Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1859-03-05
FANNIE CLIFTON,s ELOPEMENT.

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FANNIE cLIFTON's ELOPEMENT.
"Fannie," said j Judge Clifton to his daugh-
ter, one morning, laying down the paper, over
the top of which he had been for some time
intentiy regarding her, "come hither my
| child" ..4 -,
Fannie very dutifully did as she was bid
den. And as she stood by his side, the
Judge took both of her small hands in one OF
his, and smoothing caressingly with the oth-
sr, her soft, shining hair, looking tenderly IN
| to her face.
"You are now woman now, Fannie" he
| said.
Eighteen last Christmas, papa" returned
Fannie demurely, trying to assume the digni-
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 soould dimple with
smiles, and her eyes wear the arch saucy ex-
preston that was natural to them.
Can it be possible p exclaimed the old
gentleman heaving a deep sigh. "How time
does 20, to be sure |! You are a year older
than your mother was when l married
her." u;
Well, WE'LL" he resumed after pause,
taking off his spectacles, and after wiping
them carefully, readjusted them on bis nose,
81 suppose must come to it sometime, and
it may as well be first as last-7:All fathers
have to lose their daughter, and suppose
shall have to make up my mind to lose
YOU" tJ1 5 .r..s'' ...-. .-...-
Lose me papa ~ exclaimed Fannie, op-
| ening her eyes in astonishment =" What
do you mean? hope am not going to die
yet awhile" = am. $3.50
g You know we'll enough what mean,
you Jade. mean that, like all the rest of the
silly young girls, who never know when
they were well off, you will be getting marri-
ed" 't1 .s
/" For shame papa" said Fannie, blushing
and laughing. Il shall not do any such
thing ~
"Of course not" returned the Judge dry
ly "Never had such an idea during the
whole course of your life, dare say. Could
not be persuaded to do anything so highly i'm
proper! %
But what put that idea into your head
this morning ?'' persisted Fannie, whose Gu
riosity was aroused.
The visit of a certain young gentlemen,
who has requested permission to pay his adj
resses to you."
"That homely and disagreeable Major Sin
clair, suppose" said Fannie, scornfully.
No my dear, it was not. 1t was that
handsome and very agreeable Mr.. Charles
Ray. What do you think of that ~
To her fathers surprise, Fannie's coun-
tenance fell ; her rosebud lips showed a
very perceptiDle pout, and frown actually
gathered on her smooth, open brow.
"Think ?" she repeated, with disdain-
full toss of the head. think he came on
FOOLS GRAND, that is what think ~
Hoity, toity ?" exclaimed the old gentle
man, with puzzled air. What has come
over you now 1t seems that you have
changed your opinion very suddenly"
As Mr.. Ray never took the trouble to ask
if have" retorted Fannie, Indignantly.
"Oh, oh there is where the shoe pinches,
is it ~ said Judge Clifton, laughing. "Well,
never mind, my dear, he is coming here
some time to-day to talk with you about it.
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 p inquired the
old Judge who was little deaf
II said that it will not be convenient for
me to see Mr., Ray,' said Fannie in louder
voice. "He may come if he choose, but
cannot be at home"
Fannie" said Judge Clifton sternly,
''what is the meaning of this folly =? Of
course you will receive him. Mr.. Ray is a
worthy and honorable man, and l insist that
he be treated civilly."
81 suppose the next thing you will be in
sisting on my having him for my husband"
she returned, her eyes filling with tears at
this unwonted harshness in her indulgent ia
ther.
"My dear child" said the Judge kindly,
touched by the evident grief of his daughter,
though unable to understand the cause,
shall insist on no such thing. I really sup
posed you had partiality for the young man,
and was glad of it, for 1 entertain very
high opinion of him. But if it is not so, we'll
say no more about it. Only remember that
l desire you to see him this evening, and tell
him so yourself" -. 1- .'' ~
g 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
was quite mystifed at his daughters con-
duct. ... .. .'-... ...--...-.. .- .'.
I" Only to think, Mary" said Fannie, as
she drew chair up to the table where her
sister was sewing, "that Charles Ray has
asked papa's permission to visit me p :
Well, it's just what expected" replied
Mary, quietly.
"What without word to me about
it P"
L suppose he was pretty well informed of
your sentiments in regard to him." said her sis
ter, smiling.
Well, he will find himself mistaken if he
thinks he is going to marry me-" said the
little lady with great dignity. 81 have no idea
of being bargained for like piece ofmcrchan-
disc I"
"Why, Fannie! l really thought you liked
Charley. l am sure it was very proper and
honorable in him to ask papa's permission be-
fore speaking to you"
Very proper, dare say" returned Fan
ME, scornfully. " But can't abide these
proper people that always do everything by
rule. suppose if papa had refused, he would
have walked away as meek as whipped
spaniel, and never come near me !"
How ridiculous, Fannie Papa thinks a
great deal of Mr. Ray. heard him say on
ly the other day that he would rather have
him for his son.in-law than any one ne
knew"
He thinks great deal more of him than
1 do, then," was Fannie's scornful reioinder
have no idea Of having husband picked
| out ior me. l can make my own selection
And would rather never marry than to have
for my husband such tame, spiritless man
as Charles Ray"
Fannie was as good as her word She took
every opportunity of avoiding her suitor, for
whom she had hitherto exhibited a prefer
ence which would, no doubt, in time, have
ripened into a warmer feeling never giving
him a chance of seeing or speaking with her
alone.
This obvious change in her deportment,quite