South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1873-08-15
Outwitting a Bachelor.
BY MRS. FLORA A. TALLY.

lest we lose them, as We seemed to be los
ing everything else
incre were nasons and carpenters down
Stars, and upstairs were paper-haneers and
painters, while Bridget and her assistants
were present here and there, aud every.
where.
remember l had on faded calico and
huge giogham apron, aud with cloth in
my hand, was engaged in the laudable
pursuit of rubbing u window clean, when
| saw John coming up the street with nv
brother.
Nothing very serious in that, hear some
ono say.
Well, perhaps not, to you; but my bro
ther was the most fastidious of mor,als.
and abhored house cleaning above ali
'hings else He kept his suit of rooms in
certain hotel in a city East, and, when it
became an absolute necessity that they
should be cleaned, he packed his valise and
TOOK little pleosure-trip, coming back in
time TO iind every thing the perfection of
good order and ncatness.
But he was handsome, broad shoulder.
ed fellow, cheerful and good and
was proud of him-as l well could be-and
ed to his bachelors life.
You sec, John and were very bannv
together, and my pet dream had been thai
brother Will would see me, and envy ne
enough to go and do likewise; but he
hadn't quite gotten over his idea that
wives and house cleaning invariably % To-
gether, and this visit-in the nuss that
we were now-would effectually put an end
to all dreaming, and strengthen his preiu-
dice ten-fuld.
Nevertheless. | tried to see only the bes.
SIDE OF the matter, and gave him a True sis
terly hueging, that he returned with inter
g e.. a9d for minute or so, in our delight
at seeing each &Sther. ! doub, if he noticed
the carpetcss door, the cheer csSs sE + or
the board that held mortar, aud the stov
ings and tools tia. always accom- pany a
carpenter.
Not five minutes after, however, while
was reading letter John had brought me
from one of my school girl friends-I
hadn't been married long enough to have
forgotten them heard viii say in that
positive manner of his:
1T IS all very well, John for you to talk.
now that you are married and can't hello
yourself, but as for me, would be sttung
up, head downwards, and fed on bread ard
water, before would marry the best woman
that ever wore petticoats'
'it would make difference if she wore
pants, | suppose 2
Your letter can't be very interesting, my
lady, or you would not fad time to inter
Fupt US he returned, loftily. CAS- was
saying, John, if | really could make up nv
mind to marry any one, il would certainly
be the inevitable Bridget, who could 90
her own work, attend to her house cleaning
without any of ny assistance, and never
question, any of my doings or goings, let
them be what or where they would
we cant forget, brother Will, that YOU
do not speak from experience Look out
that We don't cry 'sour grapes with some
reason said John, with a laugh.
Sour grapes, indeed Well, say a. you
please, my shoulders are broad enough to
bear it; but truth, you as well as |, KNOW
that there il not one householl cut Of q
hundred but what have their skeleton hid
away-in the form of trcuble-tilat the
world wots not-of.'
Possibly; but Lizzie and bavn't found
our skeleton get
'Ouly two years married ! Wait until
you can talk of ten or fifteen, aud then see
it you can't find skeleton to disturb the
quiet OF your cOnjueal felicity.
You are a skeptic, brother, don't de-
serve wife, anyway. I prophesy for you
a long walk through the swamp, md a
crooked stick after ALI
lie laughed mcrriy, rs I started TO see
If az least ono room could not be made com.
Portable for his lord-hip.
After tea, which was served in tolerable
good order considering the general state
of things, aud John and Will had gone
down street, as men always will Of an eve
mig, fell 20 cogiiatog on very pcrplex.
Jog subject.
Ny letter that afternoon announced the
coming Of my intimate friend, Jennie Jan
lsou; aud anxious a. ] had always been to
have her visit me, and especially to meet
my brother, ] was IN dismay at the thought
OF her coming now but a moment later |
concluded that il would be wiser 10 accent
ihe inevitable with az much grace as pos.
siblc.
There was sigh or two smolhered, for.
like all young housekeepcrs, l was desir-
Gus OF having my home the perfection Of
good order and uoatness, with no iarring in
the domestic machinery but study com.
mon sense told ne that everybody had 10
endure house-cleaniug at one time or A.
mother, and If my friends choose to come
at such q time, they must accept the situa.
ton as best suited 20 them.
l bad scarcely setil,d the matter in nv
own mind when q cab drove up TO the door.