Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-10-31
course dress your wife richly; Miss Waters is

course dress your wife richly; Miss Waters il
| accustomed to such things.''
"I-suppose-so,' faltered the old gentle
man. "Does it cost much to dress wife ?''
| "Not great deal. | believe their silk dres
ses are only hundred or two dollars each
GA hundred dollars each!'' Mr.. Moss grew
livid as he thought of the number of times he
had seen May clad in silken apparel.
s:And my sisters velvet cloak was only
eighty dollars-and every lady wears four bon.
nets year, at sixteen or seventeen dollars
each AS for jewery, you are expected, as
matter of course, to give her diamonds for q
bridal present. Diamonds are rather costly
but for such pretty young wife"
ssStop, STOP" groaned the old gentleman
sIs it really true 20
"True ~ said Charley with an air of injured
innocence. "Ask any lady if it isn't 7''
ssI feel faint,'' said Moss, starting up. "I
think it's very hot here the open air would
do me good, especially as the rain is over.
And, say, Mr.. Copeland
ssWcll,' said Charley, with polite interest.
ssYou needn't spread abroad that foolish re-
port about my getting married; it is a mis-
take there's nothing at all in it.. IL have
MT taken any decisive steps on the subject
And he shuffied out, muttering to himself,
s'My stars what an escape I've had (! A box
at the our-bonnets-a-year -
Charley smiled complacently as he shut the
door after the old Cr9sus.
81 believe the coast is clear in that quarter -
said he to himself, ssand my dear little May
will be saved from rich old mser of a hus-
band.''
And he put on his hat and went round 10
Mrs. Waters house. The matron received
him courteously, but coolly-sne was evident
ly disappointed that it was not somebody else ;
but May blushed the softest, rosiest crimson,
and gave his hand tiny, encouraging squeeze.
swell, Mrs. Waters,'' said he, in 4 few min
utes, after one or two preliminary topics had
been duly discussed, 81 had a visit at my Of
flee, this evening, from your friend, Mr.. Moss"
"Ah,' quoth the lady, graciously, 'sdid he
say that he was coming round here tonight ~
.sNot exactly-he said something quite diff
ferent that there was nothing at all in the re-
port of his marriage--it was mistake.''
Mrs. Waters bridled up in the chair and
turned an indignant scarlet. ~
sIndeed We are very much obliged to him
for his kind explanations. Pray who said
there ,ras anything in it Ny daughter isn't
obliged to go begging for a husband, l hope."
Scan 1 have her, Mrs. Waters ?'' asked
Charley, sliding one arm around the taper
waist, and attacking the citadel with bravery
worthy of Garibaldi himself.
ssCan have Charley, mammal" murmured
May, bringing up her troops to the rescue.
1t was propitious moment for the young
people, Mrs. Waters was determined that old
Moss should see May could get married with
out any of his help.
ssYou are both silly children said she, s'but
have it your own way r.-r
And when old Mr.. Moss heard that Charles
Copeland and May Waters were to be welded
soon, he thought with sigh of the beautiful
blue eyes, but straghtway added in his own
mind
'sI'm glad didn't make such fool Of my
self! She would have been my ruin and dis
traction in less than a monh! Newport and
Saratoga! Diamonds and velvet cloaks! How
lucky it is L remained bachelor 20 4