The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1874-09-18

AdSo w y JOA NAAAANs
''It is a fat little youngster," said
my uncle, gazing at it admiringly.-
"By-the-by, what is it, boy or a
girl?"
That was knotty question for me
! to answer, for he was just as much
acquainted with its gender as was.
But it would not do to show igno-
rance on the subject, SO I answered at
hap-hazard that it was boy.
II am sorry it is boy" said my
uncle; "there are too many boys in
the family. Now if you had only
produced little blue-eyed girl, you
would have more sensible"
1 assured him that l was sorry that
the gender did not suit, but hoped
in the future his wishes would be
granted.
So far I had succeeded in deceiv-
ing my uncle, but the worst was,
that when Mrs. Kingsley returned,
she might object to my claiming
ownership of her child. Besides,
to carry out my deception, I must
find wife as well as an infant, and
Mrs. Kingsley was the only one 1
could conveniently claim. The only
difficulty was to get her consent to
the deception, and that might be
done if I could only secure private
conversation with her to my uncle,
then it would be all right.
I watched my opportunity, gained
a chance, and had an interview with
her before she entered the room. l
told her, in few and hurried words,
the extent of my difficulty, and how
1 had taken the liberty of acting as
papa for the little one. 1 then told
her that I must find a wife some
where, and begged her to allow me
to introduce her to my uncle in that
capacity. She laughed very heartily
at the suggestion, said she compre-
hended my difficulty, and consented
to my proposal, and very roguishly
warned me not to presume upon its
recurrence.
We then entered the parlor, and
introduced her as my better half
My uncle was very much pleased
with her, and complimented me upon
my good choice. Mrs. Kingsley, of
coulSs, colored most charmingly at
his compliment, and could plainly
see that she could scarcely refrain
from laughing.
"You have a fine boy here" said
my uncle to Mrs. Kingsley, pointing
to the cradle.
"Excuse me, sir" said she, color
ing up again; "it's a girl.
l was dumbfounded. [ was ex-
posed in my iniquity. Would my
uncle believe me after this? He
looked from me- to my pretty land
lady with a puzzled countenance.
"Well, I always took it for boy"
was my answer, putting on a bold
face, "but I suppose my wife knows
best.
Here Mrs. Kingsley fairly screamed |
with laughter, and my uncle's stern
face relaxed into an ironical smile.
"You are nice father, amt you?"
he said, touching me with the point
of his umbrella, "not to know the
sex of your own child? Why, I
knew it was a girl the moment I
looked at it. But, Charlie, " he said,
again addressing me, "what did you
do with the goblet and pap-spoon
sent the little one?"
"Eh, they are perfectly safe, I as
sure you," 1 replied. 81 have taken
good care of them"
eyes; but where in the deuce are
they? 1 would like very much to
take another look at them"
"Well, I have deposited them in
bank for safe keeping; but I can
readily produce them-that is, in the
course of weeks time"
He told me to do SO, he wanted to
see them; and then / got out Of the
room for fear he might ask me some
more perplexing questions.
A short time afterwards, Mrs.
came to me in an adjoining
room, and / saw Immediately that
very humorous must have
for the corners Of her
mouth were breaking into smiles.
"Do you know, sir, into what an
awkward predicament you have got
me?" she inquired, as she took a seat
on the lounge by my side.
Explain yourself, said.
"Why, your uncle came to me (
short time ago, and asked to see my
marriage certificate, and said he had
some money to settle on me immedi- 4
ately, but wanted to be sure that all
was right, first"
"Did you expose me-" inquired,
lnxiously. s
"No, sir, / did not; for I never en-
ter into deception, or anything else {
by halves" " !
was so elated that I could not
the temptation of en- I
bracing her This did not make her
angry, for she nestled her head cozi- {
" ON my shoulder, and smiled Sc
renely.
"What answer did you make him?"
asked.
She hesitated amoment, and then
5aid:
~ promised to produce the mar
rage certificate" "
"But we haven't got any" then {
She INDUCED in a quite little laugh | !
o herself, but said nothing. Il
"AIrs. Kingsley-nay, my dear ,
will call you my dar- {
ing-we are both in a scrape, and a
here is but one way TO get out Of it. I
We must go and get married irnme-
lately" Z
81 shall be delighted, " she answer
ID, frankly, and selling both my q
lands, said she was ready for a frolic L