The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1862-05-01
Playing the Vixen.
BY CAROLINE F. GROVER.

BY CAROLINE F. GROVER.
Captain Goddard was retired sea-
captain, who, having accumulated a
very respectable share of this worlds
goods, and having moreover pretty
daughter to look after, decided to pass
the remnant of his days, quietly, on
land.
His daughter, have said, was pret-
ty. I might add, that she was very
pretty. When she reached the age of
eighteen, there was more than one
young gentleman in town who would
willingly have relieved her of her name,
and counted it no sacrifice.
Young ladies are apt to have their
preferences, however Emma Goddard
had hers. 1t SO happened that she en-
countered, more than once, young
lawyer named Henry Foster, who had
just commenced practice in the next
town, and the intimacy had become SO
established, that at length the latter
ventured to propose.
Emma accepted him for her own
part, but suggested that it would be
well not to mention the subject to her
father just yet, as he had temper of
his own, and might very probably re-
fuse at once. She counseled her lover
to wait till they should have time to be-
come acquainted, and her father favor
ably impressed.
Meanwhile, Capt. Goddard had plans
of his own for his daughter. In early
life he had been very intimate with a
school companion, who had now been
dead some years, and left son, now
grown to a young man.
Captain Goddard had never seen
this young man, but had, with his usual
impetuosity, decided that, as his
daughter was now of marriageable
age, the son of his friend should be her
husband. I..-
Having resolved upon a thing, he
was always impatient till it was carried
out. He accordingly dispatched note
to the young man, inviting him to his
house, and receiving prompt accept
ance, with the day of his arrival fixed,
he condescended to mention the fact to
his daughter.
Emma soon made her appearance.
What is it, father?' she asked.
How old are you now ?" asked her
father abruptly. a-r- g.. a.-..
"Going on nineteen" she answered
playfully.
$50 / thought. Well, Emma, I've
come to the conclusion, that it is about
time for you to get married."
"Have you?" said Emma, suddenly
interested. "How long are you going
to give me to hunt up husband ?"
mo trouble on that point. I've got
one in my eye"
"You have" said Emma in dismay.
eyes, Would you like to know now
who it is?'
"Ye-yes." = e.
I" It's Hamilton jones, son of my old
friend John Jones-who used to 60 to
school with me-"
"What-Hamilton
"No, of course not; his father.
Well, I've sent for him. He will be
here-let me see, to.day's Tuesday
he'll be here day after tomorrow"
"Does he know he's to marry ME p
inquired Emma, demurely. go ioH
Not yet, but / shall tell him."
"Did you ever see him?"
"No." r. gr,.q;g sa.ef
perhaps he's homely."
"What if he is? the homeliest men
make the best husbands"
81 believe you were very good hus-
band, father"
"Hush, you jade! / do believe
you're laughing at me. Yes, | was a
good husband but then l don't mean
to deny that some who are not homely
are capable of being such. That's all
l wanted to say to you. Yon must
prepare to receive Hamilton Jones as
your future husband. So look your
prettiest by Thursday"
"But father" said Emma, changing
her tone, :" l really don't want to be
married" ea sos
"Don't want to be married ! That's
all bosh. / never knew young girl
yet that didn't want to be married"
"But / really don't"
"Then you shall. Do you think
am going to have any old maids in my
famiiy?"
"But," suggested Emma, with a
sudden thought, "perhaps he won't
have me.
"No fear of that. You're good
looking-inherit all my good looks
he'll be glad of the chance.
But suppose he should not ?'' per
sisted Emma.
"There's no supposing such a case
However, if he shouldn't choose te
marry my daughter, when I've taker
the trouble to send for him for that par
tioular purpose, why, I'll-T'll-"