The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1877-01-12

taste upon every suitor To inherit for
tune and then to lose It by the caprice Of
4 mother No, this must not be. AramiDta
should not risk such disappointment. !
was the gallant knight to rescue her from
thralldon; Araminta and her 800 pounds
per annum should lie mine. Worldly wis
dom taught me that first of all I ought to
conciliate the mamma. Ny soul despised
artifce, but it was for her-for Araminta's $
sake, And the poor girl was grateful. In
the presence OF Mrs. Johnson | was cold
and distant to nay beloved, but I felt sure
that Araminta saw through the ruse.
| had not long been a frequent visitor
at the little Cononbury villa ere i began to
fear that in the pursuit Of Araminta's af
fec.ion | had a rival. At first only heard
of Mt. John Smith through Mrs. Johnson,
who informed ME that he was a most de-
sirable young man to know, and that she
hoped we should shortly become acquaint-
ed. Smith, it was said, was a handsome
young fellow; Smith was an accomplished
man, his vocal ability being somewhat
marvellous; Smith was well-to-do; Smith
was of good family-in short Smith was
everything desirable, and my ears were.
tired Of his name ere / once set eyes upon
him
One night he accompanied my friends to
church, and with disgusting impertinence
placed himself next to Araminta. They
shared the same hymn book, and seemed
to be on the most agreeable terms.
I could have struck my rival to the earth
when, on issuing from the church, Ara
miuta gave me nod Of recognition, and
Immediately took Tie protftred arm Of
Smith. But I was true to my purpose;
showed no spleen I was resolved to
conciliale Araminta's mamma, and | fat
tered myself that already she was begin
ming to regard me as suitable son-in-
law.
Steadily pursuing the plan [ had form
ed in my mild, and Of which let my
charmer was cognizant, offered my arm
to Mrs. Johnson, and all the way from the
church to the dwelling Of my beloved We
spoke Of poetry and the arts. A very cleY-
er, appreoiative woman is Mrs. Johnson.
In stature there was scarcely an inch diG
ference 'twixt her and her daughter, and
when she spoke it seemed the very echo Of
Araminta's voice Therefore when ]
avoided looking into Mrs, Johnson's1 face,
and refrained from the mental calculation
of how far she had advanced on the wrong
side of4O, was able to fancy that had
Ararlinta by my side. This gave me po-
etc inspiration, and felt little of the EN-.
ba,,.ass So i..zasez.. u
Young mans conversation with his future
mother in-law.
"Oh, you must come in and take little
supper with u.s. said Mrs. J., when We
reached the gate; II want to Introduce you
to our friend Mr. Smith"
Throughout our walk Araminta and her
companion kept we'll ahead. They start
ed with d lead, and maintained it so vel
that they had entered the house ere We
we're in sight. I did not want to become
acquainted with Smith but did wish t.
bid Araminta goodnight, and toindlcate
By a stronger pressure of the hand thai
usual, that was making the way smooth
with her mamma.
Smith was, as | imagined, a shallow
{ Drained coxcomb. Twas Hyperion to
e satyr over again; I being Hyperion, :
course, and he the distorted monster
They said he was musician; well, ,if lou
growing among tie lower "F's'' in II
!, bass, in the attempt to drown eyerybod
else's voice, constitutes claim to be CO..
:, sidered musician, then Smith should {
II the very least have put "Mus. Doe at Il
| end Of his name.
It was welcome release when supp
= was announced. Then offering my al
! to Mrs. johnson, we left her offspring al
Smith to follow. Of course all this til
my heart was with Araminta, although
Z let no desires of my own interfere with !
- purpose of rescuing her from the thra
: dom of her mother Taking furtiYe glan(
at Araminta on the other side OF the tai
j / could not but compare her to Andron
! da. Yes, she was the beauteous creatr
] tied to the rock Of single blessedness !
u mother was the monster, ! was the galla
Perseus, resolved upon resculng my bel
J. ed, and Smith-well, he was an otflelc
= - on-looker, sort of theatrical super,
IT. thing more.
! l. "Ahr, exclaimed Mrs. ., during an
terval Of cold beef and salad, my Algy
i SO fond of music. Often and often has
,d called me to his side and insisted upon
LII Joining him in Meet me BY moonll
- alone Do yop know that song
ne Quick p
u i became all attention to the mention