The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1864-04-15
Seleft Gale,
THE PHILOPENA,

"I like you the best, Mr.. Abingdon;
but think when grow up shall marry
Cousin Hurlbert." So spoke the enfaat
terrible of the household, standing on tip
toe to get at some nuts left upon the des-
sert table with her five year old eyes. Oh,
how sharp they were fixed upon me, and
repeating her words slowly-"I like you
the best, but when I'm grown hank l
shall marry Hubert"
"Why? Dolly"
"Why? Oh, he has lots and lots Of
money, and you haven't" 10
"Whew How do you know | hav-
en'tp
aAupt Matilda says SO. She told Kate
this very morning in her bedroom, and
that if she married you she'd-she'd-oh,
remember-she'd starvc in garrett
Before that meant to marry you when |
growed up"
A revelation 1t was true-l was sure
of that What Dolly heard she repeated
gerbotian, and generally at the most inap-
propriate times. a week before she had
revealed to Mrs Dix-the fashionable
Mrs. Dix--that Aunt Matilda WAS frying
Aapiacks in the kitchen. She hal uttered
all those frightfnl remarks common to the
enfaat terrible as to "Aunts false teeth
and "rnele's WIG" She heard much,
liitening ks a y1srH% wi, and repeating
it DAYS after with su} }denncSs shat foiied
interruption to the very party to whom Of
all others she should not have revealed it.
So Mrs. Guion thought Katy would
starve in garnet if she marrics me-
Pleasant. And she proposed Cousin Hurl-
mi ptII
delightful altogether. Oh, if ] could but
know what Katy said would too:
"Come here, Dolly" said coaxingly
'Yes, when | get my almonds"
She filled her pocketsthe e were three
in her ruflled apron-and came treadins
dantily, in her black slipper4d feet, owe
the crimson carpet. took her upon M.
knee, and talked to her as she munched
"Wkat did Katy say, Dolly?"
II don't want to tell you"
tWhy ?"
you'll be mad"
"No."
eyes. Please crack this almond wit
your teeth, Mr.. Abingdon
performed the operation-not, howe'
er, with my teeth--and the little fngel
fshel out the nut e- --.
''Now, tell me, Dolly"
nWell, Katy said she hated you bot
and she wished you would go away"
'I'm obliged to her,
"Are you mad p
II hope not. think I'm sane no'
Dolly"
ii don't mean mad like dog. Are yC
angry"
tsYou never do you are pretty. Shott
like to-be your wife when I'm growed u
only Aunt NIilly says it would be awfl
You are so nice. Oh, oh philorena. Z
it with me, Mr.. Arlington"
[ took half of the double nut.
"Wat," cried Dolly, "Will it be t
same if we save the halves How old q
you"
Twenty ..a M
"Oh and I'm five, most six. In t
years I'll be-ten and six--yes, I'll
sixteen, and you"
"Thirty."
s'Oh, What an old man I! But wo
saw philopena for ten years, because
WON'T have any meney till I'm big, and
YOU catch me first shall make yo
present. Then I'll marry Cousin Hub
and be rich" lt aa sa. q .s,l-
sMercenary little wreteh--an emb
woman p l.,aaa5 s. j. .a3
"Eh ?" . .
sNothing." ,5 ebs.r
Oh, but thought you were mad at
-What awful long words Put the phi
pena in your pocket. u !,
ibid so, put Dolly down, and stall
out of the dining room Of Hickory Hot
1 had been there week, invited by G
old Mr.. Guion to spend an indefinite ii
For five good months | had worship
Kitty Guion, and she--well, men are
at twenty, and fancied she loved
and that Mrs Guion favored me. The
drop of balm in the conversation al
recorded was that Kitty hated Co
Hulburt also Still, asI cooled M
down under the hickory trees which
to the homestead name, reflected
Perhaps Kitty only spoke as a girl
speak when teased about her admi
: Perhaps, after all, she liked me. | W
test the truth that afternoon, and if
said "yes," the gates Of Paradise "
open, and if she said "nO"- Dear res