Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1868-03-25
HOW WAS WON.

am the only daughter of Orlando
Puggins, of Fizzleton, retail dealer in
dry goods. My father is very promin-
ent man in town, and [ am the belle of
the village [ think | have very good
reasons for calling myself handsome, for
not less than score Of young men Of my
acquaintance have assured me that such
Is the face | have no reason for doubt
ing the words of these very estimable
young men, for [ think [ should have
been convinced Of my beauty even if they
had not whispered it IN nay blushng ears.
My father hobby has been for several
years to make a good match for me-
Perhaps you know what a good match is.
1t is simply 10 marry man you positive
ly hate-a man who is excessively ugly
and disagreeable-in short, fool, just
because he is wealthy. If he has money
if makes no difference what his character
is-it is what the world calls a good
match My father thought just as the
rest of the world did; and often: [ have
heard him say that his Beatrice should
ride in her own carriage some day. That
was his highest idea Of happiness. Per
haps it is needless to say that my father
and differed very much on this point.
[ think [ had imbibed what the gener-
ality of people will call rather romantic
notions. Can you believe it, that the
! belle of Fizzleton, at the age of twenty
| two, imagined that there was such pass
ion as love2 ] longed for something
more than poodle dog to lavish my atfec-
tions upon [ know it is very unmaiden-
| ly for me to say this; but it is true. I
had plenty of lovers to be sure, but ugh!
| preferred the poodle to them. My hero
had not yet arrived. [ knew he would
come sometime. Perhaps he would come
in ragged coat but the coat doesn't
make the man you know-though It does
make great s.many things that call them
selves men.
Meanwhile my father brought lover
to me-a Mr.. Cattle, from Boston He
was doing large business there and was
considered very wealthy.
"There's lover worthy of you, Bea-
trice," said my father, after Mr.. Cattle
had made his first call. ellis wealth can
hardly be estimated"
Il am sure his age cannot " [ replied.
"He is certainly twice as old as am"
"Well 2"
II think that is enough
My father opened his eyes with aston
ishment
"Do you mean to say that you would
not marry him if you had the chance?"
eyes, that's what | mean"
"Bless my souI?' cried father. care
you sanc?"
"Perfectly."
Father looked incredulous
"You read too much poetry, child
You are a woman now. and it is high time
for you to Danish those sentimental ideas
from your silly head. Such an opportun-
ity as this doesn' t come to woman but
once in lifetime.
Il should hope not"
Father stamped his feet with rage and
looked unutterable things. [ took up
Lalla Rookh, and began reading the Fire
Worshippers.
Beatrice, do you wish to bring my
gray hairs down in sorrow to the grave %
No; but as [ have to live with my
husband through life, | would much rath-
re have one Of my own choosing"
eyes, yes, my child. But [ lived
longer than you, and [ think my judg-
ment is better | wish to see you happi-
ly married. [ don't want you to marry
some scoundrel without a cent in his
pocket, and have You wear your life out
as his drudge As the wife of Mr.. Cat
tie you will lead life of luxury and ease d
"A life of misery"
My father looked grieved, but said nc
more, and soon after lett the room.
Such is the perversity of female human
nature that / think if that sceundrel with
out cent in his pocket had proposed just
at that moment, | should have accepted
him at once. | believe women are like
the Irishman's pig. He wished to drive
the pig to Dublin; but he made him
think that he wished him to 60 in al op
posite direction. Consequently the pig
was bound to so to Dublin, and TO Dub
lin the went.