Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-10-07
PERLINA'S LAST CHANCE.
BY PORTIA.

This" said Mrs. Gafferly, this is
the last time. Perlina Milkin, the very
last time. I've spent enough upon you
since your ma died, and I took charge
OF you, to marry six girls who had their
senses about them. I've dressed you
like a Christmas doll, and I've let you
go into company, and I've sent you to
the most fashionable places to board in
summer, and here you are. four-and-
twenty, and not so much as engaged.
It's perfectly disgusting, Perlina and
what [ have to say is, if you don't set
tie your affairs this summer, I'll give
you no more chances. [ expect to die
in the poor-house as it is. WhyI was
married at seventeen, and your ma at
eighteen, and your Aunt Delight, about
the pIainest little critter [ ever saw,
wasn't but just sixteen. WHAT'S the use
of advantages you have looks,
Perlina-if you don't make use of 'em %
I'm sure [ don't know what you ex-
pect NE to do. I can't very we'll pro-
pose to any one, said Perlina, ready to
cry. q do everything I can, and they
make love to me, I'm sure, and they say
all sorts of things. IF they don't pop
the question, how can [ make them.
There, now; suppose you waited until
Uncle Gaferly asked you to have him
before YOU said you would"
''Your uncle Gafferly would have
committed suicide if [ had refused him."
said aunt Gaferly.
''You may not believe it now, but [
was a beauty In my youth. AS for what
you can do, you ought to know; but
what [ say is this : come home engaged,
Or I'll stop all this useless extravaganza.
five hundred dollars, and you are going
to Saratoga with the Kerosene New
body's and If you can't do it now, I'll
give it up as bad job
With which speech she inflicted on her
niece's cheek that matter of course peck
which female friends chose to call kiss,
and babe her goodbye. And despite
her new wardrobe, her big Saratoga
trunk, the prospective summer gayety,
and the chaperonage of Mrs. Kerosene
Newbody, poor Perlina cried a good
deal in the hired carriage which convey
ed her to the boat. What was she to
do?" To marry might have been easy,
but to marry money-and that was what
she was expected to do-was harder
task.
Aunt Gafferly was a good business
woman, and would not be likely to
spend any more money upon an unsafe
able article and Perlina shivered at the
prospect before her, If this summers
campaign should prove failure. On
the whole she looked so Ill when she ar
rived at Saratoga, that her mirror told
her that her best plan would be to re-
tire early, and to take as much beauty
sleep as possible, in view of any eligible
gentleman that might put in an appear
ance next day.
Fresh as a rose, and dressed in her
becoming morning dress, Perlina took
her seat at the breakfast-table next
morning. ani nestled close to Mrs.
Kerosene Newbody in the most be-
witching manner.
That lady, an ample matron, with a
loud voice greeted her affectionately,
and at once introduced her to two gen.
tlemen who were her neighbors.
$ Mr. Kolt, Miss Milkin, Miss Milkin,
Mr.. Downhill. All old friends OF mine.
Charmed to make you know each other, 2
and then devoted herself to breakfast,
and left those who preferred it to waste
time on conversation And SO Miss.
Milkin, having the field to herself, made
eyes at both her new acquaintances, and
shrewedIy noted amidst her infantlle
gigglings and dimplings that both were
smitten. They were of the age, or
rather of the ages, at which the heart
is most susceptible to the Cupids