The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-04-21
Selfet Stnry.
COMING TO WOO.

IL you SeI Tue TlSnG klnu vi uuSUaHu,
said Uucle Jotham Kingsley, chucking
me under the chin. II know where
there's good chance for you, Susan-a
splendid chance
"Where?" asked. somewhat amused
at Uncle Jotham's seriousness.
ooh. up to Baskerville" said Uncle
Jotham knowingly. "Only say you'll
consider the matter soberly, and I'll send
him down"
"Of course I will consider the matter
soberly,' / answered, not having the
fairtest idea that Uncle lothian would
take me at nv word.
But he did; for about week after his
departure / received the following letter,
which, from its appearance generally,
had most likely cost him whole days
work:
"MY DEAR NIECE SUSAN: I take my
pen in hand to inform you that am well
An hope these fu lines will find yu en-
joyin' the same blessin'. On account of
your great resemblance to nv dear de
ceased wife. who you was named after,
feel great interest in youl welfare, an
would be glad to see you settle down
and DOM we'll I think good Husband
would be the best thing for you.
'As you promised to consider the
matter soberly If | would send down a
likely respectable man, am goin' to do
so. His name is Caleb Finch He's q
widderer, and has five children, they are
Smart, and you wouldn't have any
trouble with them. He's got so akers
of the best land in the region Of Brash-
vile, s COWS and several horses, He's
goin to start dairy eff he gifts married,
now he don't have anybody to see to
the things, and housekeeping is going to
rack and ruin,
''I've told him all about you an
think you'll suit MIN, only you are most
too young. He will come down the first
Of the week and there won't be nothing
to hinder your maxim good bargain, if
you've only mind to, he was very kind
TO the late Mrs. Finch and spared no ex-
pents when she was sick, her doctor bill
amounting to over 25 dollars. He got
hur the handsomest gravestone that's
ever been set up in the symetry.
"Hopin' you'll Conclude to act for
your interest,I scribe myself Your affeck-
shunate unkle, JoTHAM KINGSLEY.
$40 Miss Susan Spencer. ces
Dear me! I never laughed in all my
life before as did over that letter, with
its awful spelling, and its capitals scat
tered in promiscuously,for all the world,
as Bell said. as though he had shaken
them out of the sand box, and they had
stuck wherever they happened to fall.
But the most laughable part Of it was
the idea that he had actually got hus
hand looked up for me, and was going
to send him down to me.
You're lucky young lady, saidsBell,
with tears in her eyes, the moment she
stopped laughing enough to utter CO
herent word "Only think how kind he
was to the deceased Mrs Finch If you
should die, you'd have the consoling
thought to cheer your last hours, thai
he'll get you handsome gravestone,a e,and
that he will pay your doctors bill cheer
fully, even if it does amount to ovel
twenty FIVE dollars. You will be attend.
ed to regardless of expense have not
the least doubt"
"And with FIVE children I" said I, gasp.
ing with laughter "But they are smart,
that's ano onpoalotiop -
what pity that you, are so young
said Bell, making an, effort to recover
her dignity, and failing signally in the at
tempt. It's too bad that you can't have
your age changed by an act of the Leg
islature, to accommodate your expected
Mr.. Finch Mrs Finch! That sounds
spleudidly, doesn't it2 Ifll look nice,
too, when he has you deposited by the
late Mrs. Finch in the 'symetry' Dear
dear! who ever did hear of anything
quite 80 comical before 2"
'But what's to be done ?" asked l. as
the real state Of the case began to make
itself apparent "And here we are, left
to keep house while mother is visiting
Next week Mr.. Finch is coming to-
"Coming to woop said Bell! "Mr.
Fitch coming to wool" 81 rioo
"And want to know what we arc
going to do with him p demanded =
You're gong to marry him, of course,
answered Bell. 81 advise you to fall to
and begin to consider the matter as On.
Gle lothian requested. Think it over
prayerfully and well, and let the argu
meut of the late Mrs. Fiuch's gravestone
weigh in Mr. Finch's favor"
"It's all we'll enough for you to laugh
said l, Indignantly; "but if you were in
my place you'd think of it differently
How am l to get rid of the wretch
What under the sun possessed Uncle
lothian to send him off down here?
never was so provoked in all my life,
neverr' ~
"Ill tell you what I'll do" Bell said
after silence Of minute or two. "Ht
don't know how you look, and were J. to
pass myself off for you, he'd never know
the difference I'll be Susan if you'll bs
Bell, and I'll get rid of Mr.. Finch fol
you"
"If you only would" cried I.
II will" answered Bel, her eyes spark
lieg with anticipated pleasure; 81 am go
ing to make Mr.. Finch think that Tn
deaf-deaf as post! Oh, my! won
il be jolly, thought"
Bell leaned back in her chair, an6
laughed till her sides ached,
Monday morning Mr.. Finch came.
We took good look at him from the
window as he came up the path He wa:
little man, with red hair, and no eye;
to speak of. The poor gentleman evi
IDENTIFY had on his Sunday clothes, ant
looked i'll at ease in consequence. Per
haps his mission helped make him ner.
vous. H
"From this time forth, as long as he
stays, am deaf, remember" said Bell
~ shan't be able to hear anything shor
of respectable scream"
went to the door.
"Is this Miss Susan Spencer ?" bt
asked $50
"Susan is in the sitting-room," l an
swered. "lll introduce you. You are
Mr.. Finch, l suppose?''
"Yes'm, Caleb Finch," he responded
so solemaly that wanted to scream
We went 10 the sitting-room where