Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-07-04

and try to get Mrs. Muntle to keep it for
him ? Perhaps she would. He would offer
her high salary, and she would have
plenty OF servants. Then indeed he
might have friends to dine with him, and
be as happy as possible.
If he could only approach his hostess,
showing her as he did so that he consid-
cred her his equal and lady, and all that.
as she certainly was-a little countryfied,
of course, but a clergyman's daughter and
the widow of country doctor
After much consideration he finally mus
tered courage for the effort, and walked
into the front parlor, sent the small SER
want to ask Mrs Muntle to stop there for
a moment If she pleased
..Gracious" thought Mrs. Muntle.
What can he mean?"
Then she blushed brightly, settled her
necktie, took off her apron and walked de-
murly in.
'.Be seated, ma'am" said Mr.. Patterson.
PLEASE to sit here. Allow me to sit near
you. have something to say which may
require some consideration
.'Oh, dear, it's coming!' said Mrs. Mum
tie.
81 suppose you know / am man of
considerable means, ma am" said the old
bachelor, liable to buy nice house, fur
nish it well and live in it comfortably"
$50 I've understood, Mr., Patterson, >
said tho widow.
And OF course it is plcasanter to live
that way than in bachelor lodgings or at
hotel, said Mr.. Patterson.
II should Judge it might be- said Mrs.
Muntle, cautiously.
"You judge rightly" said Mr.. Patter
son, but you know a bachelor must be in
the hands ofservants, if he keeps house.
A gentleman don't want that; he wants a
lady TO superintend things for him--some
one of taste and refinement, and all that.
Common people don't understand his
feelings. and mercenary servants are a
poor dependence.
II know that said Mrs Muntle.
lyon are almost as much alone as |,
terson, coaxingly.
1.-The doctor knew him. He's going to
do it, just as he said he would, if he ever
did," said the lady to herself. Aloud she
answered:
well, sir, am pretty free. it is true.
All my children are married."
II know money would be no object to
you," said Mr.. Patterson. You have
enough. But if l were to tell you that
hated boarding houses. and wanted a
home, | think you would have pity on me-
I'll buy beautiful house, and you shall
have complete control over everything :;
only to make my strawberry shortcake for
me all my life
lie paused and looked at the lady.
THAT is delicately put" he thought.
Nor will you hire out for houseke eper
in that, ! fancy
II amt romantic though" said Mrs.
Mnntie; "but still. we amt young. Meth
er of us. and it gets to be Just that with
the most sentimental after while
Don't refuse me, =" pleaded Mr.. Pattcr-
son.
'Well, Mr.. Patterson, / won't" said
Mrs. Muntle. I'm my own mistress,
and though I've never thought of second
marriage, why l think I'm warranted in
making one. And no doubt shall never
repent, for think you've a fine DISPOSE
ton, and | understand your ways and
tastes
Mr.. Patterson listened. He saw what
he had done; proposed and been accepted
withou: having any idea of what he was
about.
He looked at Mrs. Muntle she was very
nice and fresh and comedy. and ten years
his junior, at least, if she was forty. He
could not have done better thing, and he
would be married without any troublesome
counting. SO he put his arm about Mrs
Muntle's, waist and said:
Thank you, my dear. ] consider myself
very lucky"
He wrote to his good doctor in about
fortnight's time, to tell him that he had
taken both his prescriptions, was mar
ried man. and intended to bring his wife
home about christmas