The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-06-04
HOW / WAS COURTED,
AND
II 0W l. A S W ON

II U W i W A s W 0 N
I am the only daughter of Orlando
Pagons, Of Fizzleton, retail dealer in dry
goods. Ny father is a very prominent
man in town, and am the belle of the
village think I have very good rea.
son for calling myself handsome; for moi
less than score of young men of my
acquaintance have assured me that such
is the fact. / have no reason for doubt.
ing the words of these very estimable
young meu; for l think I should have
been convinced of my beauty even If they
had not whispered it in my blushing ears
My fathers hobby has been for several
years to make good match for me-
Perhaps you know what good match is
It.is simply to marry man whom you
positively hate-a man who is exclusively
ugly and disagreeable; in short a fool
Ijust because he is wealthy. IF he has
money, it makes no difference what his
character is. It is what the world calls q
good match. Ny father thought just as
the world did; and often have I heard
him say that his Beatrice should ride in
her own carriage some day; that was his
highest order Of happiness. Perhaps it
is necessary to say that nay father and I
differed great deal upon this point.
/ think had imbibed what the gene
rality Of people will call rather romantic
notions. Can you believe it, that the
belle Of Fizzleton, at the age of %, im-
agined that there was such passion as
Love; I longed for something more than
a poodle dog to lavish my affections upon.
/ know it is unmaidenly for me to say
this; but, ughl I preferred the poodle to
all Of them. My hero had not yet ar
rived. I knew he would. come some
time. Perhaps he would come in a rag
ged coat; but the coat does not make the
man, you know, though it does make a
great many things that call themselves
men.
Meantime my father broughta lover to
me in the shape of Mr.. Cattel, from
Boston. He was doing large business
there and was considered very wealthy.
"There's lover worthy Of you, Bea-
trice," father said, after Mr.. Cattel had
made his first call. "His wealth can not
be estimated"
81 am sure his soul cannot" I replied.
"He is certainly at least twice as old as I
am"
"Well?"
Ut think thatis enough =
My father opened his eyes with aston
ishment.
Daughter, you do not mean to say
that yru would not marry him if you
had au opportunity"
eyes, that is just what mean..
aBless my soul" cried father. "Are
you sane?"
Perfectly"
Father looked credulous.
"You read too much poetry, child. You
are woman now; and it is high time for
you to banish these sentimental ideas from
your silly head. Such an opportunity as
this does not come to woman but once
in life time."
~ hope not"
Father stamped his feet with rage, and
looked unutterable things; took up
Lalla Rookh, and began to read "The
Fire Worshippers."
eBeatrice," said my father, "do you
want to bring my gray hairs down in
sorrow to the graye?"
.No, but as I shall have to live with
my husband through life, / should rather
have man of my own choosing"
eyes, yes, child. But I have lived
longer than you, and think my judgment
better. wish to see you happily mar
ried. I don't want you to marry some
contemplate scoundrel, without cent in
his pocket, and have you wear your life
outas his drudge. As the wife of Mr.
Cattel, you will lead the life of luxury
and ease." ~
ga life of misery"
Ny father looked grieved, and to my
surprise left the room.
Such is the perversity of female human
nature that I think if that scoundrel,
who, without q cent in his pocket, had
presented himself at that moment,
should have accepted him at once. / be.
lieve women are like the Irishman's pig
He (the Irishman) wished to drive the
| pig to Dublin; but he made him think hs
wished him to 60 an opposite direction
Consequently the pig was bound to 60 to
Dublin; and to Dublin he went.
| Mr.. ,Cattel never called again. Ilthinl
father put flea in his ear for be saw
plainly that wasn't to be driven into I
union with a man whom did not like.
! About this time my father hired new
clerk. He was rather good looking, ane
all my young lady friends voted him
proper nice young man. | presume b
was what father would call scoundrel
without cent in his pocket. To be sure
he dressed elegantly; but | havn't th'
most remote idea that the 6ne Goa
upon his back was paid for. But what 0
that2 Wasn't he agreeable? Couldn'
lhe whisper soft nonsense for an entir'
levening? Hadn't he all the poetry o
1.-THE affections by heart? Then he wrot
about love and moonshine, in splendi'
rhyme upon the sweetest-scented paper
and he gave all these efusions to me.
ALMOST thought I loved him; and | an
sure he loved me, for he told me SO.
lhad it all written out in black and white
and in the most elegant verses | think
ever read.
Father tried to keep cool through al
of this, but it was terrible hard work TO
-, a. ID GO Onoa 7 heard him tel