The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-10-25
MATCHMAKING.

6" wouldn't marry the best man that
ever lived !"
And she meart it, or, what answers the
same purpose, she thought she meant it.
After all, how few of us ever really know
what we do mean
"I engaged myself once when q
girl, and the simpleton thought he
owned me. I soon took that conceit
out of him, and sent him about his bust
ness"
The voice was now trt1e sharp.
What wonder, with so CALLING a memory2
"No man shall ever tyranniZe over
me-neverI What the mischief do you
suppose is the matter with this sewing
machine
Annoyed at your logic, most like
ly," said my friend, bright eyed
young matron, as she threaded her
needle.
"My husband is not tyrant, Miss
Kent"
clam glad youare satisfied" was the
laconic answer.
1t was quite evident by the expires
sion of the dressmaker's face that she
had formed her own opinion about my
friends husband, and was quite COM
petent to form and express an opinion
Oh any subject.
Miss Kent was little woman, as fair
as q girl and as plump as robin. She
wasn't asham. d to own that she was forty
years CID and an old maid. She had
earned her own living most OF her life,
and was proud of it. Laziness was the
one sin Miss Kent could not forgive.
She was good nurse, faithful friend,
and jolly companion; but stroke her
the wrong way, and you'd wish you
hadn't i'll much shorter time than it
take s ne to writ, 1T. Her views On oil
subjects were strikiLgly original, and
not to be combated.
"What are you going to do when you
are ld2" persisted the mistress OF the
,stnl Iishment.
What other old folks DO, I sup
pose"
" But you can't work forever"
Cant say that want to-"
"Now, Miss Kent, husband with
means, kind, intelligent man -
81 don't want. I don't want any
man. I tell you, Mrs. Carlisle, l
wouldn't marry the best man that ever
lived, if he was as rich as Cra 1us, and
wouid die if l didn't have him. Now il
you have exhausted the marriage ques-
ton, l should like to try on your
dresa.'
That there was something behind all
this I knew we'll. My friends eyes
danced with fun; and as Miss Kent fitted
the waist, she threw me letter from
the bureau.
"Read that" she said, with a know
ing look. cit may smuse you"
This is what the letter said:
"MY DEAR JENNIE I shall be de-
lighted to spend month with you and
your husband. There must be, how
ever, one stipulation about my visit-you
must promise to say no more about mar
riaee. I shall never be foolish again.
Twenty five years ago to-day I wrecked
my whole life."
Better embark in new ship, hadn't
he (" put in Jennie, soto voce.
$50 unsuitable was this marriage, 80
utterly and entirely wretched have been
its cnusequences, that am forced to be-
lievc the marriage institution mistake.
So, for the last time, let me assure you
that wouldn't marry the best woman
that ever lived, if by so doing I could
save her lie. Your old cousin,
"MARK LANSING"
erich, isn't it 2" said Jennie, ard then
pointed to the chubby little figure whose
back happened to be turned.
I shook my head and laughed.
"You'n see," continued the incor-
rigihle.
"Sse what3" inquired Miss Kent,
quite unaware Of our pantomime.
"That particles which are chemically
attracted will unite. OF course an alkali
and an acid-Don't you think this sleeve
is little too long, Miss Kent2"
Not after the seam is off. But what
we're you saying about alkalies and
acids, Mrs. Carlisle7 The other day at
Professor Boynton's 1 saw some wonder
ful experiments.
"Did they succeed2" inquired J Jennie,
demurely.
"Beautifully."
$50 will mine. I never botchod a
job in my life."
81 don't think I quite understand
you," said Miss Kent, perplexed.
"No2 always grow scientific when
talking about marriage, my dear"
"Bother!" was all the little woman
said, bnt the tone was much better ma
tured than expected.
The next week Cousin Mark arrived,
and I liked him at once. An unhappy
marriage would have been the last thing
thought of in connection with the gen.
tleman. He had accepted the situation
like a man, Jennie told me, and for fif-
teen years carried load of misery that
few could have endured. Death came
to his relief at last, and now the poor
fellow honestly believed himself an
alien from domestic happiness.
Singular as it may appear, Cousin
Mark Was the embodiment of good