Juliet signal., 1861-07-02

y
That do not question, said the visitor
with slow attempt at gallautry-
'l am inclined to think he will, before
be goes thought Matilda.
Looking at her fingers she remarked,
cumposedly, as if she, for the first time ob
served the stain of ink, al hope you viii
excuse the appearance of my fingers, but
have been writing all morning. and /
couldn't remove all traces of the ink"
You were writing letters, presume ?"
said Stephen.
20. not at all. / was writing an article
on 'Woman's Rights for the 'Bugle of
Freedom
Mr. jenkins startled uneasily.
Il suppose you are in the habit of see
ing that paper" said Matilda.
"No," said be stiffly.
"Ah you don't know what you lose
Composed and edited entirely by females.
but perhaps"
Matilda interrupted herself to ring the
bell. 'Jane," said she to the servant,
''you may 60 up stairs and bring down a
manuscript. which you will find on my ts-
bie."
"a what. ma'mi"
"a manuscript-a sheet Of paper with
writing on it. Poor jane" she continued
after the servant had gore out, "she would
not be so ignorant, if man had not denied
to us women, the advantages of education
which he claims for himself"
By this time Jane had returned with the
manuscript.
"lf you would like, Mr.. Jenkins, will
read you what have written"
Mr.. jenkins looked dismayed, but man.
aged TO utter a feeble-"O, certainly"
Matilda, in very emphatic manner,
begun to read as follows:
Mrs. Eduor,-Permit me again to raise
my voice in trumpet tones, against the
despotic rule of man, over our down trod-
den sex. Enlighted as we are disposed to
consider the present generation, is it not e
disgrace, and burning shame, that men
should monOpolize all the Offices of honor
and profit, aud leave to his equal-shall l
not say his superior. in point of intellect
only few undesirable and laborious POSTS
What, l say, is the reason, that men sho'd
take upon themselves to govern, and expect
us meekiy TO submit TO tie yoke which
they seek to impose upon US? Why should
we not see female president in the chair
of state, and"
This is all had written, Mr. Jenkins,
when you came," said Matilda, breaking
OF from the reading. "You will easily
understand the idea that l was about to
develope; and, | have no doubt you will
agree with me-"
"Do you really think, Mis- Parker, that
there should be no distinction in point of
occupation between men and women ?" ex-
claimed the sedate Stephen horror struck.
why should there be?" said Matilda,
with spirit. "Do you doubt whether wo-
man has an intellect equal II that of
MANI"
is there female Shakes peare ?" asked
Mr. jenkins
Yes" said Matilda promptly
Did you never read Mrs. Browning's
poems?"
81 can't say that I have" returned
Stephen.
"Ah, then, shall have the pleasure of
making you acquainted with her,"
She rang the bell.
Jane" she said, ego up TO my room and
bring down the book you will fnd on the
table"
! Jane did SO.
| 1--WE have az hour before dinner it
/ seems" said Matilda, looking at the watch
lin what way can we better improve it,
than by perusing together this noble mon
ument of genius ?"
Mr.. jenkins looked terrified but before
he had time to raise any objection, Matilda
| had commenced.
She read aloud faithfully for the hour
referred tot seemed three hours to the
unhappy Stephen-who had not the slight
est apprehension of poetry of any descrip
| ton.
lie was quite delighted when the dinner
bell rang and SO was Matilda, in her Sc
cret heart.
al am afraid" said she, eve shall have
to rest from our reading till after dinner,
but BY commencing Immediately after
wards we may get quarter through by
tea time.
"IIow many pages are there in the
poem ?" the young man inquired hesita-
tingly.
'0nly little more than four hundred, j"
was the encouraging reply.
The dinner proved to be not very social
meal. Matilda confined herself entirely to
literary subjects, aud evaded all attempts
to change the topic.
Good gracious !" thought the young
man, "and this was the young girl I was to
marry. I'd as soon marry a dictionary,
although she is pretty, but then a strong
minded woman l should be talked to
death in less thar month"
Stephen Jenkins stopped two days but
at the end Of that time, announced that be
should not be able to remain longer Dur.
ing that time the poor man had heard more
poetry than ever before in his life, and haG
conceived deadly hatred against the W hole
tribe of female authoresses, particularly
Mrs Browning.
"Where is Mr.. Jenkins Z" inquired Mr.
Parker On his return
"Gone, uncle" said Matilda.
''Gonei Where did he got"
"He only stopped couple Of days"
"Why he was to have stopped a week
What was the matter with him 2''
81 think he was disappointed in me,
said Matilda, demurely.
"Did be leave no message for me 2"
"Here is note, uncle"
Mr.. Parker hastily broke open the mis-
sive, and read as follows:
My DEAR SIR,-In order to prevent mis-
understanding, ] ought to say that don
/ think it will be well to adhere to the fool
ish compact, which was entered into some
thing since, in regard to my marriage witt
, your neice.
Though very charming young lady,
? don't think that our tastes are at all con.
genial, and l hereby remove any preten
sions may be supposed to have had, t
her hand. RegTetting not to have had th
pleasure of seeing you,
IL remain, very respectfully,
"STEPHEN JENKINS"
why the PUPPY has had the audacit
to remove his pretensions to your hand J!
exclaimed the indignant uncle.
: Then can't be married H' inquiries
Matilda In comical appointment
A Yes, yeu shall marry the FIRST man tha
r offers"
1t is very remarkable, that on the YER
: next day Edward Manly should have askei
Mr. Parker a permission 70 address hi
niece-a nermission which uos at opaa a.