Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-06-12


"You have heard me speak Of i:tepher
jenkins, Matilda"
"Yes, Uncle"
! Well-another cupof tea if you please,
be is coming here tomorrow, on a weeks
visit
"You don't mean so, Uncle2" exclaimed
Matilda.
"And why don't I. Miss Matilda? There
is nothing to summon such look Of conster
nation to your face"
because if he shouldn't happen to be
agreeable"
"Of course he is agreeable. At all events
| It is desirable for you to find him SO, since he
is your prospective husband"
"My prospective husband! What can yor
mean, Uncle ?" inquired Matilda, opening hel
Eyes in amazement.
81 thought you understood it. Your es.
tates join. and it is, emnently proper, there
fore, that you should unite them by marriage
"a very good reason, certainly said Ma,
tilda, with curl of the lip. I" 1t makes lit
tie difference, suppose, whether our disposi
tious are compatible or not"
80, they will easily adjust themselves after
marriage, and the two will make such hand
some estate"
"suppose shouldn't fancy him we'll enough
to accept his proposals, uncle 2" asked Matil-
CO, demurely.
"If you should dream of such thing as
refusal, 1 should disinherit you. You are
| aware, Isuppose, that all your property comes
from me, and that can, at any time recall it"
"Tbat would be pity, certainly" said
Matilda, in lively strain, for l should have
to take in washing, or something of that kind
to support myself, snd L have such an ap-
petite!' -.
Mr.. Parker smiled in spite Of himself, and
evidently looked upon his niece as one who
would readily yield to his expressed will.
Zone question more, uncle. Suppose be
| should not fancy your humble niece, and con-
clude to pay his addresses elsewhere 2"
! ~ would never speak TO thepuppy again.
"And you wouldn't disinhcrit me then,
uncle?"
"Of course rot, you gypsy. Itwouldn't be
your fault"
"It would be mortifying to have him reject
me-" said Matilda, demurely. as there any
thing be particularly dislikes in woman. do
you know p
81 once heard him say he couldn't bear q
literary woman" said her uncle, after some
,ehec,ion. "All sorts Of strong minded wo-
men are his aversion. But then you know,
! Matte, you are not strorgminded."
"Thank you, uncle, very much. That is
as much as to say am weak-m'nded
"No such thing, you gypsy. But there s
| 7 H. to all and thnt
is, that am called away to New York by
business, which will detain me the full length
of his stay. So you will have to entertain
dim yourself. Mind and play your cards
| we'll, and shall expect to find the marriage
day fixed when return"
80 dear, what shall l ever do with the
horrd man for whole week 2"
81 dare say you will be dead in love with
him by the time get back. You may re,
member me 10 him when he arrives, and tel
him how much ] regret not being here to wei
| come him."
That night M.tilda kept awake for some
time, concocting q plan by which she mlgh
offend the prejudices of the expected visitor
and throw the burden of q refusal upon him
For she we'll knew that if he once proposed
her. uncle would be seriously angry if she re
iccted him, and very possibly would carry ou
the threat to "hich he had given utterance
It was about twelve o'clock the next day
that tall young man, of serious aspect, as
cended Mr.. Parker's front steps, and rang thu
bell. He was ushered into the drawing room
after waiting half an hour, he was Joined b.
Matilda.
| The young lady was by no means lookint
her best. Her hair was loosely arranged, be
collar was awry, and there was avery percep
tible stain of ink upon her finger.
'"Mr. Jenkins, l presume" she remarked
The gentleman bowed, and looked curious
ly at his entertainer.
"And 1 presume I am addressing Mis-
Our heroine inclined her head in the affr
native.
81 hope your respected uncle is vel" SAT-
Stephen jenkins, in the measured tone OF
young man, nho was old beyond his years
"I wouldn't marry such n stiff old pok
for the world,n was the not over compfhen
tary reflection of Matilda.
&My uncle regrets very much not being
able to meet you," she said, in answer to hi
question, "but he is called to New York b.
business. trust however, that shall b.
able to entertain you"
"That do not question" said the vlslto
with q slow attempt at gslantry-
81 am Inclined to think he will before n
goes" thought Matilda.
Looking az her fingers, she remarked com
posedly. as if she, for the time, observed tn
stniu ink, hope you will excusethe appear
ance of my fingers, but have been writing
all the morning, and couldn't remove al
traces Of the ink" j,
You were writing letters, 1 presume =
said Stephen.
40, no! not at all. was writing an arti
, Gle on "Woman's Rights. for the Bugle o
; Freedom"
Mr.. jenkins started, uneasily.
81 suppose you are 10 the habit Of seein
that paper" said Matilda.
"No," said he siifly.
nAh! you don't know what you lose
Composed and edited entirely by females
But perhaps"
Matilda interrupted herself to ring the bell
"Jane,n said she to the servant, "you ma,
90 up stairs and bring down manuscrip
Which you will find on my table"
"a what, ma'am?''
"a manuscript-a sheet of paper wit
writing omit. Poor jane" she continue
] aaar thssprzsus Aad' sOno ont, Hsha Eenl