Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1868-07-17
dSeltfttd selisftlIaly.
MATRIMONY BY STRATAGEM.

THE Omaha correspondent of the Chi
cago Republican, under date of June &C.
gives the following account of late ro.
mantle affair:
Apropos of just nothing at all, have
rich incident to relate, which lately tran
spired in an Eastern city, though some of
the parties are now here.
Mr.. Mel, resident in D., was a
stockbroker of only moderate means His
family consisted of himself and his
daughter, young lady of eighteen sum-
mers. Rachel was beautiful and accom-
plishe1, was gentle in her manners, COM
panionable always and unto all, and hence,
had troops of friends. Every acquaintance
was a friend. But there was one who was
more than friend to her-friend, lover,
brother, and all that one may be to another
Robert Il, an accountant in a ship
ping-house, and very estimable young
man, though not in accumulated dollars
and cents. Having been frequently thrown
into Rachel's society, he learned her true
worth, and had in time come to appreciate
her accordingly, which means to love and
respect her with his whole heart. And
Roberts devotion was repaid by full and
free bestowal of the young lady's ardent
affections. And their troth was plighted
in the midst of surroundings which prog
nosticated prosperous and happy future
for them.
Yet among their first experiences an
unexpected obstruction was encountered,
which disturbed the hitherto smooth flow
of the course of true love. This obstacle
was of no lesser magnitude than fathers
stern disapprobation. Robert had ap-
preached Mr.. Mel. in n manly way, and
said,
"I love your daughter, sir, and 1 be-
lieve she reciprocates my affection. And
have obtained permission to respectfully
sue for your favor and benediction on our
union"
"And so you have her decision in your
favor? And l know nothing of It'll You
arc dishonest, plotting scamp, young
mani You insult me by this shallow pre-
tense of consulting my Wishes" replied
the old gentleman, with great warmth.
81 beg your pardon, sir, for surely l
meant no disrespect toward you. But /
could not approach you on the subject
until l had discovered the state Of the
young lady's mind"
"Gammon! She does not know what
her mind is She has no mind. But
enough of this. The future of my daugh-
ter is properly provided for. And warn
you, that all you have to do is tc go back
to your desk, and come here no more until
you are well rid Of that folly. My daugh-
ter shall never marry tramping actor.
And thus Robert was dismissed. Had
he presented himself there with the for
tune equal to that of Howell G., the
result of the interview would have been
very different. But Howell was rich and
Robert was not. Hence Rachers father
favored the former, and decided that his
daughter should accept him
Time had been when she rather en-
courged his attentions than otherwise
But that was before her acquaintance with
Robert, and it was all past, and forever
past, now.
This was the first difference that had
ever occurred between Mr.. Mel and
his daughter, yet it was broad one. He
demonstrated, argued, commanded. Robert
was worthless scamp, he held, and hav-
ing for several years devoted his life to
the stage, he would not long be content to
adhere to business. But arguments were
unavailing Rachel had unbounded conf
dcnce in her lover. She conscientiously
believed she was justified in clinging
unto him. Howell G. was not her
choice, and she was determined not to
accept his hand merely for the sake of the
money which it grasped, in any event.
The weeks went rapidly by. RacheIs
father relaxed not one jot of his firmness
of purpose. His quick eye detected indi-
cations which led him to institute close
watch over his daughters actions. And
this vigilance was ere long rewarded by
the discovery of an arrangement by which
Rachel and Robert hoped to put the ques-
tion which concerned them so deeply be-
yond the reach of n doubt or fear OF
course he defeated that plan in its incipi-
cncy.
The anxious father now saw the neces-
sity of a closer watchfulness than it was
possible for him to institute.
"My DEAR" he said to his daughter, one
morning at the breakfast table, "I am
thinking of sending for one of your aunts
To come and visit II few months with us.
Don't you think it would make it pleasant
er for both of us ?"
"Indeed know it will, and 1 am very
glad you wish it. How soon shall you in
Yite her to come ?"
Right away if do at all" replied the
parent, who thought he detected a deep
interest in the question.
"You did not say which of my aunts
you would invite. Perhaps it will be
both"
"No, ono at time Which do you
suggest"
4
her fancy that in this matter he would act
as he had done in every other case of late
contrary to her suggestion, taking it for
granted that she had purpose in the sug-
gestion averse to his will, which he would
then be enabled to defeat. Therefore she
answered.
"Please invite aunt Margaret, father"
"Well, well, I'll think of it, replied the
old gentlemen.
That very same day, to Rachels extreme
satisfaction, he wrote to her aunt Julia,
with pressing invitation TO spend three
months with them.
Aunt Julia, she was sure, would espouse
her cause, which aunt Margaret in all
probability would not do. Her father as
readiiy could have perceived the same
lact' had he been acting on any other prin-
ciple 1nah .hat Oh stern opposition.
After some weeks had passed. Mr. Mel
began to fear that the lukewarmness
which, in spite of the seeming zeal, She
manifested in his cause, was Indicative of
state of affairs of which he was i'm TO-
norance. That Rachel and Robert weTe
in close correspondence he greatly feared.
Quick in expedients, he soon matured a
plan by the operation of which he hoped
TO net the trio, if they were really in
league.
any dear" he said TO Rachel one morn
ing, II am going away on the 0;40 train,
on a short business tour to N. A. and L."
"Indeed How long shall you be away,
father 7" Rachel asked
II can't positively say. Until to.mor-
row night, at least, and possibly until the
middle of the day after"
How very much ! should like to go
with you"
lie reflected moment then replied
gravely:
Not this time, my dear we viii make