Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1866-06-07
Frightening a Lover,
OR, THE STRONG MINDED WOMAN.

"You have heard me speak of Ste
phen Jenkins, Matilda"
"Yes Uncle"
"Well-another cup of tea if You
please-he is coming here to morrow
on aweek's visit"
"You don't mean so, Unclef" ex-
claimed Matilda.
"And why don'tI, Miss Matilda
There is nothing TO summon such 8
look OF CONSERVATION 10 your face -
"Because if he shouldn't happen
to be agreeable"
"Of course he is agreeable. Al
all events, it is desirable for you TO
find him so, since he is your prospec
tive husband"
"My prospective husband What
can you mean, uncle?" inquired
Matilda, opening her eyes in amaze
ment.
Il thought YOU understood it.
Your estates join, and il is eminent
ly proper, therefore, that you should
unite them by marriage"
"a very good reason certainly,
said Matilda with curl of the lip,
at makes little difference, l suppose,
whether our dispositions are com
pati5le or not
80, they will easily adjust them
selves after marriage, and the two
! will make such handsome estate. /"
Suppose l shouldn't fancy him
well enough TO accept his proposals,
i, uncle?" asked Matilda demurely.
''If you should dream of such 9
thing as refusal, | should disinherit
you. You are aware, | suppose
that all your property comes from
me, and that / can at any time recall
it."
THAT would lie pity, certainly
said Matilda, in lively strain, "foi
| should have to take in Washing, oil
something of that kind, to support
myself, and / have such an appetite"
Mr.. Parker smiled in spite of him.
self, and evidently looked upon his
niece as one who would readily yield
to his expressed viii.
"One question more, uncle. Sup
pose he should not fancy your hum
Bile niece, and concluded to pay hi:
addresses elsewhereg"
81 would never speak to the puppy
again"
And you wouldn't di3inherit me
then, uncle?"
"Of course not, you gypsey. Il
wouldn't be your fault"
1T would be mortifying. TO have
him reject me-" said Matilda de
murely. 'Is there anything he par
ticularly dislikes in woman, do yor
). know?"
- once heard him say he couldn''
bear literary woman said hel
uncle after some reflection. GAL
sorts of strong minded women are
his adversion. But then you know
Matte, you are not strong-minded.'
"Thank you, uncle, very much
That is as much as to say am veal
minded"
mo such thing, you gipsey. Blu
there's one thing more ] want to tel
You, and that is that / am called
away to New York, by business
, which will detain me the full lengtl
of his stay. So You will have to en-
tertain him yourself. Mind ant
play your cards well, and shall ex
pect TO find the marriage day fixe'
when l return"
80 dear, what shall I do with tn
horrid man for whole week?''
81 dare say you will be dead il
love with him by the time get back
You may remember me to him whel
he arrives, and tell him how much
regret not being here to welcom
him."
That night Matilda kept awake TO
some time, concerting plan whicl
: might offend the prejudlces of tn
T expected visitor, and throw the bur
j den of a refusal upon him. For sh
t well knew that if he once proposes
!. her uncle would be seriously angr,
if she rejected him, and very possibl,
r would carry out the threat to whicl
!. he had given uttersnce.
; 1t was about twelve o'clock til
, next day, that tall young man Q
: serious aspect, ascended Mr.. Parker
# front steps, and rang the hell. Fl
r was ushered into the drawing-roon
where after waiting half an hour h
was joined by Matilda.
The young lady was by no mean
looking her best. Her hair wa
loosely arranged, hG collar wa
r awry, and there was very precept
+ BILE stain ofink upon her finger.
n "Mr. Jenkins l presume" she rt
marked.
The gentleman bowed and locke
!, curiously at his entertainer.
Sand presume am addressin
Miss Parker"