Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1879-06-12

Il
| Pretty, plump Mrs. Archibald Steel
wrote The following paragraph in one o
her letters TO her husband the other day
John must come down here at once
whether you can spare him or not. Ou
dear little Laura ls greatly taken with
tall, thin young man, with hooked nos,
and thin lips. called Stuyvesant. I'll
whispered about the hotel that he is
very good match. and has the veritabI,
blood Of the old Dutch governor in hi
veins. | must say that il has quee
way OF showing itself. for The young mas
is as pale as sPecter: and dressed il
that white duck, with his sunken eve.
snd bilious skin, is enough to frighter
one. have grown to hate him, while
Laura is growing 10 be quite the con.
trary, am afraid. All The evening he
leans up against the wall, never dancing
or opening bis mouth, save to give vent
to some hateful, sarcastic criticism upon
the scenes arOundhim. and yet dear little
Laura's eyes-as, indeed, all the other
pretty eyes about-are perpetually be-
seeching him for attention. In the day
time he is always with a long black
horse, that covers more ground with its
legs while il is going than any other ami
NAL ever saw. When Laura goes out
to drive behind it, and vanishes out oi
sight with the bony creature, 1 tremble
TO think how dreadful il would be if our
dearlittleg girl would ever be part and par
eel Of this wretched man and his beast.
So think John had setter come down at
once. ! quite long to see his handsome
face and hear his honest voice, and
'thinkit Is about time that John should
tell his little story TO Laura and have
things settled comfortably"
Mr.. Archibald Steele smiled when he
put the letter OF his wife in his waist
coat pocket, and, picking up the morn
ing paper, scanned through his god
trimmed spectacles the news Of the day.
Finding nothing therein TO refine the
exceedingly satisfactory condition of his
affairs, he put il down, smiling as only
prosperous, contented downtown
merchant can smile. He was one of
those happy exceptions to the ordinary
rule Of mortals, with whom everything
went well. His whole experience was
an exclamation point to that effect. II
he ventured little hazardously in trade,
fortune trimmed her sails to favor him.
Ifhe set his heart upon anything relat-
ing TO domestic felicity, all the elements
Of art and nature conspired to bring il
about. So when he stepped to the door
Of his Office and beckOned to q young
man with strip Of commercial paperin
his hand and pencil behind his ear.
with the general air Of briskness and
shrewdness about him that betokened q
successful downtown merchant embryo,
Mr.. Steele smiled the third time, with |
lhe air Of one that was moi at all afraid !
sf any bilious, blue-blooded obstacle |
hat might be thrown in the path Of a
domestic happiness which he firmly |
agreed had been arranged by the Onsni-
potent hand.
John" said Mr.. Steele, closing The
lccr Of his private Office, and looking
ipon the youngclerk benevolently. ave
rot an order from Mrs. Steele which !
wish you would attend to-"
Certainly, sir said John; "shall
% out and get the arilcles myselff
"Why, the fact is, john" said the
merchant. enjoying his joke more and
more, sits only one article--a rather
'ulky one. II was bargained fol long
ime ago. ] think you viii have to go
lown with It, John.n
s.Down to the seashore i'' sand John,
setiing q little hot and Clustered; s'is il :
'eFy valuable parcel. sir - i |
"Well. perhaps your natural modesty
nay depreciate lis worth. John. Mrs.
steele and I think good deal oft, and
Laura. TOO. | am sure does. The CON-
modify IS yourself. John. Mrs. Steele
rants you 20 30 down and take little
loliday there
When the name Of Laura was men
loned the young mans face grew more
Iustered and hot than before.
'You afe. very kind, sir he said.
nd Mrs. Steele is more like an angel
hsq woman" L
ssRaihef soIad and plump for that"
stespossd Mr.. Steele, but liking the
hrase nevertheless.
bot il is simple madness,' pursued
ohn, ssto dream of further happiness