Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1879-10-30
Misfrllaneons. q
Break it Gently to Maria"

Edward Ferguson was an impecuniOu-
but aspiring young man, who, by some in
visible means. managed TO keep up show
OF good appearances. He wore The most
spotiess OF linen, the most dazziiby of inl-
,ation diamond studs. the tighte.t OF boots,
aud the most perfectly aIlng gloves OF any
person boarding on Michigan avenue
His fair face had a peach-!Ike bloom. His
hair was dark aud glossy, aud many OF his
young lady acquaintanccs profess ed TO be
in love with him.
Among those who most admired him
was 4 young lady who belonged to the
upper crust" OF South Side society
whom. tor the purpose Of being imper-
sonal. We will call Maria Mumm. She had
a pair OF brilliant brown eyes, moderately
sized feet aud hands, and she was In the
habit Of wearing a small patch OF court
plaster upon her right cheek TO heishlen
The beauty OF her somewhat sallow COM
plexiou.
WOW between Edward and Maria there
existed mutual regard. They had taken
mauy delightful drives together, and had
pariaAcn cf an indefinite number OF dishes
pecanioas young y" mad d can al" aWsys MAKE Axe
more progress and exhibit far greater
display OF lIberality IN the summer time
when opera tickets and hack hire make
larger iuroads upon his asseis-a fact that
Edw ard evidently understood
AT length the relations existing between
Edward az Maria approached crisis.
lie proposed marriage. and his proposition
va, gladly accepted, and, trembling with
-iouud happiness and n heart ilutterng
with sensations OF unutterable joy, the
b.u-hiug Maria proposed that Edward
should Immediately Interview her papa"
A. she thought the consent Of the paternal
parent TO be indispensable.
Accordingly the "old gentleman" who
WAS = pTomlncn, State street merchant.
was invited into the parlor. while Maria
excused herself for a few moments to look
after the shutters OF her room. which She
had forgotten 10 close. Scarcely had she
passed from sight when Edward undertook
to Introduce the subject in which he firmly
believed his whole future happiness 10 be
concerned.
"Ah-a-Mr. Mumm." he said, with
much hesitation, when one becomes in
yolyed-a-that is-a-deeply attached
you know the-a-the "a
a favorable course of conduct yes
honesty and integrity are getting 10 be
rare virtues. Our public officials are al
most everywhere becoming corrupt, sir.
nutoriOusly corrupt. II is high time for
tax payers to take the bull by the horns.
II man is elected by the people 20 high
position OF trust and responsibility, and
abuses the responsibility that the public
reposed In him, he deserves to suffer, sir /;
| have no sympathy for him. His future
prospects do not concern the common
wealth; IL l. the presen. conduct that is
open 10 criticism, and, il upon iByestiga-
tion. he is shown 10 be detaulter. the best
thing for the people is 10 sue his bonds
men"
you do not understand me-" gasped
the young man, what l wished to say to
you was-a-tbat is, the object | had in
asking for this interview was about per-
sonal matter-a-that is, matter in which
l am deeply Interested"
"Oh, | see; YOU want a situation in my
store. Im sorry, sir, but We have no VA
cancies at present; in fact. we have got TO
reduce our present clerical force aud dis
charge some OF our Old hands. l adver-
Used for porter the other day. aud there
were actually two hundred and ihirty-tve
applicants ior the position: fine fellows.
too, some Of them were-even better aud
abler looking than yourself"
Edward felt as If he were choking.
NO. no. sir' he exclaimed with des-
perate energy. Il want To marry Maria,
and have desired this interview in order
TO ask your consent"
The merchant regarded the impecunous
young man with prolonged stare Of as
constituent.
Sir he said with emphasis, ''do you
know what you are asking for?''
II am asking for Maria. We love each
other. We are engaged-nothing can sep
arate US"
What is your business?"
Dry goods"
''Ha? yes. Your frm?'
I'm not in any firm at present"
Indeed; you seem TO have retired from
trade early in life. What is your annual
income?"
.I-a-that isl have no regular income
at present, but hope to have soon. On
account of hard times have lately been
out OF business-been waiting. you know,
for a-that is, something to turn up
"lou have been a clerk. yes, ha! see.
and expect something to turn up. What
annual salary do you hope to be able to
command?'
Probably five or six hundred a yearr'
Five or six hundred q year!' Are you
aware young man that it has actually cost
me two thousand, seven hundred and fifty-
three dollars and fOTly-seyen cents during
the past year to settle Maria's store bills
There we're bonnets. ribbons, velvets.
laces, dresses. cloaks, shswls. shoes. stock.
inys. and jewelry, to be paid for. There
are many articles of apparel that you are
supposed not to understand the exact use
Of sir, 10 be settled for. There were
dressmakers, seamstresse., laundresses
music teachers, painting teachers 10 be ted
aud paid for their services. There were
fancy-work artists and wax flower mate
rails. There were trips to Long Branch
Saratoga, Newport, and Mt Desert. There
were car tickets and mstinse tickets, that
were necessary to her peace OF mind. com.
| fort and happiness. Why, sir, your entire