American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1878-04-06
WHICH PROPOSED?

DR.. Gibson, having made friendly
visit to Mrs. Kellicott, walked down to
the garden gate with her daughter Mat
ty. Matty was 20 years old, and the
Doctor was 80. Her eyes were brown,
and his were gray. She chad on a
pink calico dress and white muslin
apron; and he wore professional black.
The gentleman admired the lady's flow
ers very much, especially the roses, one
of which, by the way, she had tucked
under her chin. She inquired, with con-
siderable show of interest, about the
Ruggles children, who had the measels.
He told her, gravely, all about Tommy
and Ben, Alice and Kit, and when he
had finished, a silence fell upon them.
Matty was leaning on the gate, look
ing down the village street. She thought
how singular it was for Mr.. Scott to
paint his veranda pea-green, with Law
ender borders, and was about to say so
to DIR. Gibson, when he stopped her.
He said the very last thing she would
have expected to hear. He said, ''Mat-
ty, l love you, and want you to marry
me,''
Her very look would have told him,
without a single spoken word, how
thoroughly unlocked for such propos-
al had been. She had never, in all the
years she had known DIR. Gibson,
thought for a moment of the possibility
of his loving her. She was very sorry,
she told him, but she didn't love him
one bit, at least in that way. But tears
came to her relief, as she saw the quiet
face grow a trifle overcast.
g hardly believed you did care fol
me-" he went on, after pause. +" But
hoped you might learn to do it,
" But-but," said Matty, with embar.
rassmen:. ell thought every one
knew 1 was engaged to my Cousin
| Tom.''
Your Cousin Toni" echoed the
| Doctor.
1t was impossible to mistake the ex
preston which passed over his features
1t was not merely personal regret at thu
fact she announced, but an impartia
disapproval of the match. He made NJ
comment, however, but directly said
Matty, l shall never get over this
mean that shall always love you; ant
if you ever need friend or protector
or-or any one, you'll come to me
won't you?"
She promised, and held her hand t,
him. He shook it warmly, said "Bles
you," and left her hurriedly.
Matty, still leaning on the little wood
en- gate, watched the retiring figure on
of sight. She was very quiet all day
and in the evening propounded this alb
surd question: &c Tom, what would yol
do if 1 should jilt you?''
Tom stroked his downy upper lip, an,
looked pensive.
Couldn't say" he replied, afte
some moments of reflection. "Yo
might try it, and see.''
Perhaps / WILL" she responded
more seriously than the occasion seem
ed to warrant. Tom stared hard at hei
bnt Immediately forgot the incident.
Nearly year passed. One day, MIR
kellicott's servant rushed into DIR. Gill
sons house, and breathlessly announce
to that gentleman that " Mr.. Tom woul
be dead as door-nail long afore he &c
there, if he didn't run" For two sec
onds, thinking of Tom as his rival i
Matty's affections, the Doctor had half
mind to consign him to the tender mel
cies of good, stupid, old DIR. Wells; bu
his better nature prevailed, and he star
cd for Mrs. Kellicott's at the very heel
of the excited servant-girl. When h
arrived, he found Tom in a high state {
delirium. He pronounced it q sever
case of typhoid fever, and privatel
added doubt whether he would reco,
ei. He sent to his own house for som