The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1861-07-25

| "Dear me, Mr. IhOrnbrOke-prav
excuse me-but what on earth is the
matter with your elbow ?''
Mark turned scarlet-the tra;torous
pin had deserted its post. -
SONY a compound fracture in my
coat, Miss Allen" said he, feeling as
though his face might do the duty of
Raymond's chandeliers both put to-
gether, "you know we bachelors are
not expected to be exempt from such
things" e.-.a e.t, r.........' -
Hold your arm, sir, and I'll make it
all right in one moment" said Ester. in
stantly producing from some secret re-
cess in the folds of her dress athimble
and needle threaded with black silk,
and setting expertly to work mending
the rent. ,,.-.,.i,
"There, now, Mr.. Thornbroke, con
slider yourself whole p .,f.s
"How very skillful you are," said
Mark, admiringly after he had thanked
her most sincerely, "but then, you have
SO many nice little concerns to work
with. Now l have only a needle and
some wax, besides my scissors !'' -.
"You ought to have housewife, Mr..
Thornbroke," said Miss Lille, timidly
lifting up her long lashes in his direc-
ton. Lilly never could look at Thorn
broke without soft little rosy shadow
on her cheek.
GA what?" demanded Mark, turning
very red.
GA housewife -
eyes," said Mark, after moments
awkward hesitation, ''my-my friends
have told me so very often-and l real
ly think so myself, you know. But
what sort of housekeeper would you
recommend, Miss Raymond %
ooh, any pretty little concern. I'll
send you one in the morning, if you'll
accept it," she added, with rosy light
upon her cheeks again.
"If-I'll-aecept!" said Mark, feel
ing as if he was in the atmosphere of
gold and pearl, with two wings sprout-
ing out of his broadcloth on either
side. And just as he was opening his
lips to assure Miss Lilly that he was
ready to take the precious gift in his
arms then and there, without any un-
necessary delay, the door opened, and
in walked that detestable Jones. .,
Mark was not at all canibalistic in
his propensities, but just then he could
have eaten Jones up with uncommon
pleasure. And there the fellow sat,
pulling his long mustaches and talking
the most insipid twaddle-sat and sat
until Mark rose in despair to go. Even
then he had no opportunity to exchange
a private word with Lilly.
"You-you'll not forget" SSH
"Oh, I'll be sure to remember" said
she, smilingly, and half wondering at
that unusal pressure he gave her hand.
''Ladies often provide their bachelor
friends So"
Mark went home the happiest indi-
vidual that ever trod New York pave.
ment Indeed, so great was his feliei-
ty that he indulged in various gymnas-
tic capers, indicative of bliss, and only
paused in them at the gruff caution OF
a policeman, who probably had forgot
ten his own courting days-"Come
young man, what are you about %
Was there ever more delicate way
of assuring me of her favorable consid
eration? Was there ever more fem
mime admission of her sentiment! OF
course she will come herself, an angel
breathing airs from Paradise, and
shall tell her of my love. A housewife
oh, the delicious words Wonder in
what neighborhood she would like me
to engage residence-how soon i
would be best to name the day! Oh
if l should awake and find it all bliss
full dream!'
Early the next morning Mr. Thorn
broke set briskly to work, "righting NJ
things" How he swept, and busted
and secured the room was then airet
to get rid of the tobacco smoke, ant
sprinkled with cologne, and beautifiet
; generally, and at length, when the dus
. was all swept into one corner, and Gov
cred by carelessly disposed newspa
per, he found the window glass murky
and polished it with such vengeanc
5 that his fist, handkerchief and all wen
: through, sorely damaging the hand, an,
} necessitating the ungraceful accessory
g of an old hat to keep ont the wintr
blast for the time being. However
v even this mishap did not long daun
e his spirits, for wasn't Lilly coming.
e Long and YEARLY he waited, yet n
ringing of the bell gave warning of he
s approach. "It's all her sweet feminin
i modesty,' thought he, and was conten
P At length there was an appeal below
d and Marks heart jumped up into hi
d mouth, beating like revile drum. II
r rushed to the door, but there was n
one but grinning little black boy, wit
box.
l. "Miss Raymond's compliments, an
y here's de housewife, SIR" -. r. <
r "The housewife, you little imp
r. Erebus % said Mark.
b eyes, sir, in de box, all right" .
v Mark skunk back into the room an
ie opened the box, half expecting to see
k young lady issue from it, a la Arabs
.e Nights; but no; it was only a lit
blue velvet book, and full of odd cor
,e partments in azure silk, containing tap
,e needles, scissors, silk, thimble ar
ID all the nice little workable accessorie
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