Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1879-06-11
A LIFE,S ROMANCE.

the same day, in the same church,
married Augusta Lawton and her
dearest friend, Anathusia Meakim,
a contract was made between the
two couples--a contract entirely
independent Of that which in the
eye of the law they had made when
each answered 81 WILL" in reply to
the somewhat inquisitive question
put by the clergyman in regard to
their future intentions as to sup
porting, loving, and honoring each
other. 1t was thus: They had
bound themselves that if one fami-
ly had a son and the other a daugh-
ter, when they had arrived at the
proper age, they should become
man and wife.
So much by way of prologue
Now for our story.
Flipper and Clemmens had died
full of years and govt, and rheu-
matism, and left each large for
tune to his wife. They had each
left, as well, a child-Flipper a
daughter named Kitty, Clemmens
a son named Richard, otherwise
Dick. The old men had forgotten,
long before their deaths, all about
their agreement on their wedding
day, but not so with the mothers.
"Mother," said Dick, at the
breakfast table, "there is no use in
urging that girl Kitty's suit, for l
will never marry her."
"How do you know, my son3-
q You have not seen her for twelve
years, and you might be delighted
with her." returned Mrs. Clemmens,
coaxingly.
81 know I shouldn't" Dick said.
"She was a red-headed abomination
when she was child, and I'm GER
tain she's the same now"
"Oh, Richard"
"Even if she was as handsome as
Hebe l wouldn't marry her. I'd
feel Disguised the moment | met
her, and so would she, if she had
any sense"
"Well, it seems to me, Dick, that
you might at least wait until you
do see each other before you make
up your mind. This is too bad"
whined Mrs. Clemmens, wiping her
eyes with napkin-"just when |
thought l had such good news for
you"
"What's the news!'
ashes coming here"
"Who, Kitty Flipper"
ayes. / received letter this
morning from her mother, saying
Kitty would start in a day or two"
"Ob, my" groaned Dick. "You
must stop her. he said seriously.
"If she comes, | go. know what
she'll be-a little, stuck-up mink,
full of French airs she acquired by
studying abroad for twelve years.
shan't see her; that's settled.
Write to Mrs. Flipper (mellifluous
appellation,) and say we are going
on a visit, and we don't know when
we will return or, better, go to
town, see Mrs. F., explain openly
that / will never marry a Frenchi-
fed wax doll, but that / want
wife that knows how to keep
house in order; can cook, preserve,
sweep, bake, darn, sew, mend, dust,
and, as the advertisements say,
make herself generally useful"
An idea seemed to strike Mrs.
Clemmens, and she answered gaily,
"Well, Dick, everything is for the
best. If you won't marry her, you
won't; so I'll do as you say"
After breakfast she made a hur-
ried toilet, and took the first train
for the city. Toward evening she
returned with as pretty a little
piece of femininity as Dick had
ever seen withal. The dainty, cur
ly-haired little woman straightway
went to the kitchen, and then Mrs.
Clemmens informed her son that
she had made matters all right with
Mrs. Flipper, and that the pretty
conglomeration of muslin, curls,
pink and white was a new cook
she had engaged.
With the advent of the new cook
came luxuries such as had never
been seen on the Clemmens' table
before. The cuisine las Dicks
Kitty Flipper might say was per-
feet. Richards stockings were
,oondod en- neatly that an old mir