The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-07-29
Grandmamma Gordep.

/ was brought up most unwisely-in other
words, with expeetatiOns-and consequent
ly was good for nothing else but to keep
on expecting. I spent many years as a
walking gentleman of society in London,
and many more in wandering. to and fro
upon the continent; but at length, when
actually within hail of forty, found my
self once more with my legs under the
mahogany of the Atheneum, and with
nothing to pay for the good things above
it but what came out of the pockets, of
tough and somewhat peremptory old
man.
He had never before, insisted upon my
marrying; but the reason was that he had
remained in constant expectation of the
occurrence taking place through my own
connivance. Indeed, it had been his busi-
ness for many years to interpose gently
between me and the catastrophe, suggest
ing now that did not know, enough of
the lady, and again that knew too much,
and so forth.
The fact is, I had never been without
expectations of taking wife, always vol
unfairly abandoned, till my first crop of
gray hairs appeared. After that the diff
Guilty was on the side of the lady, and was
at length so disgusted with the unreason-
ableness of sex that / determined to live
and die bachelor. JUS. at this timeI re-
ceiyed from my uncle letter, which was
short and to the purpose.
"DEAR NEPHEw:-I am glad to hear of
what you call vacancy i'll your heart, as
you will titus have no difficulty in fulfilling
my wishes and obeying my solemn injunc-
tions. You have promised several times
to marry, and you must now do SO. have
never interfered with your choice, and you
are never to interfere with mine. The
widow and heiress of my old comrade
Gorden is in the market. Our estates run
into each other in such a way that you
might comprise them both in the same
ring fence. She is healthy woman and
not too young; and the arrangement is
that you are to be married at the end
of her year of mourning, if she can fancy
you. Yours afectionately,
"JoHN MURcH1soN.
If she could fancy me! The widow of
old Gorden, and healthy woman indeed
What horrible description! I thought
nv uncle must have intended to try the
extent of my loyalty; and do not know
now that ever had fit of more bitter
reflection than while conjuring up the idea
conveyed; for owing, suppose to the idle
life had led, had not yet got rid of the
ideas of romance which were 80 unfit for
mature years like mine. 1t was one thing
to indulge my despair in old bachelorhood'
and quite another to carry disappointment
into the domestic circle of an old woman.
I confess I did hope that Mrs. Gorden
owed her healthy condition to at least
some lingering remains Of youth, but
second letter from my uncle, in reply tc
nv remonstrances, dissipated at once my
fond illusion by informing me that the
widows family could afford no possible
objection, her only daughter being wei
married
There was no help for it. 1t was neces
sary to turn my meditations from the lad.
to the estate, and, if l thought of the RIM
at all, to fancy it within ring fence. Bn
the affair could not be slept over an.
longer, and I set out for my uncle's seat
having previously signifed to him my full
J acouiesoence in his plans. In due time
arrived at the little town Of Sethan, dis
tant only few miles from my destina
ton. .. .. 80,
II was here heard-and with cruel sud
denness-of circumstance connected wit
/ nv intended which made me at first dt
termine to rush back to London and,
necessary, take a street-sweeping authol
ship, or any other desperate resourc
rather than marry that Mrs. Gorden.
, was passing half-open door in the hote
r when heard female voice addressing
child in the terms of wise endearment col
secrated to the rising generation.
5 SIT shall 60" said the voice, land SO
shall, to its own gran-granny-g -grannyn
!. to its own, own-own grannyma, that
s shall-won't TITO its own Grannyn
, Gorden."
The next minute, In reply to my hurri
questions, my fears were confirmed by Il
= !, landlord-my intended old and healtl
b bride was an absoluts grandmcther-Gran
5 mother Gorden.
It / had lAtenued to so on at once to 4
i uncle's, but that was now impoBsib
!: My agitated mind needed repose.
nights reflection war necessary to arm 1
II with sufficient philosophy to meet the
d stroyer of my peace, and, engaging q b
q =, at the inn, went out to walk in t
neighboripg wood. The locality va =