The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-07-25

L
spite Of SO much rivalry
But Roses match was the one that gave
her mother the most trouble. Arthur Har-
Ian was not willing to be subdued by the
simplicity Of country girl, and the struggle
was protracted; but Rose was very lovely.
and her beauty, seconded so ably by her
kconly discerning adviser, who rendered every
charm Of her daughters doubly effective,
was too powerful an influence for the swell
posted" young man of the world to resist !;
and tho Irritation hc had the tcmerity to en-
gage in with Rose, ended in marriage, and
tho greatest Of Mrs. Martha Keenly's tri'
jumps.
When Victoria learned that her mothers
mind was set upon keeping her single, she
began to regard herself as neglected and
misused individual, and she complained us
bitterly rs she would have done had her par
cnt attempted to compel her to marry some
one she did not fancy.
you have shown great partiality. think,
ma she said.
Toward YOU, my dear, for was as anx-
ious to get rid OF your sisters as | am to re-
tain you
But what shall do If you should die?
shall bc left alone in cold world, unless
ono of my sisters should take compassion on
me and send for me to nurse her children
Why should act as nurse to anothers chill
dren. or be left desolate among strangers in
a selfish worldT
Il will leave you q handsome income, my
child. l am sorry you are so bent upon mar.
riagc, for really there is not an eligible bach
elor or widowcr within the circle Of my NC.
quaintance, except the minister
Mr.. Floritone?
The young Episcopalian.'
well, | am sure no one could ask for n
better man than he /; he is adorcd by his con.
grcsation.'
Especially by the female portion of it.
That makes it bad for YOU
Il have very often thought Of joining his
church.
Fifty young ladies have done 1t already,
from motives equally pious and aspiring. A
saint is not so easily caught by means he is
so familiar with. Drunkards and libertincs
marry women for their piety, because they
think they can abuse such with impunity |;
but saints are generally impellcd by other
motives, often as unworthy. Mr.. Floritonc,
however. is yet young and sincere, and raised
by his enthusiasm above base and pecuniary
considerations
You offer me no encouragement or advice,
as you did my sisters. There must be, they
say, one old maid in family, and SEQ you
are resolved that the fatality shall visit me.
| think it is very hard-ycry unjust.
Victoria began to give vent to her feelings
in tears, and her mother, much amused by
such comic despair, replied:
Il refuse you no advice, Vic, and only tell
you how you cannot win the minister
.Will you tell me how camp
You must first make great impression
upon him.
by what mcans?'
1
by sho king him.
'lIow?'
There are many ways in which you could
do it, but to adapt yourself to his profession,
suppose you had better blasphcmc.'
What? don't understand you''
There arc some forms he holds.as sacred
as essential abuse, outrage them 30 that he
will have to preach sermon on the subject.
Hear it {; let it soften you, and make him u
handsome oral nmendc. Continue still
great and very interestingsinner have many
touching scenes with him, and be sure your
hardness is not wholly dissolved till he is
melted too. This is u mere outline Of your
plan of campaign, but can fiji it up II you
think you can fight through it.
Victoria was startled by her mothers coun-
sci, but the more she meditated upon 1t the
more promising and feasible II appeared to
her. She entered upon its fulfillment with
fear and trembling, and her courage well.
nigh failed her. Her trepidation made her
acting almost reality but when she had
once discovered that she had actually excited
great interest in the mind OF the Rev. Mr..
Floritonc, her performance became an easier
task to her. and she brought II by degrees
to successful climax with skill that aston.
ished her mother, who had not given her
credit for so much perseverance and address.
Mrs. Martha Keenly was lonely now, and
though each Of her daughters offered her a
home, she was unwilling to be aught but
mistress in any house in which she habitual-
ly resided.
Mr.. Algcrnon Stanley, who had flirted
with every one Of the fair sisters by turns,
now woke up with dismay to the conscious
ness that they wero all gone from him forev-
er. His hair was turning gray, and he, too,
felt lonely; and, whether 1t was from fear
that the mother would also leave him to his
desolatcncss. or from some management Of
the widows to the writer unknown, cannot
be ascertaincd with certainty but he mar
ried her. and now declares that she is hand.
somer than any Of her daughters.