The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-08-13
A RICH HUSBAND.

"Wonders will never cease" said
Mrs. Robe, as she opened letter she
found beside her plate at breakfast.
"H ere is Cousin Corner coming home
after all these years, and such letter,
just listen, my dear:
Dear Cousin: suppose that you
have made up your minds that am
dead but Pm alive as you see, and
coming home. Pm tired of mere
money grubbing, and those who have
made fortunes know that they need
something else in this world. | mean
to end my days among my relatives,
and between you and me, shall put
them to the test. | want to find out
who are my friends, and who court
me for other reasons; and what l
want to do is to make them think me
Il very poor man. quite out of pocket,
Bless me, HtulaughiIigu out lUatl,Ass Z
write. Y1u should hear me. To
make them think that Pm poor, and
that it would be charity TO ask meto
pay them visits. In this way l can
discover my friends. shall come to
your house first, dressed in character.
know it is an cid joke, quite a thing
of the novels but trust it will sue
ceed.
Yours very affectionately,
OBADIAH CORNER.
p. S.-Expect me on Thursday.
O. c."
"If that isn't the most amusing
thing" said Mrs. "coming
home so rich and is suspicious of his
relatives, and of being courted for his
money. And bachelor too! Dear.
deor! Poor Obadiah Corner, who
used to be the black sheep of the fam
lily, and who we never believed would
come to any good. How everything
changes about in this world. Life is
a checker-board to be sure! William
what a splendid thing it would be for
Arabella Muffit."
"What would he splendid thing
for Arabella; checker-board ?"
asked Mr.. Robe.
"Oh. Mr.. Robe, don't pretend to be
stupid, because you are not, my dear,
and you wouldn't do oulself justice.
l mean Obadiah"
"Obadiah would be good thing
for Arabella. Oh-yes-yes !" said
Mr.. Robe. "You mean good match
! for her. But Arabella is no longer
young, and she never was handsome,
my dear"
That's so ridiculous I" said Mrs.
Robe.
"Arahella is much younger than
Obadiah, and ty no means as plain
as he is. But that is the way with
you men. The older and ugler you
get the younger and prettier you
think your wives should be. Boys
Of twenty fall in love with women
of thirty, but men of sixty never
think OF amy age beyond sixteen
when they choose wives"
VERY true" said Mr.. Robe.
And very ridiculous" said Mrs.
Robe. Anyway have an affection
| for Arabeila, and l mean to further
her interests if l can. | shall give
her Il hint of the real state of the case,
but not another soul is to know a
word beyond what Obadiah has told
me 10 tell them"
"Weli, women must be match
makers | suppose" said Mr.. Robe,
as i,e finished his last cup of coffee
and glanced at the clock "but don't
cal, ull,e too much on success, nv
| dear"
Then he took his hat and coat and
departed for the regions known as
town, and shortly after Mrs. Robe,
having arrayed herself for the prom
enade, went out also, her purpose
being confidential talk with Ara.
bella.
Arabella Muffit was a very small,
black.eyed lady of forty-five, who
lived in tiny house principally furn.
ished with specimens of all the fancy
work that had been fashionable for
the last twenty five years. She had
no near relatives, and could remem-
Der none but her grandfather, who
left her the small property on which
she lived, but she had connections
who took tea with her occasionally,
and with whom she dined at times :
for the rest, church going. needle
work and books occupied her time.
She opened the door for Mrs. Robe
herself, and having kissed her on
both cheeks. escorted her to the room
above. where she was busy with a
chair coyer.
Now we can have nice chat, and
you'll stay to luncheon, won't YOU.
Martha ?"
Martha promised to stay, and
having taking off her things. and
dropped into a chair, she produced
Obadiah's letter.
There read that, ArabeIIa,n she