The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1859-08-17

ever saw any young girls in a house, there
took board-but none of them would suit
me. At last received an answer to my
advertisement from widow lady with one
daughter. called at the house and was
ushered into an elegantly furnished parlor
where young lady was seated playing
piano. In spite of Shakspeare's denuncia-
ton of q man who has no music in his soul,
never had any music in mine. don't
know Yankee Doodle from Old Hundred
and yet, strange to say, the music sounded
pretty as it tinkled from her fingers. She
did not hear me enter, so continued to play.
| listened for some minutes, and then cough
ed gently. She turned her head, and with
q blush rose from her seat think l had
never seen so beautiful girl before. She
was not more than eighteen years of age
tall and graceful-her form beautifully
rounded-dark auburn hair hung in natu-
raj ringlets on q swan-like neck. In short,
the moment saw her performed the i'm
aginary pantomimc of slapping my trowsers'
pocket, and exclaimed, mentally, Here's
girl for my money"
did you want to see my mother?" asked
the lovely creature in musical voice.
"iiave the pleasure of speaking to Miss
Clarksony" l asked.
"Yes, sir.'
~ have called, madam, in reference to a
note received-I believe from your mother
stating that you wished to take single
gentleman to board with YOU"
"Yes sir; will call my mother" And
the fairy bounded out of the room.
In minute or two afterwards, the mother
entered the room. If the daughter was
pretty, the widow was decidedly ugly. She
was past forty, thin, scraggy, wore false
teeth and false hair. When looked at her
| almost felt tempted to leave the house
but then gazed at the daughter, and de-
termined to remain. The preliminaries
were soon arranged, and the next day took
up my abode under the roof of Widow
Clarkson. soon felt quite at home. and
determined to make myself as agreeable as
possible. was polite to the mother, tender
to the daughter, and evidently pleased the
old woman, for I. ate~ but little. Our eve
.Sngs were very pleasant young friend oi
the family used to drop in occasionally. and
we played whist. The young man was a
cousin OF the family-a rather pleasant
young fellow, and the time passed yery
agreeably away.
In the meantime l prosecuted my suit
earnestly. Ihave always held it as an axiom
that If you want to succeed with the Young
branches of family, you must pay atten.
ton to the head; there is nothing like pro-
curing friend at court" This plan fol-
lowed. l was very polite to Mrs. Clarkson;
l waited on her at table; escorted her to
the theatre and opera, and read to her Cobb's $
last. got ON finely. soon saw that she
was very partial to me. In the meantime I
did not neglect my suit with the object of
my affections. gazed On her tenderly: I
pressed her hand whenever had an oppor-
tunity; and believed that had made con-
siderable impression on her young heart
Things went on this way for more than two
months, when l thought it high time that |
should bring matters to crisis. One eve.
ming entered the sitting-room, and found
the charming girl alone. The cousin had
not yet come, although he now visited the
house every night. This was too coed AN
opportunity to be lost.
Miss Clarkson," said I, approaching her
81 wish to have little conversation wifi
you."
II think can guess what it is about" /"
said she, smiling archly.
You encourage me-" I replied, glad ia
find that my attentions had not been thrown
away, and auguring the best results of this
cordial reception. "You think you know
my errand, thcn?''
YES, indeed; your attentions are too
pointed to be mistaken"
II am gratitied to find you so discerning
and l took her hand-''and now, dear
Charlotte, allow me to call you SO, since YOU
have penetrated my secret, 1 only want your
consent to make me happy man."
LET me set your mind at rest, then, sil
IL have no objection whatever"
II was rather surprised that she consent.
ed SO readily. think should have taken
it better if she had been little more coy in
the matter. "Dear girl" l exclaimed, and
claiming . lovers privilege, kissed her
cheek. She did not make the slightest op.
position. "You consent then, that should
be your protector through life?"
! "You are very kind, sir" returned the
fair girl, ''as said before, have no objec-
ton" thought she was very cold in he,
language, but l put it down to maidenly
modesty.
Charlotte, your consent has made me the
happiest Of men; when shall the ceremony
take placer"
}, Don't you think mamma had better an
swer the question! You had better consult
her upon that matter"
"True, my dear child; admire your del
icacy-I run to her on the wings of love
Oh, what a happy man you have made me p
~ am sure, sir, am very glad it was in
my power to give you pleasure. do not
think you had any reason to doubt my con.
currence in your Wishes"
"TheYe is no reading the human heart
you know thought perhaps the differences
in our ages"
'What do two or three years signify p
replied my darling, smiling.
"Dear girl; how kind Of you to say that.
I returned, charmed with her delicacy il
|, considering twenty-five years - only twt
or three years. "But will 60 to your m.
at once; adisu, darling for lew minutes. ;
i So saying, hurried from the room.
sent up message to Mrs. Clarkson, that
wished to see her on important business
and would wait for her in the dining-room
In about quarter. of an hour she came
down stairs, dressed in . most gorgeou.
manner, but in spite Of her toilet, coult
not help remarking that she looked thinner
and scraggier than ever.
. "Mrs. Clarkson," I commenced, making
most profound bow, II wish to talk will
lyou on = very important matter-one which
nearly concerns my happiness"
, ~ shall be pleased to hear what you hav
; to say, sir," replied the widow, taking sea