The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-05-15
Mr.. Bonsall,s Matchmaking,

My uncle, Alexander McFarlane, was
waiting breakfast, an event very uncom-
mon with him, for Aunt Nancy was the
soul Of punctuality. Nevertheless she
wasa little late this morning, Eight
o'clock was the breakfast hour, and II
was now fully ten minutes past.
Aunt Nancy was not my Uncle McFar.
lanes vile. lie was a widower OF some
fifteen years standing. Fifteen years be-
fore his vile had lett him delicate little
boy for akeepsake, and had gone away,
Whispering with her last breath that che
was very happy. Her mother and sister,
who had cOmeto the honse 10 nurse her,
remained alter her death, according to
Uncle McFarlanes particular request,
He would be so glad, no said, II 1t were
not eXacting too much OF a sacrifice, TO
have Mrs. Howard and Nancy stay with
him, keep up his house and attend to his
boy, SO Mrs. Howard, who was q wild.
Ow with a very Strengthened income,
rented her little house in the New Eng.
land village where she had always lived,
and come to preside over Mr.. McFar-
lanes spacious mansion and liberal
housekeeping In Greenwich street, New
Y0rk,-my Uncle McFarlane lived in
Greenwich street, a fact which marks the
date OF my story with sufficient exactnesS
Mrs. Howard had been dead three
months, and still Aunt Nancy presided
over Uncle McFarane's household
Neither of them had never thought Of
change MS either necessary or desirable.
Nancy had been lar, prim and some
what quiet gIrl when she came 10 live in
Greenwich street. She was still a fair
somewhat prim woman Of thirty.tive,
with pretty, soft brown hair, violet.blue
eyes, and u pure, soft, somewhat change
iuI complexion. She was not in the least
like a modern young lAdy's heroine. She
had no particular aspirations beyond the
limited and old.iashioned one Of doing
her duty in that state OF lilo 10 which II
had pleased God 10 call her. She did not
consider herself martyr to uncongenial
circumstances, because she made Uncle
McFarlnne's SHIRTS and mended bis stock.
ings, and even the TACT Of going down
i1tO the kitchen, 10 do up his immaculate
RULES, when old Mrs. Browns hands
were too lame, Ond the chambermaid' g
TOO unSkilliul to he trusted with them, did
not awaken In her mind any desire "a
rush out into the world in search OF
career. No such fancy had ever entered
Nancy HoWard's head. She was abso-
lutely "contented with her present condi'
tion,' willing to go on making Uncle Nc
Farlane's shirts, keeping his house, spoil
ing bis child, and making It pleasant Tor
him." as she simply said. Her great
pleasures consisted In doing muslin en-
broidery, visiting the poor, gong to church
and reading the English classics, with now
and then a novel. II she had any trials
she kept them to herself, confdlng them
inuO spiritual director, newspaper editor,
or female friend Such was Nancy
Howard at five and.thirty.
My Uncle McFarlane was fine gentle.
man In the true sense Of the phrase. &c
was unimpeachable in integrity, unspot.
ted In morals, In manners absolutely per.
iect-l little set in his way, and possibly
somewhat particular In eating and drink
ing. lie was also given 10 amusing him.
sell in a quiet way with the pecullarities
Of those about him. But he never vii.
liuglY hurt or neglected any ono, and he
had certain genial graciousness OF man
uer which made all Of his employees, from
Mr. Saunders, his confidential clerk, down
10 Black Sam, the carman, and Davy, the
GRAND boy, FEEL the better when he spoke
10 them.
Miss Nancy Is little late this morn
ing!" observed UnCiG McFarlane, rs
Brown, his man, brought him the paper,
"Ycs, sir. She was out till Ri(cr twelve
last night, at Sans, SIR"
Indeed! How was thatg"
"Well, you see, sir, Sans girl was took
with a quick consumption last spring, and
his vile amt very rugged either. Miss
Nancy, she's been there q good deal, ant
when Susy was struck with death las
evening, she sends for her. 50 Miss Nan
cyWent and stayed till It was all over. i
was great comfort TO them, sir, YoI
see, Sans wife, she's got little young
baby, too, and altogether 1t comes hard I!
II should say so, indeed We must SCI
that everything Is done, Brown. Find GU
when the funeral Is to be, and let INT
know, and tell your wiic TO send then
something comfortable when she goes L
market. But here comes Miss Nancy
hSuN ~ ulGhhlh5tl 49iOWus
Breakfast was usually somewhat silen
meal, save for Alexis chatter with hi
aunt; for Mr.. McFarlane always read the
paper, invarlbly asking Miss Nancy's per
mission.
why do you look at me so closely
AliCkT asked Miss Nancy, as she caugh
hernephew's gaze fixed upon her.
ii was thinking how pretty you are J
answered Alick, with his usual lraukness
Il think you arc hundred times prettet
than Miss Regina Schuyler, that the!
make such a fuss about, And l don
want her for a stepmother. so iherel
What Is that about Miss SCHUYLER
asked my uncle, laying down bis paper
ltstrikes nc that you ore taking rattle
liberty with that young lady-to So,
nothing Of myself.
ut wasn't me father; II was Mr. Bon
sail, answered Alick hr. Bonsal
asked moifl wouldn't like aprctty younI
lady like Miss Regina Schuyler TO com
into the house; and ! told him mo-
didn't want anybody but aunt Nancy
Then he said aunt Nancy was an oil
maid; and l said, II she was forty oil
maids, she was u hundred times prettle
than Miss Regina-and so she is!!p
I'VE won't discuss that mattefl' sail
my uncle, annoyed, but REFRESHING his ar
noyance; Is usual. "You need not min
Nj BonsSll. Veal know bis waysI"