The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-06-27
COURTING BY PROXY.
MO, SIR, l cannot consent to your
marrying my daughter

But why not, Mr.. Merrill, why not
have you any reasonable objection to my
'person-my character?"
Your person ? o no--excepting that
you're too confounded good looking. If
it had been otherwise Eva might be a
little more docile now"
"But my character, Mr.. Merrill, have
you any fault to find with that 2"
No, you seem honest enough, l do
not suppose that you would steal-thatis is,
anything beside my daughter and l shall
take pretty good care that you do not
stea her"
"Then what is it, sir, may 1 ask 2"
Eva, Mr.. Beldon, has been spoiled
and pampered and petted. She does not
know how to do one useful thing. What
kind of wife would she make poor
MANI"
But am not poor, l have a large
salary. / could not of course give her
carriage and horse quite yet, nor a box
at the opera, but she would not be obliged
to exert herself at all. / shall be per-
fectly we'll able to keep servants and
dress her handsomely, even richly"
But you may lose your salary at any
moment"
"I have the confidence of my employ
ers, Mr. Merrill, and they are exceeding
ly kind"
"It is of no use to say anything more,
| am very decided about this, and l beg
that you will drop the subject. l wish
you to discontinue your visits to my
daughter at once. l shall be very glad
to hear that you are prospering in the
world, but | cannot give you Eva. The
comfort and happiness of my daughter
are my first and last consideration"
But she loves me, sir"
She will get over it young girls
hearts are not reliable. Good morning,
Mr.. Beldon, have told you my wish
pray do not oppose it."
The young man seized his hat and
quickly withdrew; but as he was passing
the parlor door, little white hand was
laid upon his arm, and he was drawn in
to the room and eagerly questioned by the
lovely owner of the aforesaid hand.
What did he say, Henry, what did
he say 2"
He forbade my coming to the house
at all, Eva"
She laid her head against his arm and
burst into tears Drawing her closely to
him, he talked in low, soothing tones, un-
til suddenly raising her eyes to his, she
said, " cannot give you up, will not
give you up. If you cannot come to see
me, shall 90 to you"
"Oh my darling, that will never do"
Then are you willing to relinqush
me so easily 2" she asked drawing herself
away from him. NO, dearest, never,
never; but we shall be obliged to resort
to stratagem, and l have a friend who
will assist me. / must 90 now, if your
father should find me with you, he would
be very angry" and after pressing his lips
to hers he tore himself away.
William Curtis was seated in his off ce,
with his hat on, and his feet resting up on
the mantle piece, in regular bachelor
fashion, when Henry Bolton entered
looking eagerly and excited.
"Glad to see you old fellow" exclaim-
ed the former but, see here, what's the
matter? You look little down in the
mouth, it appears to me-"
Will, | want your assistance"
F" How, where and when ?"
I" l want you to WOO and win a lady
for me-"
What's that 7"
I" Just what said exactly"
Rat cupnocinnr bo ubo,,l1 ho lirn ~, n
fair maiden of olden times, and say
"Why dost thou not speak for thyself 2"
You know Henry, I'm not such a bad
looking fellow"
81 know that, Will, but I'm not afraid
my little Eva, is as true as steel"
go, it's the fair Eva, is it? Why,
what's the matter there that you do not
WOO and win her yourselfW
4" Her father has forbidden me the
house because haven't money enough,
but he will never object to you, as you
are one Of fortunes favortes, you know.
So / want you to devote yourself to Eva,
and give me chance to meet her when
her father thinks she is with you"
"Well, l don't know, Henry, it is put
ting me in pretty dangerous place. Miss
Eva is very fascinating young lady
However, if your heart is set upon it I'll
run the risk. What shall do first ?"
$50 and invite her to ride, then when
you get to Meridian Lane I'll relieve
you for awhile of your charge"
Why, Henry..you are better at man
oeuvering than imagined. When shall
it be ?"
g Gall nnnn her tn.ninht and invite