The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1877-01-25
THEMOTHER'S STRATAGEM.

"Iow much trouble and anxiety a
Wayward and impulsive girl, Ignorant
of the ways of the world, yet too wise
in her own conceit to listen TO the ad-
vice Of those whom age and relation
ship entitie to give it, causes to the
hearts of those who unself5hly seek to
guard her welfare -
Such were the reflections OF Mrs.
Hampton, as she sat alone IN her quiet
room one evening after her young ana
pretty daughter had gone out with
party of acquaintances. THESE re-
1ections were caused by the marked
attentions which certain young man
was bestowing upon the lovely daugh-
ter for whom the mother felt so much
solicitude.
Harye Wade was handsome young
man of respectable parentage, but Mrs.
Hampton Is observing eye had detected
the fact that he possessed dlsagreeable
characteristics which would cause him
to be an unpleasant companion, and
prevent her daughter from enjoying
that greatest of all earthly blessings. a
happy and harmonious home if she
should become his wife. She did not
dare to let matters take them natural
course, because indications were IN
favor OF such a result, and she knew
also. that there was a strong flavor OF
peryersity in the girls nature that
needed only the spur Of opposition to
impel her to rash ana hasty step.
Mrs. Hampton was not the woman
TO stand idly by and see her daughter $
happiness wrecked upon the shoals OF
an unhappy marriage without making
an effort to prevent it, and so she eau
tiouslv laid her plans for future action.
"Virginia," she said on the follow
ing morning, "Mr. Wade has serious
intentions of becoming a member OF
our family, has he not =
.sYou are very quick to guess, re-
piled the girl lit was only last night
that he mentioned it..
"And from the favor with which
you seem TO regard him | do not sup
pose that he urged his suit in vain Z!
replied the mother.
mot in vain, by any means, re-
piled Virginia. Il am sure | can be
happy with no other. but didn't see
lit TO tell him SO last night.
ssAnd why not may | ask, IN
CURED Mrs. Hampton.
Il did not mean that lie should
think that was too easily won, said
the girl. land 50 delayed my answer.
THAT was sensible thought. re.
piled the mother Il wonder that 1t
occurred to you!"
II am not so thoughtless as | seem
three months hence viii be Tune
enough. but | know my heart al
ready"
81 should like to be better acquaint
ed with him." said Mrs. Hampton. 81
wish you would invite him to spend
his evenings here in the family fire.
quently. | do not want my son-ln-laH
10 seem like stranger.
ssYou seem to be more willing tx
part with me than | supposed yo,
would be. | expected TO hear a lee
ture about my youth and inexperience
ut least
"You will hear no such thing,
said Mrs. Hampton. "You are sew
enteen years old, and if you don't know
your own mind. you ought to.
Il am surprised that you offer M
objections. I would have followed
him across the Rocky Mountains
though" said Virginia. disappoint
edly.
You won't get the chance sal
Mrs. Hampton. decidedly. What OF
lection could possibly have TO hand
some young man like Harvey Wade :
Il don't know, am sure, but h
rather expected it"
He is very much mistaken. and
shall take all possible pains to convinc
him Of his error. Beside, you kno'
that this is an affair of your own;
he proves to be as disagreeable as
hedgehog, | shan't have to live wit
him. You have right to choose fo
Yourself, and il seems you hay
chosen. Ali that remains for me I
do is to make You both rs happy q
possible.
drs. Hampton not ouly extended
cordial invitation to Mr.. Wade to Wis
item frequently. but instructed vi
gnia's brothers to do the same, an
ere long he became almost A constar
visitor. Mrs. Hampton always spok
of him TO Virginia IS her intende
husband, and when an invitation frol
his sisters came for Virginia 70 spen