Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1875-11-03
myself ard | said some of 'em / did,
and some again didn't.

|
She had written lecture, | think,
Cor the purpose of putting them down,
and she was a-going to deliver it in
my parlor one night; only | says to
her, says I, ''NIiss Swiffles," says |,
'I'm poor widow, depending on my
boarders, for living, and as most of
'em are of the male sex it might give
'em offence to tell 'em all them dread
ful things about themselves, and how
you despise EN- so, Miss Swiffles.'
So she gave up the idea, and | was
thankful.
Well, after Mr., Dinkie came, l no
tced Miss Swiffies and he used to ar
cue together agood deal. Sometimes,
too, he used to see her to church and
to lectures. | had my eyes about me-
and | noticed that she used to dress
herself up very smart indeed after he
came.
Then he came and asked me now
much | eckoned she had a year.
And she asked what | calculated he
owned. | told him that I'd heard
that she had ten thousand pounds, and
L told her what he had, aud how he
cot it. | couldn't tell what she
thonght, but | made up my mind
thereu be a match between 'cm, for
I've always noticed the more lady
talks against the gentlemen, the more
apt she is to have the first one that
makes her an offer Yes, Id made
up my mind that way when, one day,
/ was sitting on the porch outside the
back parlor window, stoning cherries
for if the girl does it she puts more
in l:er mouth than she does in the pan
when | heard Miss Swiffles come
into the parlor, and, about three min
ules, after, Mr.. Dinkie he came in,
I'd like to remark, just here, that
far from me being listening, I'm above
it but l wasn't called upon to 60
away, and l couldn't help hearing,
and this is what / did hear:
Miss Swiffles," said Mr.. Dinkie,
81 am rejoiccd to find you olone.
"Ah !" said Miss Swiffles.
Il have long wished for such an op-
portunity."
"Indeed," said Miss Swiflles.
"You can guess why ?" asked Mr..
Dinkie.
"No, sir, can't" answered Miss
Swifies.
"Is this the coquetry of your sex 2
asked Mr.. Dinkie. "Have you not
seen that / adore you ?"
mo" said Miss Swiffles.
81 have hidden my emotions better
than | supposed l could,' SAID Mr..
Dinkie. "My dear Miss Swiffies,
here on my knees, allow me to offer
you my hand and heart, and beg you
to accept them and the life long devo-
ton Of
"Get up, Mr.. Dinkie," said Miss
Swifles. ''Don't make a goose Of
yourself. l understand that You ask
me to marry you p
"Adorable creature" said Mr.
Dinkie, ''you put the question |
would have asked into the most con-
else FORM"
"I'll put the answer into the same
form, said Miss Swiffies. "No."
"You cannot expect me to relin-
quish my hopes at once" said MIR.
Dinkie. "May | ask why you are
not disposed to consider my PROPOSE
ton ? Will you not consider it, and
answer it more at leisure ?"
81 have considered,' said Miss Swif-
hes.
"But why O. said Mr.. Dinkie.
"Well, if you want to know Why"
said Miss Switfies,' because | like to
be my own mistress. / have plenty
of money, as you know, and three
charming pets, who are worth more
than any six men ever met. |
didn't marry when | was good.look-
ing girl, because even then | couldn't
be sure any man wanted me and not
my property and now | am an ugly
old woman, | shan't throw myself into
the arms of the first fortune hunter
who has calculated that an old maid
will marry any one who asks her.
You waited for dead mems shoes
twenty years, | understand. Now,
probably, you wish to wait for
mine That's why 1 say No., Mr..
Dinkie."
Next thing I heard was the door
slam. Mr.: Dinkie was gone, and
Miss Swiffies was laughing to herself