The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-10-17
MARK 1EERIDEN.

"Come, Mark Meriden don't settle
down into an old grandfather before your
time-a pretty wife's a pretty thing,
Mark, and a pretty house is pretty
thing, but hang it. one must have a
little of life"
Mark Meriden stood at his desk, Civ
ing last look at his books, while Ben
SaDdford-the roguish-the merry-the
song sing;ng--the Ben of all Bens, was
thus urging on him the claims of pro.
jected frolic that evening. Now, Ben
was precisely the messenger for such an
embassy-there was fun in the magic
twinkle of his blue eye, and world of
waggery in the turn of his head, and pair
Of broad roguish 1impes that went mer-
rily in aud cut of his cheeks every time
be spoke, aud he laid hold of Marks arm
to drag him away. But Mark shook off
his hand, and finished summing up a
column Of 6gures-put the blotting paper
into the book, and the book into its place,
wiped his pen, and at last, turning to
Ben, said
II think l won't 60 this time"
"Now, why not" said Ben, eagerly.
"Because-because,' said Mark, smil.
ingly; because | have an odd fancy that
l should like the pleasure of Mrs. Meri.
den's company better this evening"
"Hang Mrs. Meriden-beg pardon,
Mark-hang myself 70: saying so-but
one don't like to see a fine fellow buried
alive come take a real wake up with
u.s."
Thank you, Ben, but haven't been
asleep, aud don't need it. Sopu 90 home
and see my wife" and thereat he turned
a resolute step homeward, as a well
trained husband ought.
"Now," SAYS one of our readers, "who
was Mark Meriden ?" You would not
have asked, good reader, if you had lived
in the town of - when his name first
appeared on the outside of one fits most
fashionable shops. Mark Meridep,' sur
rounded by those having ensignia of grace
and fashion so that young bellies need not
have their eyes turned of from beholding
it. Everything in the tasteful establish
ment told of we'll arranged business,
and Mark himself, the mirror of fashion,
faultless in every article of costume,
quick, attentive polite, was every day to
be seen there winning golden opinions
from all sorts of people" Marks shop
became the resort for high ton-the fash
ionable exchange, the promenade of beauty
and wealth who came there to be en-
lightened as to the ways and means of
disposing of their surplus revenue-to
see and be seen. So attentive, polite,
aud considerate was Mark, so profound
his bows, so bright his eyes, so unexcep.
tionable his whiSkers, that it might have
proved dangerous resort for ladies, had
not neat, tasteful house going up in the
neighborhood been currently reported as
the future residence of an already Mrs.
Meriden, and in few months the house,
neatly finished, and tastofully furnished,
received the very lady who called herself
to that effect She was as truly refined
and lovely woman as ever formed the
centre flower in domestic bouquet, and
Mark might justly be pardoDed for hav-
ing as good again an opinion of himself
for having been fortunate enough to Sc
cure her.
Mark had an extensive circle of bust.
ness and pleasure acquaintaBees, for he
had been one of the social companionable
sort, whose money generally found its
way out Of his pocket in very fair pro-
portions to the rate it came in. In short,
he was given to clubs, oyster suppers,