The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1874-04-03
MATRIMONIAL ADVENTURE.

- SIG lJtSstus n M6dlGlly uuuG, Ill III
firm health, the story ran, had willed
her an immense fortune, of which,
. at any day, she might become the
:, mistress. Quoted at nineteen, she
looked older; but such anachron-
: isms are common in feminine chro-
l. nology. Her figure was thinnish, her
hair reddish, her eyes gfayish, and
not quite parallel. If you don't
fancy the picture, we can only say
you would have passed for no Judge
at Swellcove.
= Among the visitors at the "Cove''
that season was a nice young man
from the city. We need not describe
him more psrticularly-to know one
of these nice young men is to know
all. His name was De Quincy Dot
hunter.
Mr.. Dothunters business was gen
teel idleness. By his own account,
he was down on the right side of the
I books of rich uncle, whom the life
; tables didn't give over five years to
run, to say nothing of the family
gout, and hopeful contingency Of
apoplexy.
How in the world'a young lady of
Miss Wishbone's cleverness could
tolerate such puppy as De Quincy
Dothunter was the oft-expressed
wonder of the crowd of envious COM
petitors to whom it was obvious that
that gentleman's attention was more
favorably received than their own.
But women are law unto them
selves. The fact is--and we are
competent to state it, letting the rea-
son go-that Miss Wishbone exhibit
ed so marked preference for Mr..
Dothunter's society that that gen
tleman as good as had the field
to himself.
Both were too discreet to be precip-
itate. There was none of that head
long falling in love, which is never
found in polite society. They had
sat on the sand and padded in the
surf together many times, before
anything which might be called of
tender nature passed between them.
And when Mr.. Dothunter did venture
a hint at the state of his feelings, the
lady at once cut him short.
"That is q matter first to be dis
cussed between our relatives" she
said.
Certainly, but"
"Come, L can't hear another word
now. My aunt will be down here to-
morrow, and if your uncle"
Mr.. Dothunter looked blank.
"My uncle" he said with some
confusion Of voice and manner-"the
fact is, my uncle is so chained down
to business-his nose so kept to the
mercantile grindstone - you know
how it is with these old fellows-be-
sides, he is a confirmed invalid, con-
fined most of the time to his room" "
Every well, sir," replied the firm
young lady, "till he and my aunt
have talked the affair over, l can
have nothing to say.
Mr. Dothunter's face frightened at |
length.
"What time could your aunt see
my uncle?" he asked.
"Any time after to-morrow-say
five o'clock"
81 will return to the city this eve
ming" said Mr. Dothunter, "and
make personal appeal to my un-
cle."
Mr.. Dothuhter took his leave on
the next train for the city.
At the time appointed, Mr.. Dot
hunters uncle, sprucely attired ell
derly gentleman, called at the prin-
cipal Swellcove hotel, and having
sent up his card, was duly ushered
into the presence of genteel looking
elderly lady.
Bows and compliments exchanged,
the business of the meeting was at
once proceeded to.
"My nephew, madam, the gentle
man began, "ipforms me that his
happiness depends upon the answer
you shall give to tie demand which
he has deputed me to make of your
nieces hand"
This is too grave matter to be
decided hastily,s she said, "Arabella,
you see, is very young-and then the
fortune she will, at no distant day,
inherit" A hacking cough inter
rupted the sentence.
"And my nephew's prospects,"
warmly broke in the old gentleman,
''most people will call not inconsider-
able. The house of Trett & Co., of
which I have the honor to be the
head, is not, I believe, unknown in
commercial circles. My nephew will
come in for all 1 have-and very
soon too, 1 fear," Mr.. Trett added,
making not very successful effort
to look frail.
"The importance of such union
makes deliberation all the more neces-
sary," replied the lady, "I would
suggest at least years delay"
"a yearp Mr.. Tfett fairly bound
ed in his chair. Had he been him
self the lover his disappointment
could scarcely have been more mani
fest. "Good heaven! Consider,
madamel Ny nephew is of an i'm
patient temper, and if your niece
loves him as he loves her, they will
certainly be driven to elope, and
what would you do then, madam"
"Of course I should forgive her,
poor dear-she is all l have left in
the world; but then it would kill me
if she acted SO, said the old lady,
crying and coughing together.
Mr.. Tretts eyes fairly glistened
with pleasure. The answer to his
last question which he had waited
for with eagerness, was plainly salts
factory.
Next day Mr.. Dothunter rushed