The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-02-13

Il ulu nOu lnUSnu 10 cry, muIuluitu
poor Mary, "but indeed, [ could not hep
it ~
"I tell you what, Mrs. Tompkins, Ju
nior," said the old lady, wrathfully, "we
may as we'll come to an understanding at
first as last. Zephaniah and me amt
rich and we've big family of our own,
and now that poor, dear Henry, our elder
boy has been dead and gone year." here
Mrs. Tompkins, mechanically, pulled out
a red pocket handkerchief, and made a
random dab at her eyes, 81 don't see that
you have any very particular claims on
US ! So you'd better look out for stu
alton as governess, or to do some plain
sewing, or something, as soon as you can,
for to speak my mind, you've been spon-
gin on US about long enough"
Mrs. Tompkins stopped, with her
mouth shut together like a steel trap
Her daughter-in law had grown very pale.
"And while | am about it, continued
the old lady, "I may as well say that
Hetty don't like it because you insist on
stayin' in the parlor every time Colonel
Radcliffe calls. He's worth cool half
million, Zephaniah says, and if our Hetty
makes catch of him, why the family
fortunes as good as made. Of course,
when Hetty is Mrs. Col. Redcliffe, you
won't expect her to notice you much
she may give you some SEWN to do once
in a while, but My gracious
there's his carriage at the door this min
ute And he was here on y yesterday.
Biddy run up and tell Miss Hetty to
put on her pink dress, and take her curls
out of the papers-Col. Redclife's at the
door You can sit in the kitchen while
he's here, Mary, and peel the potatoes for
dinner, if it isn't too common work tor
them lily fingers. Hetty don't want you
pryin' round when her beau's here Run
quick ~
And as Mrs Tompkins, Jr., disappear
ed, Mrs. Tompkins, Sr., opened the door
with a simpering smile.
"Dear me, Colonel Redcliffe, who'd
have thought of seeing you !? Do walk
in-we're highly honored, I'm sure y
Col. Radcliffe was tall, elegant look
ing man, whose wealth and station in So
ciety fully warranted the calm dignity
with which he bowed to Mrs. Tompkin's
adulation.
"rake a seat on the sofa, Colonel p
chattered Mrs. Tompkins. "Won't you
sitsa little nearer the fire Not cold, eh
Well, it amt so freezing-like as it was
Yesterday, to be sure l hope you won't
get impatient" she giggled, "Hettyll
be down in a minute" :"
"Who will be down p inquired Colo
mel Redcliffe, looking up from the book
he was carelessly turning over, with some
astonishment expressed in his fine tea-
lures.
"Hetty-my daughter :"
81 Ibes your pardon" said the Colonel,
quietly, "there is some mistake here. L
called to see your daug hter-in-law, Hrs.
TonasAins %
''Harry's wife, gasped the mama-in
law.
"And." added Colonel Redcliffe. Gas
you are the nearest relative and guardian
at present, it may be well for me to men
ton to you that | intend making her an
offer of marriage Her beauty and grace
render her fit wife for any man, and l
am proud to think that have won her
affections OF course | may reckon on
your sanction and approval ''
"Ye-yesl" !" suffered Mrs. Tompkins,
who was completely taken aback by this
sudden overthrow of all her Aladdin Wis
ions concerning her red-haired daughter,
Hetty. However, even if Colonel Red
cliffe's palatial establishment wasn't for
daughter Hetty," still it was something
to keep so much wealth in the family
"I'll call her." she said, humidly, slip
ping out of the room, just in time to ar
rest the triumphant entry of Miss Hetty,
with her curls all in a quiver of hair oil
and cologne.
"Go back, Hetty" she exclaimed in
stage whisper, "you're not the one that's
wanted It's Harry's wife p
And she shot down stairs as fast as
possible.
s.NIary, DEAR she said in the softest
of tones, "you're not peelin' potatoes :
Well, you always were so obliging Give
me a kiss, love-I always did say Harry's
wife was just like my own daughter =
Now run up stairs into the parlor and see
what Colonel Redcliffe has to say to you
Mrs Harry Tompklns was uncertain at
first whether her respectable mother-ln-
law was not little demented. Never
before had she listened to such softly af-
fectionate syllables from the old lady, and
she went up stairs like one in dream
"And when will you be mine, dearest 2"
was the parting question of Colonel Red
cliffe, as he held that fair young widow
to his heart.
Poor Mary. it was so long since she