Weekly Trinity journal., 1874-01-17
BREAKING AN ENGAGEMENT.

titioner of medicine, sat in his room, sec
ond story front, one morning, running
his eyes over medical book, when a
knock was heard at the door.
The young doctor turned pale. He
knew that knock only too we'll. He felt
sure that it was administered by the
knuckles of Miss Susan Jones, his land
lady, whose name in brazen letters adorn-
ed the front door below.
But why should DR.. Ingalls, turn pale
at the thought of meeting Miss Jones?
Let me explain. have said that the
doctor was practitioner of medicine.
| should rather say that he was pro-
fessor of the medical art, and had been
laboring hard for the last six months to
become a practitioner. But alas the
community in general didn't "see it," to
adopt current phrase.
He had had only one patient during
that period, an old Irish woman who had
taken little too much whisky, and had
conceived the idea that she was going TO
die. The compensation received from
Mrs. Rafferty, went very small way to-
ward defiaying his personal expenses.
The natural consequence was, that ut the
end of six months, the doctor was con-
siderably in arrears. In fact, he hadn't
paid cent of his board bill, and he knew
very we'll that Miss Jones intended TO
bring it in that morning.
Accordingly in answer to the knock he
remarked in feeble voice, "come in"
The knocker did come in.
Miss Susan Jones presented the APP
pearance of lady with no "nonsense
about her. She was sharp, practical,
business-like woman of thirty-cight. She
was rather tall, rather bony, rather angu-
lar, and rather homely.
Good morning, Miss JONES'" said DR..
Robert Ingalls,, rather uneasiy.
" Morning." said the spinstcr.
" Fine morning." ventured DR.. Robert
Ingalls,"
" Haven't had time to look out" re-
marked Miss Jones. Here's your bill
for six months board, DIR. Ingalls,"
The young man took it and gazed at it
steadastly, as if it was very interesting
document indeed.
" hope you will find it right" said
Miss Jones, sharply. "Twenty-sx weeks
board at five dollars per week amounts to
one hundred and thirty dollars precisely"
" Precisely" returned Robert, hastily.
" 1t is quite correct, | assure you. Could
you leave it with me n day or two?"
" | mean to leave it with you pcrma-
nently," said Miss Jones, con condition
of course that you pay me the money"
"I-I haven't got it this morning."
faltored DR.. ingalls,.
" didn't suppose you had" said Miss
Jones.
" You didn't" the young man could
not help exclaiming in surprise.
" No, and therefore have thought of
different way of settlement"
Professional servccs?" suggested DR..
Robert, frightening up.
Pooh ~ said Miss Susan, 81 don't
need DOCTORS services, and if | did I'd
go to somebody that had more expert
rence than YOU"
"Oh!" said the young man humbly.
"No, it's something different | have to
ux Il | EnI
it quite n burden TO go to market, and
attend to everything. have been think
ing it might be woll for me to marry--in
order to secure assistance, ID just as lief
marry you as anybody. | believe there's
some difference in age. You are-let me
see, how old?" "Twenty-six I" faltered
DIR. Ingalls,, looking at her in alarm.
"And | am thrty-eight. Well, it will
not be a love match. | take it we are
both too sensible for that. However, III
tell you what III do: I'll give you your
board besides receiptng this bill, if.you
see fit to marry me-"
"And if not?" asked young DR.. In
gals, under his breath.
" You'll be in jail before night. I'll
give you to dinner to think of it. Oh !
I'll give you hundred dollars year be-
sides, to buy your clothes for three years
to come. BY that time you'll be in prac-
tice, and will earn enough to buy 'em
yourself. Good morning You can let
me know at dinner"
Miss Jones deliberately left the room.
Poor Bob (excuse the familiarity, but
| knew him when boy sat plunged in
sorrowful thought, and then putting on
his hat, left the house for a short walk.
lie stopped at the post-oflicc, where he
found letter from his tailor asking for
the payment of that /" little BILL"
"The die is cast !" he said. "I'll sac
rifce myself"
lie walked back and appended his sig
nature to the following document
81, Robert ingalls,, NJ. d., hereby
agree to marry Miss Susan Jones, spin
ster, month from date.
ROBERT INGALLS,, Nj. d."
Thereupon Miss Jones handed him his
board bill receipted.
Three days later, Bob ingalls, (excuse
the familiarity once more) sat revolving
his unhappy fate in his mind, when let
ter reached him OF his aunts death and
moreover that by her death he came into
property valued at from five to six thous-
and dollars.
His first emotions were joyful. But
there followed the grievous thought that
Miss Jones had his promise of marriage,
and would undoubtedly sue him for
breach of promise if he failed to abide by
IL. and tho damapes wou1d swallow up