Charles City intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa) 1864-1866, 1866-02-08
MoraI Gale.
THE STRATAGEM.
Ir AUmIS c. BuRpIcK.

Ir AusrIy c. BuRpicK. aW
Maria Lothrop was a bright-cyed
laughing girl, generous-hearted and
faithful but she had one fault she
was sometimes very obstinate, aud up
on certain subjects she was more ap,
to be governed by prejudice than by
principle. She had much persona
beauty, and her mind was well stored
with general information yether faith
er often had occasion to regret the lit
tie obstinacies that once in a while
would make their appearance.
Maria," said Mr. Lothrop one eve.
ming, as himself and wife were seated
IN the sitting-room with their daugh-
ter, tomorrow Charles Sherman will
be here, and it is my desire that you
should be yourself when he arrives.
Now, do not"
Stop, stop, father" interrupted Ma
ria, with considerable carnestness,
you know what have said. This
making plans for ones marriage be-
forehand is not exactly the thing. l
have not even seen the young man
yet, and | know not how | shall like
him." - ~ "
All, Maria, said the old gentleman,
were you really honest now, | should
ask no more, but you do not mean ex-
actly as you say"
How so, father 2"
| Why, you are prejudiced against
the young man, and you are determin-
ed not to like him at any rate"
The maiden smiled, and bit her deli
cate fingers.
You know | speak the truth, Ma
ria" continued Mr.. Lothrop.
Indeed, father, | know no such
thing. am not prejudiced against
this Charles Sherman. But | don't
think it looks very we'll in him to set
himself down as my future husband"
He has not done so, my child"
But you said he was coming to
make the necessary arrangements"
So he is, and thus far it has all
been my doings. know that he will
make you a good husband"
That is, If he ever is my husband, I"
added Maria, with significant nod of
the head.
Mr.. Lothrop looked troubled.
Maria, said her mother, as she laid
down the book which she had been
holding in her hand, if you wish to
please your parents, you will overcome
this prejudice which you have been
nurturing. Your father and myself
both desire that you should become the
wife of Charles Sherman, and that de-
sire is founded on sincere wish for
your future welfare We know the
young man, and we know him to be
one Of the most exemplary and up
right young men with whom we have
ever been acquainted. His father was
friend indeed to us, and we know
that the son inherits all the fathers
virtues. Charles is wealthy, but that
is nothing to us. His other qualities
have recommended him to our love and
esteem. Now, you have no prior at
tachments know that your heart is
free and We wish you to marry the
man of our choice"
What marry where I cannot
love 2" uttered Maria.
No, no. my child. 1t is our wish
that you should love him first and il
you will but meet him with a warm,
generous, open heart, and without pre-
judice, you cannot help loving him."
tell you, mother, there is no need
that you should say any more about
this matter. If you do not wish that
Mr.. Sherman should be coldly treated,
you had better not have him come here,
for | know ! shall not like him"
Mrs. Lothrop said no more, but she
looked disappointed as she turned her
eyes towards her husband. The old
gentleman sat for some time without
speaking. At length an unusal de.
gree Of sternness settled over his fea.
lures as he looked once more towards
his child. He knew that if she had re-
solved not to love young Sherman, she
would not do it, though the youth had
been an angel from heaven. He saw
that she was determined to be stubborn
on the point, and that no reason could
reach her.
Charles Sherman was the son of one
of Lothrop's old friends, and during
the summer previous Mr.. and Mrs. Lo.
throp had spent two months with him
at the home of relative, while Maria
had remained at home attending shcool
Charles had seen the fair girl twice at
the theatre in neighboring city, with
out being known by her, and he was
far from being unwilling to accept Of
Mr.. Lothrop's proposal to make the Wis
it which was now anticipated. Both
the father and mother had made uI
very strong hopes Of having the young
man FOR a son-in-law, for they knew
that he was all that could be asked fol
in husband.
$50 you are determined not to love
Mr.. Sherman q" said the old gentle
man, after he had regarded his daugh
ter for some moments in silence.
81 don't think shall, returned Ma
| ria.
In short, you mean to be stubborn
: about it."
don't know about that"
"Well, | do,n replied Mr.. Lothrop
"for can see it in your eye, and il
your manner. But now let me tel
you what have made mp my mind up
. on: If Charles Sherman asks me fo
! your hand, he shall have it,"
"He'll be fool to take an unwill
, ing hand" said Maria, not quite be
, lieving that her father was in earnest
|. "Be that as it may" returned Lo
!. throp. eff he asks me for it he shall
!. have it, and then he may learn you t
) love him, or he may tame yon into sui
y lection-just which he pleases"
"Umph! Wen see about that" nj
tered the pretty girl, with her lips yer,
!. tightly pressed together. "We'll see.
nn ,x-. ILL ~nr. ollal hav r.,