Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-03-05

!" Who will be down ?'' inquired CoonelRed
| elite, looking up from the book he was care
lessiy turning over, with some astonishment
expressed in his fine features.
''Hetty-my daughter 20
81 beg your pardon,'' said the Colonel
! quietly, ''there is some mistake here. | call
ed to see your daughter in-aw Mrs. Mary
| Tompkins.''
'Harry's wiie'' gasped ont the mamma-in-
| law.
"And, !" added Col. Redclife. ssas you are
Inc nearest re lative and guardian at present, it
may be well for me to mention to you that
intend making her an offer OF marriage Her
beauty and grace render her a fit wife for any
man, and | am proud to think that have won
| her affections. OF course may reckon upon
your sanction and approval 90
"fe-yes ~ suffered Mrs Tompkins, who
WAS completely taken aback by this sudden
overthrow of all her Aladdin visions concern
ing herred- haired daughter, Hetty However,
even If Colonel Redcliffe's palatal establish
ment wasn't for "daughter Hetty,'' still it
was something to keep so much wealth in the
family.
81 II call her." she said, humidity slipping
out OF the room, just in time to arrest the tri-
umphant entry of Miss Hetty, with her curIs
all IN quiver of oil and cologne
s'Go back, Hetty!'' she exc laimed in a stage
whisper, ''you're not the one that s wanted !
it's Harry's wife -
And she shot down stairs as fast as pos
sible.
"Mary dear - she said in the softest of
tones, you're not peelin' potatoes Well,
you always were so obIging Give me n kiss
love-I always did say Harry's wife was Just
ike my own daughter! Now run up stairs
into the parlor and see what Col Redcliffe has
to say to sou -
Mrs Harry TompkinS was uncertain at first
whether her respectable mother-iu law was not
a little demented. Never before had she
listened TO such softly afectionate sylabes
from the old lady, and she went up stairs like
one in a dream
''And when may call you mine. dearest! ~
was the parting question of Col. Redclife as
he held that fair young widow to his heart.
Poor Mary il was long since she had
heard the accents of love and kindness, and
now to be the chosen bride of one to whom
the world looked in admration-ah, it seemed
too much happiness
'Remember, shall not wait long 20 he
added, careSsingly smoothing down the jetty
tresses. 1.-The sooner 1 take you away from
this vulgar and uncongenial atmosphere, the
better 20
''Vulgar and uncongnnal - gasped Mrs.
Tempkins, who was listning at the keyhole.
'sWell, never!''
''Mary, DEAR she said that evening. 81
shall be very sorry to lose you. You've always
been just like my own child, hav'nt you
Come and kiss me, there's a love-and be sure
you don't forget your poor dear main law
when you re married to Col. Redciffe Het
~, come here congratulate your dear sister /!
wouldn't have given you up to any body
else, but Colonel Redcliffe is man that de- |
serves you 20
Mary smiled quiety-she was of too gentle |
and forgiving nature to resent even the hy- |
pocracy of her mother in law-and in the |
bright future, opening before her, she had for |
giveneSs for ali.
F'Harry's wife is going to be married. - said |
Mrs. Tompkins, TO one of her gossipS soon |
after.
"What that lazy, indolent, good for moth
ing
''Hush-sh-sh! ~ cried the old lady, clapping
lcr hand over Mrs. Sykes mouth. .'that was all |
| mistake She's dear, sweet love ~
''Ohi" said Mrs. Sykes. ssthen conclude
she's going to marry rich -
''1es." said Mrs. Tompkins compacently.
'It will be such trial to part with her.''
And such is the weakness of poor human ma
ure that the good old lady had actually be-
ieved what she said.