The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1874-01-08
The Red Wig.

twenty y-uHe, cO0cluOlnB q series OF Ill
rections to her confidential waiting
maid, ''if Mr.. Thomas Tomkins calls,
you may show him up"
1.-THE red-haired one ?" asked the
waiting-maid, with infinite scorn.
eyes, Fanny, the gentleman with
auburn hair. Show him up directly.
But If his cousin Henry asks for me,
say am not at home"
81 hate to tell him So" said the
waiting-maid.
"Why, Fanny? Have you any
conscientious scruples about saying I
am not at home to him ?"
"Oh dear no, ma'am! I'd Just as
leave say you'd gone to Roxbury,on q
visit to your relatives, and wouldn't
be back for q week; it's my duty,
ma'am. But l hate to disappoint
such a nice, pretty-spoken, dark
haired, genteel yoang gentleman as
Mr.. Henry"
"How much has lie given you to
advocate his cause, Fanny"
''Not penny, ma'am. I'd have
you to know1 scorn bribe. And /
never see the color of his money, and
don't know whether he is rich or
poor. But 1 declare it's burning
shame, and everybody says so, to see
that young gentleman wastin'
away like q taller candle ia a con-
sumption, and you always a snubbin'
of him, at the same time you're af-
fordin' every announcement to that
stupid, red.haired, ordinary chRp-bis
cousin. ThereI I've spoke my mind,
ma'am, and feel relieved even If you
I 70 dis fccv ha hlaaan1
minnit. Oh, ma'am, you're rich and
made up your mind to marry again
don't you take up with Mr., Henry's
offer? He's so sensible, and spIight-
ly, and handsome
$50 was my first husband, "said the
widow, with slight sigh.
more reason you shouldn't marry
lump Of ugliEess," said Fanny.
'You didn't know the late Mr.. NJ ell
lison ?" said the relict.
"No, ma'am."
"Well. PI tell you a secret. He
was master of the house, Fanny"
"Well, ma'am, and wasn't that
right?'
"He ruled me rigidly, Fanny, and I
got shockingly tired of obeying OIL
ders, like private in marching reg
iment. So made up my mind when
l married again that would marry q
man whom could rule. Now, Mr.
: Thomas Tompkins is just the sort of
person was looking for; he is all
gentleness and docility. Do you un-
derstand me now?p
"Yes'm," said Fanny sulkily, drop
ping q sarcastic courtesy. "And 1
wish you joy of your bargain-a mas
! ty, red-haired thingw she added, as
she banged out of the room and slam
med the door behind her.
the echo of her exit had hardly
died away, when the door opened and
the elegant Henry Tompkins made
his appearance.
"You herew exclaimed the widow
in marked tone of displeasure.
"Yes, Maria," replied the young
man, firmly; 'I knew you were at
home, and L braved your anger for
the sake Of seeing you once more, of
knowing your final deeision.n
"I reject your offer, sir" said the la
dy, decidedly, "with many thanks for
the honor. have already bestowed
my hand upon your cousin.n
| II ID well lOI LII ludI nc Is uJ
cousin, Otherwise
"Sir! This is not tone to use in
my presence" said the widow; ''you
have no right to employ it. Retire,
and when you are in better temper,
perhaps L may receive you as a
friend"
"Maria," said the youngman, "may
you never have occasion to regret
your course. Adieu! May you be
happy"
And without trusting himself with
further words, he retreated from the
presence of the widowed beauty.
"He is very handsome and accom-
plished, !" signed the lady. "If he had
remained five minutes longer my
eyes would nave betrayed my admf-
ration. What a pity he has will of
his ownu'
The person who next entered, after
long interval, was the favored suit
or. He was dressed in shocking bad
taste, but the crying sin of his appear
ance was his unfortunate head OF
hair. Yet he seemed proud of his
burning shame" for he wore it long
and curled, and frequently ran his fin
gers through it, as he glanced at its
startling brilliancy reflected in the
huge mirror.
$50 you've come at last" said the
widow, severely.
"Yes'm," answered the favored
suitor, very timidIy. "pm behind
time'm, but had to waipm."
"Wait, sir? Where have you
been ?"
| Gfporhar,s,r, - soid A. Eovr;fod
youth, casting another surreptitious
glance at the mirror.
Have you arranged your ward
robe for the approaching ceremony ?"
asked the widow. - -.
"Yes'm, and hope you'll like 'em;
blue coat, bright buttons, yellow vest,
buff kerseys, pumps, and bowknot
ribbons in 'em."
Ridiculous p' said the lady, impe-
riously. 4'Countermand the order;
you must be dressed in black"
"Yes'm, yes'm," answered the
bridegroom, with hurried emphasis.
"I'm going out in the carriage, now,
shopping" said the lady, 'and [ want
you to go with me-"
"Yes'm, certainly-happy-proud-
dear Maria p' the last words came out
with jerk, and were received with a
| frown.
"Ring that bell" [" said the lady.
Mr.. Thomas Tompkins jerked the
bell so nervously that the handle
came off. He received a severe repri-
m2nd for his awkwardness. Fanny
answered the bell, and was directed
to tell the coachman to harness; but
she came back to say that the coach
man swore that he wouldn't go out
again, as he'd been out twice already
that morning.
"Thus it is to be q poor lone wo-
man ~ said the lady, bursting into
tears. "Send him up here, Fanny"
John soon made his appearance.