The Louisiana cotton-boll. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], Attakapas, La.) 1872-1883, 1873-08-20
Then ahe Looked in the glass again

Mr.. Patterson came to the widows
and obeyed tho doctef's prescription
carefully: FIs ats bread and drank
milk, and robbed the orchards like a
school boy, and declaimed over the
strawberry short-cake afte,-a fashion
that would have made his reputation at
the bar. Then, too, Mrs. Muntle did
not smile at his aches and pains, and
insist that he must be perpetually well
because he had fresh complexion and
dimpleB in his cheeks. She had savory
herb teas and potions, which she pro-
duced when he complained of feeling
miserable, and she had that blessing to
hypochondrias, homeopathic box and
book in the house.
There were remedies in that box for
everything and it was pleasant to find
that when there was a crawling sensation
in your flesh or kind of uneasy feel
ing in your legs, there were dear little
gIobules to be had just suited for the
symptoms that to- find yourself very
angry about nothing Indicated pulsatil-
la, and that even for unreqrited love
there was medicine.
For two months and more Mr.. Patter-
son boarded with Mrs. Muntle, and
happier months he had never lived
through. Then he went back to the
| city for few weeks, returned in urgent
need of more pellets from the medicine
chest; and stayed until the last pink
chrysanthemum was blooming on its
withered branches. He had grown SO
fond of his little room, with its white
curtains and fresh grass bleached linen,
of the country good things, and of the
cosy nursing of Mrs. Muntle, that he
could scarcely bear tho thought of part
nrg with them altogether.
After all, why could he not buy n
house, 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 pos
sible. .-....
If only he could approach his hostess;
showing her as he did so that he con-
sidered her his equal and lady, and
all that, as she certainly was, little
countryfed, of course, but cIergyman,s
daughter and the widow of a country
doctor.
!. Aftea much consideration Up finally
mustered eourage for the effort, and
walked into th8 srsaB fJsrlors sent tho
snatll SERVANT t1 sAlig Ora. Muntlo ep.
there for moment if she pleaae
Gracious r thought Mrs. Muntie.
"What can he want ?"
Then she blushea brightly, settled
her necktie, took off her apron and
walked demurely in. a.
''Be. seated, mama, " said Mr.. Patter-
son. Please to sit here. Allow me
to sit near you. I have something to
say which may require some considera-
ton"
30 dear, its coming !'gaid Mrs.
Muntle.
81 suppose you know I'm man of
considerable means, ma'am," said the
old bachelor, table to buy nice house,
furnish it we'll, and live in it comforta-
bly, r ,., NJ D...o-.o,, .
said the widow.
"And of course its pleasanter to live
that way than in bachelor lodgings, or at
hotel, j" said Mr.. Patterson.
"Tshould Judge it might be, said
Mrs. Muntle, cautiously.
Yon Judge rightly" said Mr.. Pat
terson, "But you know a bachelor
must be in the hands of servants if he
keeps house. A gentleman don't want
that he wants o lady to superintend
things for him; some one Of taste and
refinement and all that. Common peo-
pie don't understand his feelings and
mercenary servants are very poor de-
pendence." :"
"I know that, said Mrs. Muntle.
"You are almost as much alone as l,
amt you, Mrs Muntle p said Mr. Pat
terson, coaxingly.
"The doctor knGly 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 i%s
true. All my children are married. ~
"I know money would be no OBJ
iect to You" said Mr.. Patterson. ''You
have enough. But if l were to tell you
that I hated boarding-houses, and
wanted home think you would have
pity on me. I'll buy beautiful house,
and you shall have complete control of
everything; only to make my straw
berry short-oake for me all my life. :"
He paused and looked at the lady.
THAT is delicately put, he thought.
Nor will you hire out for house
keeper in that, / fancy" 4
"I amt romantic, though, " said Mrs.
Muntle; "but, still, We amt young
neither of us, and il gets to be just that
with the most sentimental after awhile.
Don't refuse me, pleaded Mr. Pat
terson.
"Well, Mr.. Patterson, won't" said
Mrs. Muntle. ''I'm my own mistress,
and though I've never thonsht Of Sc
cond marriage, why, think I'm war
rented inlmaking one. And, no doubt,
/ shall never repent, for I think you've
fine disposition, and I understand
your ways and tastes.
Mr.. Patterson listened. He saw
what he had done; proposed and been