The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1860-07-31

1
try town, entitled her to one Of the fore
most places among the village aristocra-
cy, and as Annie was her only daugh-
ter, and would inherit all her property
eventually, she felt that it would be a
decided misall,ance for her to marry any
other than a rich man, or, if not rich, a
member Of one of the learned profess
ions.
So, when John Wyman ventured to
broach the subject to her, she said, not
unkindlv, but still very firmly, /" No.
Mr.. Wyman, cannot give my consent"
Have you heard anything against
my character ?" asked John, in tone of
great disappointment.
:" Not at ALL" said Mrs. Grafton. l
believe you to be a very correct and es-
timable young man, but Annie is enti-
tied to look higher"
That is what Mrs. Grafton said, in
substance, in response to every appeal
the young man made, and he was finally
obliged to retire from the conference in
despair.
But where mans wisdom tails woman s
wit often steps in and avails much.
When Annie heard from her lover the
report of his conference, she leaned her
head on her dimpled hand, and said with
smile
We won't give up"
"What do you really think you can
bring your mother round % said John.
eagerly.
81 have strong hopes. know my
mother better than you do, John, and |
can arrange some way or other to man
age her. | don't exactly see yet, but
I'll set myself athinking, and l guess
something or other will turn up
But if there shouldn't, Annie, do
you think it right that that should sepa.
rate US? Won't you promise to be mine
at any rate %
!" No, John. l won't promise to do
that. l should not want to leave my
mother alone"
"Then | am afraid" said John, de-
spondingly, 4" that there is no hope for
u.s."
"Fie, John, do you mstrust my pow
err" said Annie. shaking her head at
him. "If that's the case, I've great
mind to say won't marry you, even if
mother does consent"
" Anything but that, Annie, but you
know when once your mother gets her
mind made up about anything, she ism t
apt to give up very easily.
81 know that my mother has some
strong points of character, and it is one
of these that rely upon for success. l
won't tell you anything about it just yet,
but III let you know before it comes off
With this agreement the two separat-
ed-John not knowing whether to hope
or despond, but he felt that if ever An
ME became his wife it must be through
The result of her stratagem.
1t was. perhaps, week after the con
versation detailed above. Annie had
taken her mothers decision quite calm
ly, much TO that lady's satisfaction, for
she loved her daughter, and would have
been panied to see her greve.
This particular morning Annie was
unaccountably careless. She managed
to break a pane of glass in the sitting
room, without the slightest apparent ne
cessity for so doing. As it was cold
day in November, and this was the room
where they usually sat, it was matter
which must be remedied at once.
There, we shall have TO send for Mr.
Wyman to come and put in new pane, /"
said her mother.
:" have got an errand down in the
village" said Annie, demurely-" | will
call and tell him to come up"
"You had better do So" said her
mother, and tell him to make haste Ugh!
we shall catch our death of cold if it
isn't put in at once"
Yes, mother" said Annie.
:" declare. don't see how you came
to do it, child" continued her mother
=" suppose must have been very
careless" said Anne. penitently.
"Well, what's done can't be undone,
and | suppose We must expect such
things to happen once in while"
Meanwhile Annie was putting on her
bonnet and shawl, and at once bent her
steps to John Wyman's shop.
He was planning a board when she en-
tered. lie look up with an air of glad
surprise.
Annie explained her errand, and like
wise added few words, the purport Of
which our readers will learn in rgood
time.
In about twenty minutes, Mrs. Graf
ton saw John Wymau advancing up the
graveled walk that led to the door.
Your daughter left word" said he,
"that you've got a job in my line this
morning"
Yes" says Mrs. Grafton, and I'm
glad you've come SO promptly. 1t isn't
very comfortable, in this cold weather,
TO have broken pane
Whereabouts is il ?" said John, in a
matter Of fact way.
In the setting. room. Walk right in
there"
Mrs. Grafton did not fail to observe
that Annie had not come with her late
lover, as she feared she might, and in
her heart she commended her daughters $
prudence.
Il am glad she knows what is good