The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1879-06-03
"BREAK 1T GENTLY TO MARIA"
BY EUGENE }. HALL.

"BREAK 1T GENTLY TO MARIA.o
BY EUGENE ,. HALL.
Edward Ferguson was an impecuni-
ous but aspiring young man, who, by
some invisible means, managed 10 keep
up a show of good appearances. He
wore the most spotless OF linen, the
most dazzling imitation OF diamond
studs, the tightest OF boots, and the
most perfect fitting gloves OF any per-
son boarding on Michigan avenue. -
His fair face had peach-like blossom.
His hair was dark and glossy, and
many Of his young lady acquaintance
professed 10 be in love with him.
Among those who most admired him
was young lady who belonged TO the
upper crust" OF South Side society,
whom, for 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 highten the beauty OF her
somewhat sallow complexion.
Now between Edward and Maria
there existed a mutual regard. They
had taken many delightful drives to-
gether, and had partaken OF An indeh-
mite number of dishes OF ice cream,
and by-the-way, an impecunious young
man can make more progress and ex-
hibit far greater display OF liberality
in the summer time than he can during
the amusement season, when opera
tickets and hack-hire make larger in
roads upon his assets-a fact that Ed
ward evidently understood.
At length the relations existing be-
tween Edward and Maria approached a
crisis. He proposed marriage, and his
proposition was gladly accepted, and,
trembling with new-found happiness
and heart fiuttering with sensations
Of unutterable Joy, the blushing Maria
proposed that Edward should immedi-
ately interview her papa" as she
thought the consent of the paternal
parent TO be indispensable.
Az cordingly the "old gentleman,
who was prominent State street mer-
chant was invited into the parlor, while
Maria excused herself for a few mo-
ments to look after the shutters of ber
Scarcely had she passed from sight
when Edward undertook to introduce
the subject in which he firmly believed
his whole future happiness to be- con-
cerned.
"Ah-a-Mr. Mumm," he said, with
some hesitation, "when one becomes
nvolved-a-that is-a-deeply at
tached-you know the-a-the a"
"A favorable course Of conduct-yes
honesty and integrity are getting to
be rare virtues. Our public officials
are almost everywhere becoming cor
rupt, sir, notoriously corrupt. Ii is
high time for taxpayers TO take the
bull by the horns. II a man is elected
by the people TO a high position OF
trust and responsibility, and abuses
the responsibility that the public has
reposed in him, he deserves to suffer,
sir; have no sympathy for him. His
future prospect do not concern the
commonwealth; il is the present con-
duct that is open to criticism, and, IL
upon investigation, he is shown to be
a defaulter, the best thing for the peo-
pie is TO sue his bondsmen.
"You do not understand me-" gasp
ell the young man, what ] wished TO
say TO you was-a-that is, the object
had in asking for this interview was
about personal matter-a-that is,
matter in which / am deeply interest
ed"
"Oh, i see; you want a situation in
my store. I'm sorry, sir, but We have
no vacancies at present; in fact, We
have got to reduce our present clerical
force and discharge some OF our old
hands. | advertised for porter the
other day, and there were actually two
hundred aud twenty-five applicants for
the position, fine fellows, too. some Of
them were-even better and abler look
ing than yourself"
Edward felt as il he we're choking.
"Nol no, sir" he exclaimed with des-
perate energy, 81 want 10 marry Maria,
and have desired this invervlew IN or
der TO ask your consent.
The merchant regarded the impecu-
nious young man with prolonged
stare OF astonishment.
"Sir," he said with emphasis, "do
You know what you are asking forf'
81 am asking for Maria We love
each other. We are engaged-nothing
can separate us.
"What is your businessy
"Dry good.
"Hai yes. Your irm?'
"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 in.
come at present, but ! hope 10 have
soon. On account OF the hard times
have lately been out OF business-been
waiting you know, for a-that is some
thing to turn up"
"You have been n clerk, yes, ahi
see, and expect something to turn up.
What annual salary do you hope to be
able TO commando"
Probably five or sir hundred {
year"
Five or six hundred a yearl" AT.
you aware, young man. that il has ac
tually cost me two thousand, sever
hundred aud fifty-three dollars ant
iorty-seyen cents during the past year Il
settle Maria's store billsl" There wer,
bonnets, ribbons, velvets, laces, dress
es, cloaks, shawly, shoes, stockings
and iewelry 10 be paid for. There arr
many articles of apparel that you ar
supposed not 10 understand the exac
use Of, sir, TO be settled for. There ar
dressmakers, seamstresses, laundresss
es, music teachers, French teachers
painting teachers TO be fed and pai'
for their services. There were fancy
work, artists materials aud wax flow
ers. There were trips 10 Long Branch
Saratoga, Newport aad the Centennial
There were car tickets that we're neces
sary TO her peace OF mind, comfort an
happiness. Why sir, your entire an
nuai income would barely be sufiicien
, TO pay her yearly subscription 10 Ola
foreign mission fund.
The cold sweat stood upon Edward
brow like drops OF dew upon a oabbsg
leaf in the morning.
Besides" continued the merchant
lowering his voice o. a hoarse whisper
and without appearing 10 notice tn
agitation OF his auditos, ''let me tel
/ you in solemn confidence that my bus
mess affairs are in n very complicate
condition. have the reputation of bs
ing a rich man, but my creditors ar
pressing me, and real estate is depreci
atine. I could not settle dollar upo
you, slr, not a solitary dollar, but
Won want Mai II"
"Nol MOI / understand" interrupte
Edward with a husky voice AZ he picl