North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1862-09-03
4f(lste((aneous,
AFTER ALL!
BY EMILY J. MACINTOSH.

He had been bachelor for forty years, this
same Mr.. Ellis Harvey, about whom am
writing s.ory, and he was known among
his friends as Every particular" man, and
{" hard to please" which last phrase general
ly means one thing-hard to please in mat
rimonial way.
He was sitting before a blazing coal-fre,
thinking how dislnally cold it must be out
side; and he was eating very leisurely his
late dinner. and thinking how excessively
| comfortable it was in his sanctum, when the
door opened, and a tall, stylish lady, whose
likeness to himself spoke her relationship,
came sweeping IN.
Ellis y she exclaimed, at dinner? Why,
it is nine O'clock, and am ready for the ball
at Mrs. Jamesons."
4" So perceive, he said, lazily, looking at
her ately figure In its rich evening dress
81 cannot 60 for an horr. Hattie, so sit
down and be comfortable. Ten o'clock is
early enough, iust right for sensation"
But what makes you dine at this hour 2"
81 was detained, and gave Mrs. Smith d.
rections to wait for me. Let me offer you
something
you savage! You want a wife, Ellis, to
keep you in order. If Mrs. Harvey ruled
the house, you would have to come to you:
dinner at a civilized hour"
g Let US be thankful then that she does
not rule the house Where is Lawrence 2"
Sin Washington! Went this morning,
which accounts for my calling for you. Bat,
Ellis, seriously, do you never intend to give
me sister? gave you Lawrence for a
brother years ago, and as there are only you
and left in the family, it is but fair you
should return The Iavo:. You are getting
old, too. sir ~
"Am | How? Hair turning ?"
"No, you conceited fellow, you are as
handsome as ever; but You grow more fussy
and bachelory every day. Smith spols you p
"Smith gives me all the comforts of
married man, and none of the bother. l
will wager that Lawrence himself is not bet
| ter cared for than | am.'
"But, Ellis, surely you intend to marry
some time %
ooh, yes if ever find anybody to suit
me -
There is Fannie Hays you were very at
tentlve to her at one time"
Hattie" said Ellis, solemnly, she paints,
saw it come off, one warm evening, on her
handkerchief. Don't tell, but it is fact i
| was so glad had not actually proposed"
Well, Ellis, am sure Jane Hunter didn't
paintn'
| "But, Hattie. she was so fearfully ugly
tried in vain to be sensible and prefer mind,
intellect, and talent, to mere beauty but
she was SO frightfully strong minded, and
made such terrific speeches about equal rights
and male tyranny, that she fairly frightened
ME away"
"Well, Louise Holden was not strong
minded !"
"Milk and water! !" said Ellis, contemptu
ously.
Amy Hill ?"
Dressed so shcckingly. Venus herself
could not look well in an enormous red and
green plaid, with blue bonnet Ughm
MARY Willis had exquisite taste in dress"
But she had such voice She address
ed you with tender eloqucnce, and told her
most cherished secrets in the voice of fish
woman crying shad."
Well, Ellis, one more. Welhelmina
LeeI'
| "Ah Hattie. there was touched. Beau
! ty, talent, feminine graces, every attraction !;
but she lived next door to grocery store"
"Now, Ellis, what could that have to do
with it ?'
at was in the summer, and we were at
the open paflor window. | was just on the
point Of offering myself, when the wind blew
strong Whit of salt mackeral between us.
You know my aversion to mackerel. The
smell made me sick, and | forgot sentiment
| left, and the next day Moore proposed and
was accepted"
"You had better have wife made to or
der Ellis Particular, fer am sure the para,
gon does not exist who will fill your ideas of
Mrs. Harvey. 1 shouldn't wonder if you
married Smith, after ALL"
"Not bit of danger. If ever marry,
my W ife must be refined in manner, lady
like in appearance, pretty enough to escape
the charge of positive ugIlness, at least thirty
years of age, and Of good birth and position"
And with sufficient good taste to appre-
ciate your condescension and say, 'Yes, if
you will be good enough to have me-, when
you propose. Come, you have finished your
dinner. Go dress yourself"
Six hours later Ellis was doomed man,
How it came about he never knew After
all .his his resolutions never to marry in
haste, to weigh well all her perfectons and