Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-10-25
mrs. GREEN'S SON-IN-LAW

AAA&Ns OAAAA4s ~ AOAS AAS ILL " =
"Wel1, Sarepta, I've found out all
about them"
Mrs. Green sat herself down in front
of the fire, took off her bonnet and shed
upon her daughter smile of great salts
faction.
Found out all about whom, man.
MAJ" Sarepta questioned, with sweet
occurrences.
"Well, upon my word, you are the
most obtuse girl of lay acquaintance.
When you saw me come in just now,
you understood that I'd been out walk
ing, I suppose? Yes? Well, Pm glad
you did. You know [ don't often go
out walking without an object, [ sup
pose I'm encouraged to find that
you understand that, too. And you
rem ember those two young men we
met twice yesterday, when we went to
your Aunt Jane? Of course you do;
you needn't answer that. Well, now,
knowing that have been out, and with
an object, does it occur to you that /
went to find out all could about these
two young menu"
It will be seen that Mrs. Green had the
gift of speech in addition to her many
other attainments. Her daughter, too,
was fair practitioner, in her native
tongue, but on this occasion she merely
said
But don't see why you should
want to find out anything about them
"Of course not" responded the ma.
tron. "But if I were your daughter,
and you were my mother you would
understand it we'll enough"
"Why, what in the world has that got
to do with it, mamma ?"
But the young lady still kept her eyes
rather too persistently fixed upon her
little bit of embroidery, and it is to be
feared that she was fencing with her
parent.
"You know well enough that it has
everything to do with it," responded
Mrs. Green. "When two handsome
young men meet us together in the
street, and then put themselves out of
the way to run against us again, you
don't suppose they take such pains to
get another look at me, do your"
"They might. I'm sure you're worth
looking at twice." responded the daugh-
ter, very prettily.
That's nonsense, and you know it..
They wanted to see you. You're young
and rather good looking, although you
are not altogether my style; and there
are not SO many young and pretty girls
in this village that strange young men
are going to neglect any of them"
ooh, mamma How you talk"
talk like a prudent woman, and
act like one; SO went out to find out
all about those two young men. One
of them will do very we'll indeed"
(Which one is it who will do?' in
quired Sarepta, laughing, and begin
ming now to show little shy interest
in the subject.
THAT one with an Ulster overcoat
on" replied the elder lady, shooting a
very sharp glance at the young one.
Why, they both wore Ulsters," put
in Sarepta, falling into the trap with
great simplicity.
"Aha [ thought So" chuckled the
astute Mrs. Green. You noticed
them little, while they noticed you a
good deal. Well, it's the tallest one, [
mean; the one with the dark complex
ion and black moustache. Charles Ed
gerton bis name is"
"The other one is much the best
looking and the most gentlemanly, I
think" said the daughter.
George Merton. Oh, yes; but he
won't do st all. He is handsome, and
has plenty of talent. too; but he has
neither money nor position. Mr.. Ed
gerton has plenty of both, so he's the
one that will do"
"Why, thought" end then sa-
repta stopped and bit her lip.
Thought what?''
Nothing; only that we were doing
rather queer thing, discussing these
two gentlemen as if they belonged to
U.S."
"Queer, maybe, but prudent" and
the prudent mother withdrew to medl-
tate upon the advantages of son-in-
law with both money and position.
The fact goes without saying thai
there is more or less Wickedness in
this world. If there were not good
Mrs. Green would have been spared
the surprise, mingled with humiliation
that fell upon her That same evening.
Mother and daughter had set them
selves down beside the evening lamp tt
chat and sew, and to have an alto
gether cosy evening, when the bel
rang, and Mr.. Charles Edgerton ant
Mr.. George Merton were shown intt
the room.