New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-07-12

dtdt fifty well ripened autumns, was read
ing with no little establishment the letter
which Bridget's enemy, the post-boy, had
brought for her.
Upon my word - exclaimed Miss Ex-
perience, slowly and emphatically "The
impairment young fortune-hunting hum
bug. Does he suppose I'm a bora fool to
swallow such a pack Of sentimental fiat
terry as this +? Lovely eyes-dimples.' II
he'd had said speetacles and wrinkles he'd
have been considerably nearer right. No
you don't, my ane fellow--no-you-don't!
Experience Browne hasn't lived fifty years
in the world to fall into such trap as this
at last. He'll call this afternoon to re-
ceive the answer that is to decide the whole
current Of his future life, will he Well,
let him call. I'll be ready for him, and I'll
warrant me he won't be in hurry to call
again.
And Miss Experience cAuckled to herself
until all the false eurls quivered, as she
folded the letter neatly and put it back
into its hurriedly directed envelope.
u never had an offer of marriage be-
fore, she thought, viewing her autumnsl
countenance in the pier glass, and adjust.
IuH INC llltlG puA5 VI IAbDOn6 IN uSA Sbp
| border, land it does make one feel kind Of
queer It's something to tell of, any way
Bethuar Jones needn't 60 to saying now
that was an old maid because | had never
had an Offer. | Just wonder what Ariel
would say; guess l won't tell her; she
would only laugh at me-
Miss Experience drew herself up as il
her spinal column were bar of iron
that afternoon, when Bridget announced
"Mr. Groverp
"Show him IN, Biddy-I am quite at
! leisure to receive him"
And our hero, entirely innocent of the
pending storm that was awaiting him,
walked into Miss Experiences awful pres
ence with a bundle Of the title deeds in his
hand, tied with the official looking red tape
Of his profession.
Good afternoon, Miss Experience"
"Ain't you ashamed of yourself, Harry
Grover ?" CALCULATED the spinster in a deep
stern voice. Get along with yourself
maxim love to an old woman more'n twice
as old as you be, Just because she'd got 9
little money? What do you take me for
hey? Don't stand starin' there? Walk Out
Of the room, quick, or I'll throw the big
dictionary at your head No, no, 70 Now
you have got your answer plain enough
l wouldn't marry you if there WASH
another man in the whole of the town.
Harry Grover was little appalled, al
this charge Of horse and foot, but he stood
his ground manfully, not even quailing al
the big dictionary.
"But Miss Browne, will your hear me a
moment? don't want you to marry me
What has put this strange fancy into your
head p
"You don't want TO marry me- Then
what in the mischief does this letter mean
I'd like to know ?"
"May look at it
Harry took the letter and glanced at it
Its contents threw new Light on the uuac
cOuntable state of affairs.
Good Cupid what a blockhead--
what an unmitigated, ineXcusable, ineom.
parable donkey have been What could
/ have been thinking about?n
Hey - demanded the puzzled spinster
4" Excuse me, ma am, but there has been
a mistake a.
And without stopping to complete his
fragmentary sentence he rushed out of the
room to the little bay window parlor
where Ariel usually sat.
"Ariel Miss Browne !"
But Ariel turned haughdly from the
pleading eyes of her lover.
Your letter is quite sufficient, sir; need
no further exponent Of your meaning"
% Ariel, darling, there has been an absurd
mistake; this is the letter that was intended
for you. The other was written to youl
aunt on business, and by some unaccounta.
BILE blunder got into the wrong envelope
/ have been foul-a blockhead; but love
you, dearest, with all my heart. Ariel, you
will not send me away ~
No-Ariel did not send him away, fol
the shy smiles and rosy bloom were begin.
ming to come back to her face as she read
the real letter.
But, Harry she said, with roguish
dimple at the corner Of her mouth, lyon
must confess that Aunt Experiences note
had rather an unpleasant style"
" I was a careless reprobate, said Harry
frankly, but you see Judge Cornell was
watching me-p
And that was the end of all misunder-
standing between Harry Grover and Ariel
Browne. thenceforth, forevermore.
Miss Experience was rather disappointed
in two things. She would like to have sold
the schoolhouse corner lot, and she would
like to have said that orce in the course Of
ifty-fve years of life she had an offer OF
marriage. -----...------~-..-.
However" said Miss Experience, "Ariel
is very happy, and maybe things are best
as they are.'-SpoTfifag Times.