Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-08-17
FANNY cLIFTors ELoPEMEnT.

FANNY CL1fT0NS ELOPEMENT.
By MARY GRACE HALPINE.
"Fannie," said Judge Clifton to his daHgh,
ter, one morning, laying down the paper, oveE
the top Of which he had been for some time
regarding her, acome hfther, my child.''
Fanny very dntifuily did as she was hidden.
And as she stood by his side, the Judge took
both of her small hands in one Of his, and
smoothing caressingly with the other her soft
shining hair, looked tenderly into her face.
"You are woman, now, Fannie, - he said.
eighteen last Christmas, papa," returned
Fannie, demurely, trying to assume the digni-
ty and gravity which belong to that mature
age, though to tell the truth, they looked
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
| natural to them.
ssCan it be possible 2'' exclaimed the old
gentleman, heaying deep sigh. "How time
does go, to be sure. You year older
than your mother was when / married her.
Well well.'' he resumed, after panse, taking
off bis spectacles, and wiping them carefully,
he readjusted them upon his nose, sI suppose
/ must come to it some time, and it may Us
well be first as last. All fathers have to lose
their daughters, and l suppose l shall have
! to make up my mind to lose you.''
"Lose me, papa!'' exclaimed Fannie, OPEN
/ ing her eyes in astonishment. ssWhy, what
| do you mean / hope am not going TO die
yet awhile.''
"You know well enough what mean, you
| jade. mean, that like all the rest of the sill
| ly Young girls, who never know when they are
we'll off, you will be getting married."
"For shame, papa,'' said Fannie, blushing
and laughing. 81 shall do no such thing.''
.'Of course not - returned the Judge ,driy.
| ''Never had such an idea during the whole
course of your life, dare say. Couldn't be
| persuaded to do anything so highly improper
| s'But what put that idea into your head this
morning 2" persisted Fannie, whose curiosi-
| ty was aroused.
| ssThe visit of certain Young gentleman,
who has requested permission to pay his ad-
| dresses to you.o
.sThat homely and disagreeable Major Sim
| clair, SUPPOSE" said Fannie, scornfully.
s'No, my dear, it is not. 1t was that hand
some and very agreeable Mr.. Charles Ray.
| What do you think of that i''
| To her fathers surprise, Fannie's counte-
nance fell her rosebud lips showed very
| perceptible pout, and frown actually gath
| cred on her smooth, open brow.
s.Think Z" she repeated, with disdainful
toss of the head, 81 think he came on FOOLS
errand that is what thinks
ssHoity, toity!'' exclaimed the old gentle
man, with puzzled air. ssWhat has come
| over you now 1t seems that you have
| changed your opinion very suddenly.''
ssAs Mr.. Ray never took the trouble to ask
| my opinion, it can matter very little to him if
l have,'' retorted Fannie.
80, ho there is where the shoe pinches. is
| it 7'' said Judge Clifton. laughing. swell,
never mind, my dear, he is coming here to-
| day to talk with you about it. / have given
| him my full permission
| "Without which he would have stayed a.
| way, suppose" said Fanny, in. an under
| tone.
ssWhat is that my dear 2" inquired. the old
Judge who was little deaf.
| 81 said that it will not be convenient for
me TO see Mr.. Ray,'' said Fannie, in louder
| voice. sHe may come if he chooses, but
| cannot be at home"
s'Fannie," said Judge Clifton, sterDly:
| ''what is the meaning of this folly OF course
you win receive him.. Mr.. Ray is a worthy
and honorable man, and / shall insist that he
| shall be treated civilly.''
81 suppose the next thing you will be in
sisting on my having him for husband,'' she
returned, her eyes filling with this unwonted
| harshuess in her indulgent father.
"My dear cbild,'' said the Judge, kindly,
touched by the evident grief of his daughter,
though unable TO understand the cause, 81
| shall insist on no such thing. really sup
posed you had a partiality for the young man,
| and was glad of it, for l entertain a very
| high opinion of him. Only remember that l
desire you to see him this evening, and tell
| him yourself"
| u
| pressing nature called Fannie over to her Sis
| ter's tn at evening, much to her lovers dIsap-
/ pointment and her fathers chagrin, who was
| quite mystified at his daughters conduct.
| "Only to think, Mary said Fannie, as she
drew chair up to the table where her sister
was sewing, ssthat Charlesl Ray has asked pa
| pas permission to visit me"
| swell it's just what l expected" replied
Mary, quietly.
| "What! without word to me about it ?''
| 81 suppose he was pretty well informed of
your sentiments in regard to him." said her
sister smiling.
| swell, he will find himself mistaken if he
| little lady with dignity. 81 have no idea OF
| being bargained for like a piece of merchan-
| disc 7''
"Why, Fannie 1 really thought that you
| liked Charley. 1 am sure it was very proper
and honorable in him to ask papa's permission
| before speaking to you."
every proper, i dare say said Fannie
scornfuily. ssBut can't abide these proper
! people that always do everything by rule. /
suppose if papa had refused, he would have
walked away as whipped spaniel, and never
come near me-"
."How ridiculous, Fannie. Papa thinks q
gread deal of Mr.. Ray. l heard him say only
the other day, that he would rather have him
for a son-in-law than any one he knew"
ssHe thinks great deal more OF him than
do, thcn,'' was Fannie's scornful rejoinder.
oI have no idea of havinga husband picked
out for me. ] can make my own selection.
And would rather never marry, than to have
for my husband such tame, spritless 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 preference,
which would no doubt, in time, have ripened
into warmer feeling; never giving him a
chance of seeing or speaking with her alone.