The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1875-08-25
Vol. XII.

she paid for 'em. I remember
asking her once why she hadn't
married, and she said she always
felt that the male sex was beneath
her, and that she couldn't promise
to obey any Of 'em. She asked
me if I didn't feel to despise 'em
myself; and I said some of 'em I
did, and some again I didn't.
She had written a lecture, I
think for the puspose of putting
'em down, and she was ago.
ing to deliver it in my parlor
one night, only l says to her, says
I, ''Miss Swifies," says I, 'I'm
only q poor widow, depending on
my boarders for living, and as
most Of 'em are of the male sex, it
might give 'em offense to tell'em all
them dreadful things about them
selves, and how you despised 'em
so, Miss Swifles." So she gave up
the idea, and I was thankful.
Well, after Mr.. Dinkie came, l
noticed Miss Swihes and he used
to argue together good DEAL
Sometimes, too, he used to see her
to church andeto lectures. I had
nv eyes about me, and 1 noticed
that she used to dress herself up
very smart indeed after he
came.
Then he came and asked me
how much I reckoned she had a
wear. And she asked me what l
calculated he owned. l told him
that I'd heard she had ten thousand
pounds, and I told her what he had,
and how he got it. I couldn't tell
what she thought, but 1 made up
nv mind that there'd be match
between 'em for I've always no.
ticed the more a lady talks against
the gentlemen the moro apt she is
to have the first one that makes
her an offer. Yes, I'd made up my
mind to that when, one day, l was
sitting Oh the porch outside the
back parlor window, stoning cher
ries-for if the girl does it she
puts more in her mouth than she
does in the epan-when I heard Miss
Swifaes come into the parlor, and
about three minutes after, Mr..
Dinkie he came in.
I'd like 10 remark, just here,
that far from me a listening I'm
above it; but I wasn't called upon
to go away, and I couldn't help
hearing, and thisis what I did hear:
"Miss Swifles," said Mr.. Dinkie,
u am rejoiced to find you alone"
"Ah!" said Miss Swiaes.
II have long wished for such an
opportunity"
"Indeed," said Miss Swifies.
"You can guess whyr' asked
Mr.. Dinkie.
"No, sir, I can't" answered Miss
Swifles.
"Is this the coquetry of your
sex?" asked MIR. Dinkie. "Have
you not seen that I adore you p
"No," said Miss Swif1es.
ri have hidden my emotions
better than I supposed [ could
said Mr.. Dinkie. "My dear Miss
SwifHes, here on my knees allow
me to offer you my hand and heart
and beg you accept them and the
life long devotion Of"
"Get up, Mr.. Dinkie," said Miss
Swif1es. "Don't make goose OF
yourself. I understand that you
ask me to marry you?"
"Adorable creature" said Mr.
Dinkie, "you put the question l
would have asked into the most
concise FORM"
"Ill put the answer into the
same form," said Miss Swifaes
| ssNow
"You cannot expect me to relin'
quish my hopes at once," said Mr.
Dinkie. MAY I ask why you are
not disposed to consider my pro
position? Will you not consider
it, and answer it more at leis
ure ?"
II have considered,"' said Mis-
Swimes.
"But why?" said Mr.. Dinkie
"Well, if you want to know
Why" said Miss Swifies, "becausf
1 like to be my own Mistress
I have plenty Of money as yor
know, and three charming pets
who are worth more than any siz
men ever met. I didn't marry
when 7 was a good-looking girl
because even then I couldn't b.
sure any man wanted me and no
ooJ pn1r 7 ON or