smooth, open brow.
Think" she repeated, with disdainfu
tossoof the head, ~ think he came on a fools
crrand; that is what think"
"Iloty, toity::" exclaimed the old gentleman
with a puzzled air. "What has come Ovel
you now! 1t seems that you have changed
your opinion very suddenly"
A., IT., Ano NI,o 20 Il
my opinion, it can matter very little to him i
have" rctortcd Fannie.
80, no. there is where the shoe pinches, il
it," said Judge Clifton, laughing. swell, new
or mind my dear, he is coming here some
time today to talk with you about it. l have
given him my full permission"
"WithOut which he would have stayed
away, suppose" said Fannie, in an under
tone.
"What is that, my dear" inquired the OLD
judge who was little deaf
81 said that it will not he convenient for mt
to see Mr.. Ray said Fannie, in a louder voice
"IIe may come if he chooses, but cannot b,
at home"
Fannie, - said Judge Clifton, stcrnly, "wha
is the meaning of this follyf OF course yol
will receive him. Mr. Ray is a worthy ant
uOOOT1DIc UluU, anu i 6uuL IIlSISt tuAS LC SIlHI
be treated civilly."
~ suppose the next thing you will be in
sisting on my having him for husband" sht
returned, her eyes filling at this unwOntct
harShness in her indulgent father.
"My dear child" said the judge, kindly
touched by the evident grief Of his daughter
though unable to understandable cause, II shal
insist on no such thing. Ircally supposed yO'
had partially for the young man, and wa
glad Of it, for | entertain a very high opinion
Of him. Only remember that desire you t
sec him this evening, and tell him so yourself
But it so happened that business of very
pressing nature called Fannie over to her sis
ter's that evening, much to her lovers disap
pointment and her fathers chagrin, who wa
quite mystiied at his daughters conduct.
"Only to think, Mary" said Fannie, as sh'
drew chair up to the table where her siste
was sewing, that Charles Ray has asked papa
permission to visit me-"
'Well, it's just what I expected" replied
Mary, quietly.
"What without word to me about III"
II suppose he was pretty well informed o
your sentiments in regard to him." said he
sister, smiling.
''Well, he will find himself mistaken if h
thinks he is going to marry me-" said the lit
tic lady, with dignity. "I have no idea of be
ing bargained for like piece of merchandise!
"Why, Fannie! really thought you like
Charley. am sure that it was very prope
and honorable in him to ask papa's permission
before speaking to you."
"Vcry proper, dare say" said Fannie
scornfuly. ''But can't abide these propc
people that always do everything by rule.
suppose if papa had refused, he would hav
walked away as meek as whipped spaniel
and never come near me-"
GLOW ridiculous, Fannie! Papa thinks
great deal Of Mr.. Ray. heard him say onl
the other day that he would rather have hin
for son.in-law than any one he knew"
'IIe thinks great deal more Of him than
do, then," was Fannie'S scornful rejoinder.-
Il have no idea of having a husband pickle
out for me. can make my own selection
And would rather never marry than to hav
for a husband such tame, spiritlcss man a
Charles Ray"
Fannie was as good as her word. She tool
every opportunity of avoiding her suitor, 70
whom she had hitherto exhibited preference
which would, no doubt, in time have ripene
into a warmer feeling;. never giving him
chance of seeing or speaking with her alone.
This obvious change in her department quit
dishcartencd poor Charles, who was sinccrel
attached to her, and was a source of muc
annoyance to Judge Clifton, who had set hi
heart on the match.
"My child" said the Judge to Fannie, on
morning, few days after, 81 quite agree wit
you in your opinion of Mr.. Ray; he is an in
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