South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1868-03-13
MY EFFORT AT MATCHMAKING

u my aunt hatnerlne, who sat silently
at the window with her sewing. Through
the light meshes of the lace curtains the
bright sunshine came in and fell upon her
soft dark dress, smooth hair, and pretty,
white work, while the fresh breeze, floating
in at the opon window, blew into bloom a
carnation pink upon her cheeks, and sitting
there IN the breeze and sunshine, saw that
my aunt katherine was very handsome. -
at hrst thought it strange that had ne
yer noticed that fact before but it was not
strange, for children think nothing about
their parents, or guardians looks, except
that they be pleasan. or unpleasant, and
was little more than a child. Ever since
could remember, aunt Katherine, with her
dark dress, smooth hair, and gentle ways,
had taken care OF me (; and when grew in
TO tall girl of fifteen, old enough to 90 to
kissing parties and have young beau, she
watched over me still. She was my mother.
my companion, my friend. never realized
my orphanage or want Of other kin, but had
been the same careless, light hearted, mcr-
ry girl ever since | could remember, that
was on the June morning | watched her at
work in the sunlight. She looked upat last
'Addie, isn't it almost school time? p she
said.
Yes, auntie, I am going in a minute !;
but first tell me-
what, child p
why you never were married.
because | never liked anybody well c.
nough to marry him. Now so and get rca-
dy for school
She smiled as she spoke, and after glance
at her face | smiled, too, and ran off up
stairs to get my bonnet and satchel. Conn
ing down stairs again, put my head in at
the sitting room door
Aunt Katherine 2
well p
IF you found anybody whom you liked
we'll enough wouldn't you marry him p
Il don't know suppose so. Why,
what in the world has got into your head,
Addic p
laughed, slammed the door, aud bound
ed through the hail into the road Half
way to the school-house met my teacher,
Mr.. Charles Devcrcux.
Good morning, Miss Addie. Rcci,a-
lions all rcady?'
Yes sir | answered, and he passed on
ahead. L sauntered on slowly, thinking of
my aunt Katherine. thought it would be
nice plan for her to be married. The
next thought was who should she marry
There were only half dozen unmarried
midd!e-aged men in the village Aunt
Katherine was twenty-seven, and of course
she wouldn't marry very young man.
rapidly enumerated the half-dozcn eliriblc
ones aud their suitability for my plan =
Lawyer Hyde, thirty, rich, aristocraiic and
stingy. Mr.. leighton, thirty-fve, hand
some, good, we'll off, but widower; and
I've heard aunt Katherine say she did not
like widowers. Mr.. Person, twenty.eight.
handsome, wealthy, bat too fast: she would
not like him. DIR. Jarvis, thirty six, small.
grabbed, miserable and unbearabe general
ly. Mr.. Howe, too homely to be thought
of; and Captain Haynes, with his yellow.
bushy whiskers, and nine thousand dollars
worth of mortgagcd property which he is
always talking about; worse yet. Rather
n sorry array
just then the school bell rung, and
went to my books, and Mr.. Charles Dever.
eux-agcd twonty-eight, handsome. intclli-
gent, we'll educated and unmarried. The
class in intellectual philosophy was called
first, and though had carefully committed
my lesson to memory the evening before,
my late thoughts had quite driven all ro.
mcmbrance of it from my head, and my re-
citation was imperfect. Mr. Dovercux look
ed supposedly at inc but said nothing. Tn
French grammar my performance was still
worse.
Miss Addie,' said Mr.. Dcvercux, as
passed by him on my way to my seat, do
you have any trouble with those French
tsnr he in
Yes, sir, little / replied.
You want little reviewing, think
It have time, | will call in NJ your house
this evening, and help you little while you
are studying
Mr. Deverouz knew that always studi-
ed IN the evening, and had several times
called in and spent an hour in ASSISTING me
with particularly difficult task designed
for the next day recitation So was not
surprised to hear him make this offer. tho
a little ashamed Of the cause Of t.. "a nv
failure had resulted from my willful mat
tcutiOn and carelessncss. / thanked him
however, with a flushed face, and went 10
my seat. But ~ Was not entirely Shame
that flushed my face
As | expected, Mr. Dcvcreux camo in
the evening to explain my French lesson
But he did not find me alone. Aunt Ka,b-
crime sat by the table sewing and looked
even handsomer than in the morning. Nv
heart gave flutter Of impatient an.icipa-
ton every time Mr.. Dovereux looked at her.
aud after the lessons were through, did
my best to make her talk 10 please him
My aunt always talked we'll, but she quite
excellcd herself in conversation that night.
| saw that Mr.. Devercux was interested