, 1865-08-25
Mr. Clinton's Offer.


By ELLA RODMAN.
was wrought up to a desperate deed In to-
ken whereof had equipped myself in full ar
mor--curls, waterfall, rats, white waist, etc.
determined that the sacrifice meditated should
be accomplished in becoming manner
It gives one a comfortable sort of feeling, af4
ter all, this sense of immOlaton; and as l fit
ted down the stairs parlorWard the rustling of
my stiff white skirts was an agreeable sound
My looking-glass and were usually on very
good terms; but that evening felt particularly
pleased with what had seen over my left shoul4
der Just before left the room.
Yes, Iwould put an end to it, this wretched
wandering about ever since l could remember;
mamma should have a home, which she was so
well calculated to adorn-and 1 would have a
husband To be sure, did not want one, es-
pecially the one in prospect; but what matter
when there was so much to be considered, if
did not have a lover?
So 1 entered the parlor fully prepared to ac-
cept Mr. ClintOn's offer.
Mamma was very pretty and very gentle; she
had been left widow many years ago; and my
ideas of a father were rather vague and confused.
We had a small property that enabled us to live
respectably,in places where living was compar-
atively inexpensive; but we frequently changed
our residence, and while was absent on a visit
to schoolmate, mamma wrote to me that she
udu bhkCu IuO plC1IJ NOgboSO W WAAOu was
getting really attached. ! came home to find a
little earthly Paradise, in the midst of beauti-
full country, where boating, fishing, driving and
every practicable rural amusement, drew every
summer a crowd of pleasure-seekers, who gave
quite fashionable tone to society. l was in my
element, and enjoyed that summer in every hour
and minute Of it.
l think certain Frank Gliddon, who is in
separately connected with moonlight rows on
the lake, and bits of poetry and pressed flowers,
had much to do with this. His sisters were
"such nice girls" and they and their mother
had called upon us at once and shown us every
attention.
But mamma and I were quite the bellies of the
neighborhood, in a different way, of course; for
every one said that mamma was so digniied,
and so much of lady, and so handsome and
young looking to have grown-up daughter;
but she was not at all gay, and people saw at
once that they must keep their distance with
her | was rather a harum-scarum concern, al
ways ready for a frolic; and that was why I
wondered that Mr.. Clintonj with his learning,
and grand, naughty air, should have fancied me
except that people usually like the their oppo-
sites.
Mr.. Clinton handsome house-just the kind
1 had always hankered after-brown stone, with
a grand entrance, and beautiful bay-window, to
which delicate vines clung in graceful sprays
and which looked out on exquisitely kept grav-
eled walks and thickets of rare shrubbery, vel
vet lawn, and glowing masses of bloom-with a
carriage-house in the distance, pretty enough
for small, picturesque family to live I'M and
such horses The very sight of those superb bays
was enough 60 drive one wild with envy-this
beautiful home had been without mistress fol
years
II. 10. for mil Ioc
around, who had not pitied Mr.. Clinton's lone
illness so much, that she had done everything
but make a regular offer. 1t was the fashion to
90 and see him, just as if he had been a lady; q
fashion, however, that mamma and | did not
follow, because we were ladies.
People often have peryerse fashion of going
where they are not sought, and when Ireturned
from my visit, ! found Mr.. Clinton established
as a regular visitor at the cottage, on such O
pleasant, friendly sort Of footing, that it was
impossible to treat him like a stranger.
When mamma said, "this is my daughter
Mr. Clinton, of whom you have so often heard
me speak, " the gentleman looked as if mamma
in my absence, had turned matchmaker, and
lauded me up until Mr.. Clinton had looked fol
an absolute piece of perfection.
determined to undeceiye him as soon as pos
sible; and with this view, l ratified on in my
widest manner, hazarded two or three startling
remarks, and conducted myself generally in q
way that richly deserved a severe maternal re-
primand. But dear mamma was not given to
anything of the kind; and heard her say, on q
subsequent occasion to Mr.. Clinton, "Dear Lau-
ra is a little wild-but she really is a most good
and loveable child"
"I think l understand Miss Laura thorough
ly," said the deep-toned voice in reply. "Sh'
is a little spoiled with admiration and fattery
as is quite natqral-but very charming, never
theless. 1t would be pleasant task to trair
such a mind as hers.'
"Indeed 70 I could not help exclaiming
Things were progressing rapidly, and the two
conspirators seemed to have matters all ar
ranged. 1t was not agreeable this being dis
posed of aoIens UoIens-l did not choose to b'
"trained" and every separate hair on my will
full head rose up in rebellion
Perhaps this was why I lent a willing ear t'
Frank Gliddon ridiculous speeches, and playec
the part of passenger in his pretty little yacht
while mamma and Mr.. Clinton talked demurel.
on shore. He certainly behaved very well, (Mr
Clinton, mean and displayed no feelings o