The weekly Shasta courier., 1873-01-04
Breaking an Engagement.

Robert Ingalls,, M. D., young pract-
tioner of medicine, sat in his room, second
story front, one morning, running his eye
over a medical book, when knock was
heard at the door.
The young doctor turned pale. He knew
that knock only too we'll He felt sure that
it was administered by the knuckles of Miss
Susan Jones, his landlady, whose name in
brazen letters adorned the front door below.
But why should DIR. Ingalls, turn pale at
the thought of meeting Miss Jones?
Let me explain. l have said that the
doctor was practitioner of medicine. |
should rather say that he was professor of
the medical art, and had been laboring hard
for the last six months to become a practi-
tioner. But alas the community in general
didn't see it," to adopt a current phrase.
He had had only one patient during that
entire period, an old Irish woman who had
taken little too much whisky, and con-
ceived the idea thai she was going to die.
The compensation received from Mrs. Raft
erty went "a very small way toward defray-
ing his personal expenses. The natural
consequence was, that at the end of six
months, the doctor was considerably in ar
rears. In fact, he hadn't paid cent of his
board bill, and he knew very well that Miss
Jones intended to bring it in that morning.
Accordingly in answer to the knock he
remarked in very feeble voice, "Come in y
The knocker did come in.
Miss Susan Jones presented the appear
ance of lady with no" nonsense about her.
She was a sharp, practical, busness-like wo-
man Iof thirty-eight. She was rather tall,
rather bony, rather angular, and rather
homely.
"Good-morning, Miss JONES' said Dr.
Robert Ingalls,, rather uneasily.
Morning" said the spinster.
"Fine morning" ventured DIR. Robert.
Haven't had time to look out," remark
ed Miss Jones. Here's your bill for six
months board, DIR. Ingalls,
The young man took it, and gazed at it
steadfasty, as if it was a very interesting
document indeed.
81 hope you find it right" said Miss Jones
sharply. "Twenty-six weeks board at five
dollars per week amounts to one hundred
and thirty dollars precisely"
Precisely returned Robert hastily. I" 1t
is quite correct, | assure you. Could you
leave it with me a day or two?"
ly," said Miss Jones, "on condition, of
course, that you pay me the money"
IL haven't got it this morning" falter-
ed Dr. Ingalls,
Il didn't suppose you had," said Miss
Jones.
You didn't" the young man couldn't
help exclaiming in surprise.
"No, and therefore | have thought of a
different way of settlement.
Professional services?" suggested DR..
Robert, Frightening up.
Pooh said Miss Susan. al don't need
a doctors services, and if | did, Id go to
somebody that had more experience than
you"
"Ohl" said the young man humbly.
"No, it's something different | have to
propose. My cares are many, and find it
quite burden to 90 to market, and attend
to everything | have been thinking it
might be well for me to marry-in order to
secure assistance. I'd just as lief marry
you as anybody. l believe there's some
difference in age. You are-let me see,
how old?" "Twenty-six fatered Dr. In
gals, looking at her in alarm.
And | am thirty-eight. Well. it won't
be love match. take it we are both too
sensible for that. However, I'll tell you
what LII do: I'll give you your board be-
sides receipting this bill, you see fit to
marry me-"
"And if not? asked young Dr. Ingalls,
under his breath.
You'll be in Jail before night I'll give
you till dinner to think of it. Oh. I'll give
you hundred dollars year besides, to buy
your clothes for three years to come. BY
that time you'll be in practice, and will earn
enough to buyem yourself. Good morning
You can let me know at dinner
Miss Jones deliberately left the ROOM
Poor Bob excuse the familiarity, but
knew him when a boy sat plunged in sor-
rowful thought and then putting on his hat,
left the house for a short walk.
He stopped at the post-ofice, where he
found letter from his tailor asking for the
payment of that little BILL
The die is cast I" he said. an sacri-
fee myself"
He walked back and appended his sigma
ture to the following document;
81, Robert Ingalls,, NJ. d., hereby agree
to marry Miss Susan Jones, spinster, a
month from date
"RoBERT INGALLS,. M. D."
Thereupon Miss Jones handed him his
board bill receipted.
Three days later Bob Ingalls, excuse my
familiarity once more sat revolving his un-
happy fate in his mind, when letter reach
ed him apprising him OF his aunts death
and moreover that by her death he came
into property valued at from FIVE to six
thousand dollars.
His first emotions were joyful. But there
followed the grievous thought that Miss
Jones had his promise of marriage, and
would undoubtedly sue him for breach Of
promise if he failed to abide by it, and the
damages would probably swallow up most
of his bequest.