The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1873-05-02
M isc eIIa1ae olss
'"THAT U0RRID MIR. BARN ES.' .

Mr.. Barnes, Il widOwCr of forty, made up
his mind to marry again. | do not men
ton this rs being a very surprising fact
for who that has once known the love OF
woman has not felt as if the sun, moon and
| stars were made for his own particular
benefit and who that has once lived in
Heaven would not return thither? But
Mr.. Barnes was neither good looking nor
rich; in fact, not to mincc matters he was
plain and poor, and instead of falling in
love with plain, kind girl, who might
| take compassion on him, he fixed his eye
on one Of the richest, gaycst and prcttiest
girls in the village, Fannie, the youngest
daughter Of Squire McAllister. She was
about eighteen, just out Of school and as
wild as young colt. Imagine her aston
ishment when she found Mr.. Barnes was
making love to her. THAT horrid Mr..
Barnes has been here three times this week.
she said to her sister, "and he dared to
squeeze my hand tonight! What an old
tool-old enough to be my grandfather
ale is only forty; | should not be
surprised if you married him, after all
Fan; SO don't be angry with him for press
ing your hand. The next time he comes
he will kiss YOU" said her sister, provok-
ingly.
Fannie walked ont other room in speech
less Indignation. There was no doubt
that Mr.. Barnes was in love. lie came of
ten and staid long. 1t seemed her fate to
meet him whenever she left the house. lie
sent her presents, which she returned, books
which she never read, and invitations
| which she never accepted in short, as Fan
81 In hn. Ii IN
81 can't stand this any longer" said Fan
one day. III play such trick upon him
| that he'll never come again. So she pour
cd some mo!asses in his hat, as it stood ON
| the hall table one evening; then she called
him back when he had opened the front
door to go home, and had the satisfaction
| of seeing the streams Of mOlasscs running
| down his shoulders and over his best black
coat. Her merry peal Of laughter was all
| that was needed to complete his discom-
| future, and he rushed from the house cast
ing upon her II look of reproach.
Fan thought she had got rid of him now
| and she received her fathers rebuke with
| a good deal Of composurc; but the next
| week brought "that horrid Mr.. Barnes
| back again. What was she to do? She
did everything she could. She made car
| features of him, and circulated them among
her friends she treated him to doughnuts
| filled with cotton made fun OF him in
every way that the brain of II irolicsomc
| school girl could devise; and still he never
wavered in his allegiance.
There is no help for you, Fannie You
have to become Mrs Barnes number two
you cannot get rid of him in any other
| ,vov ,nil Mic Nc A llictnr
Fannie was too much subducd for anger.
81 really am afraid So" said she, with
| tears in her eyes. at would not be so bad
if there was the least thing attractive about
him. And he il always so kind, and SO
quietly determined, that am afraid he
will make me like him in spite of ALL"
"What's that you say, Fannic3 and, ris-
| ing suddenly, Miss McAllister took both
her sisters hands. Look straight into
my eyes" Fannie, was only joking. You
| must have known that | never supposed
| that anything in Heaven or on earth, or the
| waters under the earth, would induce you
| to marry that horrid Mr.. BarnesF A pref
| ty match indeed for McAllister; nice
son-in-law for our father How grateful
how handsome, how distinguished! What
pleasure you would have in introducing
your husband, with his yellow hair and
shutting walk; how proud you would be
of him--how you woul, glory in him Oh
l envy you your husbandw
Mary, how can you go on so" said
Fannie wrenching her hand away from her
sisters grasp. "lGaven'tI said hate himi
Don't show my dislike to him in every
possible way!'
ooh, yes; but you allowed the POSSIBLE
ity of loving ut last; you know you did
Papa would rather see you dead than mar
ricd to that man lie shall forbid him the
house this very night !" and Miss McAllis
ter gave all the family the impression that
Fannie was half in love with "that horrid
Mr;Bames," and they all amused themselves
ridiculing her, and abusing him, unit
Fannie (who secretly missed his attentions,
longed to take his part She recalled many
things he had said and done, which show
ed him to be charitable and good, and il
he had no grace of person he was inteli-
gent and refined. She regretted now all
the silly, girlish tricks she had played upon
him. and remembering how invariably po-
lite he had always been to her, looked
hack mon her behaviour with remorse