Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-05-26
ONLY WAITING FOR AN OFFER.
by MARTHA II. BUTT.


From "Lesure Moments"
"What nonsensical shallow -patcd concern
that James Atkinson is. | declare. if | were
Lucy Bowers, he should not walk in the street
with me. How fantasticay he lifts his hat he
Just does it to show his kids, which, by the way,
makes his hands look like stuffed bags. He
cannot meet any one when he is with Lucy
Bowers, without saying, 'Ah Miss Lucy, what
distingue air Mr. So and So has; and what a
degree of hddeW Miss l.. possesses You see
he only does this to make Lucy believe that he
knows how to speak French, and I'll wager he
does not know the meaning of the words he
uses | believe his whole thought is upon dress,
and | know he practices his gestures whole
day before the glass. There they come now
only see his manGuvres If ! were Lucy, !
would push him off the sidewalk. | see him
casting his gances up this way--he only wants
to see if any one is looking at him; if he only
knew what perfect eye-sore he is to me, he
would certainly not pass here so often. | do
declare, would not have him, if he were the
last man in the world-no, not If felt assured
| would die an old maid 1t is no manner cf
use for young lady to sacrifice herself for the
sake of getting married; as for my part, | go
in for handsome, sensible gentlemen
"Why, Gertrude! you astonish me. Why
do you speak thus of Mr. Atkinson? l lam sure
he is not shallow -pated, as you said just now,
for he graduated with the highest honors; l do
not think it very likely that he would have at
tanned the Valedictory if he were numskull.
| would be willing to stake anything that there
is not young lady in the city myself not ex-
cepted) who would refuse the offer of such a
gentleman as Mr. At,insan" "
"Oh, that is just the way with you, Kate; if
boy has been to college, it matters not if he
stay but single day, you think he must of ne
cessity be Plato or Socrates"
"No, Gertrude, YOU are mistaken. | know
too much about Mr. Atkinson to sanction the
eulogiums which you passed upon him just
now"
Gertrude and Kate Manning were sisters ;
there was all the difference in the world between
tween them. Gertrude was certainly one of the
most enyious persons in the world if any of
her associates (even her most intimate friends)
should eclipse her in any way, she would direct
| ly say something against them. Envy was her
most predominant trait-it seemed to take pos
session of her completely. She had very fire.
quently heard of the attentions of Mr. Atkinson
to Lucy Bowers, and always felt jealousy aris-
ing whenever she saw them. Atkinson was Il
young gentleman of fine talents, and withal very
accomplished his manners were exceedingly
refined and winning. Gertrude knew all this,
and being among that number of young ladies'
who have no admirers, never liked to see any
one have them.
Kate was quite the contrary; she always
treated every one kindly, and was not all dis
posed to be Jealous. Every one could but love
her, for she was so gentle and good. Why, of
ten she would speak to her sister about the
manner in which she expressed herself with re
gard to people, and assured her that it would
never gain her any friends but Gertrude never
listened to word she had to say on any occa-
| hnty to hr;r ;,s
to justify her remarks. Kate felt that all her
advice was useless-that deaf ear was turned
to all she said
"There has been quite change in the state
of affairs said Mr. Manning as he sat at tea.
"What do you mean, papa?" said Gertrude.
"What do mean? Why mean that Miss
Lucy Bowers is to be married next week.
81 thought So" replied Gertrude. II knew
that she and that dummy James Atkinson would
make it up. Well all have to say is, she viii
get man without any brains"
you are mistaken. Getty; she is not to mar
ry Mr. Atkinson"
"Well, thought after all, that Lucy would
see the folly of marrying that BOBBY"
"That booby, indeed James Atkinson is nc
BOBBY. l tell you; he is a very accomplished
and sensible gentleman. Have you ever beer
in his companyP"
"Never.'
"Well, some evening will invite him up
At this remark, Gettys eyes frightened up
little, for she had never had a beau in her life
nor is it very probable she would ever NEE
with the luck to have an admirer, for no one
could admire her, but she might manage to in
duce some one to think that he loved her.
"Papa, do tell me who the gentleman is tC
whom Lucy is to- be married.
"Mr Frank jennings"
Crank Jennings he is charming young
gentleman-I admire her taste very much;
great goose she would be to marry that james
Atkinson. l am thinking he will have to wal
some time before he is married, for no ont
would have him anyhow"
"Ah! Getty, would not trust the girls.
will go SO far as to say, that would not trus
even YOU"
"Even me- had as lief be an old maid al
to marry him; indeed, | would prefer it thou
sand times"
swell, Gertrude, Mr. Atkinson will call W
this evening, and as your sister is out of town
the whole of the entertainment will fall prett,
much upon yourself"
"Oh papa! what did you invite that bore VI
here for ? declare do not wish to see him."
"Never mind; you must entertain him to thu
best of your ability, as have invited him VI
to see YOU"
Evening came. Mr. Atkinson called at thu
residence of Mr. Manning. He was introduced
to Miss Gertrude, with whom he was left M
Manning stated that he had some little busnes
which would detan him in the library, but woult
Join them in a little while.
Gertrude did her best; all the smiles sh
could muster up were put on that evening"
She, of course, wished to make deep impres
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