The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-10-01
LOUSIA'S STRATAGEM.

IL morning, have something to
say to you"
"Well, sir p'
"You are now nineteen, and IL is
quite time you were thinking of get
ting married"
care you tired of me, sir ?"
"No, but 1 don't want any old maids
in my family. That L am resolved
upon"
"But when James Houghton propos-
ed for my hand few weeks ago, you
refused your permission"
"Of course 1 did, / don't want
penniless young lawyer in my family"
have money"
"And that entities you to look for
rich husband"
" Poverty is James Houghton's only
fault"
"And it is fault enough. But no
more of him, have other views for
you"
May inquire what ?"
1 am about to tell you. John Fan
shaw, the son of an old friend of mine,
who has just completed the tour of
Europe, is about to visit us, with the
intention of offering you his hand. L
have already talked the matter over
with his father, and he consents. He
will give his son an estate adjourning
yours, and the two united will make an
excellent property"
"It seems then it is all settled" said
Louisa composedly.
"Of course you wont be foolish enough
to refuse him. He is handsome, well
educated and rich. What more could
you ask Y'
81 have already told you that love
James Houghten."
Fiddlesticks !"
But perhaps this young gentleman
may not fancy me. He may decline to
propose"
"There is little chance of it. You
are pretty, accomplished, lady-like, and
rich. What more could he desire ?"
" But if he should refuse to carry out
his engagement" persisted Lousia.
POUNDS, if he should, you might
marry whom you would"
"Even Mr.. Houghton ?"
Yes, even him. But don't exult
too soon. He hasn't refused you yet."
"When will he be here ?"
"Next week Thursday. And, by the
way, regret to say that shall not be
here to receive him. am obliged to go
to Washington, on business, to be gone
week; you must be as polite as possible
to him, and perhaps you will get ac-
quainted sooner if am away"
yes, sir, will endeavor to treat him
as politely as possible"
Already an idea had entered Lousa's
mind. She would give this Mr.. Fan
shaw false impression of herself. She
would assume the air and manners of a
complete rustic, destitute of all accom-
plishments, and the refinements of
cultivated lady. Thus she might dis
courage his suit, and lead him to with
draw voluntarily from the proposed en-
gagement.
The next Tuesday her uncle left for
Washington, and on Wednesday Lousia
made visit to the city, returning with
a red wig. She already had made up
secretly two dresses in dowdy style
which disfgured her to her satisfaction.
Next she took her maid into her conf
dence, having made up her mind to
play the role of rustic maiden.
On Thursday morning she put on one
of her new dresses, and her wig, and
could not help bursting into laugh at
the figure which met her eyes in the
mirror.
81 shouldn't know you, Miss,
declare" said her maid. 4" You look
horrid.'
Thank you, Abigail. That's just
the way want to look"
"I'd never suspect you was good
looking, Miss Lousia, or had decent
shape"
81 am glad to hear of it, 1 wonder
what Mr.. Fanshaw will think of me.'
g I don't believe he will fall in love
with YOU"
II hope not"
"Yes," L think shall do" said
Lousia. "Now must try to be as
rustic in my speech as possible, and be
ignorant of everything that young
ladies of my position may be expected
to know. have never practised much,
but guess can do it.