The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1882-10-07
DRIVEN TO IT.

"What is tbat?' exclaimed my Aunt
Janet, with start, as she sat in close
proximity to the manipulating fire that
lent a cheerful light to the snug little
drawing room ut Ivy Cottage
Cats, aunt" I replied promptly.
"Nonsense" responded my aunt, sharp
ly; ''cats are the lightest footed animals
in creation"
beetles are lighter" suggested.
My aunt looked at me with an express
sion of mingled pity and indignation.
You must be light-headed, she said,
facetiously, though without relaxing her
sternness of countenance. Then, after a
moments pause, she added: Draw down
the blinds and close the shutters. No
one can tell who may be prowling about
the premises on these winter evenings"
rose, pulled down the blinds and
closed the shutters, agrsenbly to my
aunt's wish.
The noise she Lad heard, and which
had momentarily startled her, did not,
was perfectly aware, arise from what
had suggested as being probable, or, what
| had confidently asserted was the cause.
felt conscious it was George Tempt,
| laundering over the new trellis-work ly.
| iag on the lawn.
George I, mple and were engaged.
don't suppose any two youug lovers were
evar ionder of each other than he and l.
Tie course of true love, they say, uevel
did run smooth, and truly we had gooC
reason to believe in this well-worn pro
verb.
When first George avowed his affection
f'r me, he speedily followed up his offel
by asking my aunt to accede to and &C
knowledge our engagement.
He met with the grossest ingratitud
at her hands. She turned upon linn lik
a tigress, and actually forbid him tn
house.
Prior to this George and his mothe
frequently visited at Ivy Cottage. Mrs
Temple, the widow of gentleman farm
er, who died n year or more before m,
aunt aud came to reside in the neigh
borhood, was in every sense lady. He
husband had been gentleman, although
he was far from wealthy, and iarm5d il
a small way only. After his death Georg
managed the farm for his mother.
From the fl st had always noticed m
aunt treated Mrs. Temple with n shad
of patronage IN her manner. Whe
George spoke to her concerning me SD
at once evinced her unutterable. or
should say nit, rahle concelt in the avoW
al OF her superiority.
or course this broke up the friendl
connection that had existed between IL
two households.
But it was not conceit slone, if at all
that promPted my aunt to fight Rgains
our union.
Young Gerald Pumpkins, of Bumpkin
Hall, was the real cause of it. Had
not been for that wealthy and promisin
young individual, my aunt would veri
ly believe, have gladly seen me ''setile
down" and married and done for" a
George Templs so devotedly desired.
But young Gerald pumpkins, of Bump
kins Hall, had thought fit and proper I
TALL head over ears in love with me; ha
asked my aunt's permission to win N
hand aud heart, before he had consulte
my feelings on the subj-ct, aud had re
egived her full and hearty consent
Hpd G-rala Bumpkins been a poo
man, or even c. mparatively sprakin
poor, like ny hmve-hearltd George, sh
sur ly would hav. l.ugbed linn TO sour
when he yeutured to appeal to her Con
cerning me-
Having drawn the blinds aud close
the shutters, / reseated my,elf, but uo
with the intention Of retaining my sea
for amy lergh h of time, Iu,ant to leay
the room as soon ~ my aunt had t,lke
herself ont OF rem mbrauce of the nois
which bad startled her. | feared sh
might possibly sm~ll nat if l took m
departure too speedily after tLat Occur
renoe.