The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-10-08
THE RED WIG.

LIE hEO w III.
And Fanny said the pretty Mrs,
Mellison. beautiful young widow OF
Twenty-Five, concluding a series of di-
rections TO her confidential waiting
maid, tif Mr.. Thomas Tompkins calls,
you may show him up
The red haired one?' asked the
waiting maid, with infinite scorn.
Yes. Fanny, the gentleman with
auburn hair. Show him up directly.
But if his cousin Henry asks for me,
Il hate to tell him so, said the wait
ing maid.
4 why, Fanny? Have you any con-
scientious seruples aqOut saying / am
not at home tohim p
'Oh dear no, ma'am! I'd Just as
leave say you'd gone to Roxbury, on
visit to your relatives, and wouldn't
| be back for a week it's my duty,
ma'am. But l hate to disappOint
such nice, pretty-spoken, dark hair
! ed, genteel young gentleman as Mr..
Henry l
! How much has he given you to adj
vOcate his cause, Fanny?'
! Not penny, ma'am. I'd have you
to know scorn bribe. And I never
see the COLOR of his money, and don't
know whether he Is rich or poor. But
1 declare it's a burning shame, and
everybody says so, to see that young
gentleman a wastin' away like a taller
candle in consumption, and YOU al
ways q snqbbiH' of him, at the same
time you're affOrdini every encourage
ment to that stupid, red haired ordinary
chap-his cousin. Therei I've spoke
my mind, maianl, and feel relieved,
even if you was to dismiss me the
next blessed mint. Oh, ma'am, you're
rich andindependentn now why-since
you've made up your mind to marry
again-don' you take up with Mr..
Henry's offer? He's so sensible, and
spirightly, and hansome.n
So was my first husband said the
widow, with sigh.
More reason you shouldn't marry a
lump of ugliness, said Fanny.
YOU didn't know the late Mr.. Melli-
son?' said his reliot.
mo, ma'am.'
We'll, I'Il tell you a secret. He was
master of the house, Fanny?
Well ma'am, and wasn't that
HE ruled me rigidly, Fanny, and
got shockingly tired of nbeying orders
like q private in a marching regiment.
% L nlaQG up WAcn l. Ilt4E~-
ried again that L would marry man
whom l could rule. Now Mr.. Thomas
Tomkins is just the sort of person /
was looking for he il all gentleness
and docility. DO you understand me
noW?
'Yes'm,' said Fanny, dropping sar-
castle courtesy. And / wish you joy
of your bargain. A nasty red-haired \
thing she added, as she banged out
of the room and slammed the door be-
hind her,
The echo of her exit had hardly died
away, when the door opened and the
elegant Henry Tomkins made his ap-
pearance,
You here =? exclaimed the widow,
in marked tone of displeasure.
Yes, Maria, replied the young man
firmly, i knew YOU were at home, |
and hraFed your anger for the sake
of seeing you once more, of knowing |
your fiuaI decision.'
I reject your offer, sir, said the lady |
decidedly, with many. thanks for the |
honor. I have already bestowed my
hand upon your eousin.'
1T is well for him that he is my /
cousin, QtherWise-l
Sir This is not q tone to use in nay
presence said the widowi You have
no right to employ it. Retire, and /
when you are in better temper, per-
haps l may receive you as friend.'
Maria said the young man, may
you never have occasion to regret our
course. Adieu! May you be happy
And without trusting himself with |
further wards, he retired from the
presence of the widowed beauty.
He is very handsome and accom-
plished, sighed the lady. If he had
remained five minutes longer my eyes
would have betrayed my admiration
What pity he has will of his own y
The person who next entered, after !
some interval, was the favored suitor. I
He was dressed In shocking bad taste,
but the crying sin of his appearance
was his unfortunate head of hair. Yet |
heseemed proud of his burning shame
Tor he wore it long and curled, and |
frequently ran his fingers through it, /
as he glanced at its startling brilliancy |
reflected in the huge mirror.
so you have come at last said the |
widow, severely.
'Yes'm' answered the favored suitor.
very timidly. 'I'm behind time'm, /
but had to wait'm.'
'Wait, sir? Where have you been? p
'Bar6erIs'm,' said the terrified youth, I
casting another surreptitiuous glance |
at the mirror.
Have you arranged your wardrobe |
for the approaching ceremony? p asked I
the widow.
'Yes'm, and hope yeu'll like 'em /;
blue coat, bright buttons yellow vest,
buff kerseys, pumps and bow-knOt Fib- |
bons in 'em.'
'RidiculousD y said the lady impet-
uously. 'Countermand the order. You |
must be dressed in black
'Yes'm, yes'm,' answered the bride
,set, L., 4
Pm going out in the carriage, now |
shopping said the lady, 'and want
you to go with ne,'
'Yes'm, certainly-happy- proud
dear Maria y the last words came out |
with jerk, and were received with
frown.
Ring that bell,' said the lady.
Mr., Thomas Tomkins jerked the bell
so nervOusly that the handle came off. +
He received a severe reprimand for his
awkwardness-. Fanny answered the
bell, and was directed to tell the coach
man to harness but the coachman
swore that he wouldn't go out again, |
as he'd been out twice already that |
morning.
This it is be a poor lone woman p
said the lady, bursting into tears. !
Send him up here, Fanny
John soon made his appearance. He
was burlY Englishman, and evident
ly fond of strong beer.
Shall demonstrate with him, Ma
ria asked Mr.. Tompkins, very timid-
ly.
demonstrate y repeated the lady,
with scornfuI smile. If you had
the spirit of a man
Il thought you didn't like spirit,
said Mr.. Tompkins. lE
'There are occasions, sir said the.
her utterance.
My dear fellow said Mr.. Tompkins
to the coachman, 4 think you ought
to consider