Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-06-01
MoLIIE's MATCHMAKING.

M0LLIES MATOH-MAK1NG.
A dainty parlor with numerous easy
chairs--a glowing fire in the nickel
trimmed heater--a pretty little woman
listening for the footsteps OF the lord and
master. This charming picture OF domes-
tic bliss John Ackerman fully appreciat-
ed as he stepped into the room few
{ minutes later.
!, "Well, Mollie, what's the news?"
"Oh, nothing, only supper has been
waiting half an hour. Come, let us
hurry and eat; want to talkwith YOU"
II thought there was something on
your mind; didn't know but was go
ing to get lecture for being late"
"You deserve one, for this is the last
evening shall spend with you for two
whole weeks; shows how highly you ap-
preciate your wife's society"
Mrs. John Ackerman tried to frown,
but failed completely.
In another half hour they were back
in the CHEEKY parlor, and Molie be-
gam,
II think Tom is splendid fellow, and
bucEC WClO AOfCl bWOplObhOto A4Oh y esAANO
than you and he"
; "Thank you, my dear; Ihonor your
judgment"
'iAnd, John, have the most brilliant
plan concerning him!'
"Do tellr' John said, with a move
ment toward his coat pocket, where the
evening paper lay in uncut solitude.
Mollie observed the motion, and
promptly informed him that he should
not read word until she was through
talking.
II am going away tomorrow, and
then you may read the paper from the
time you enter the house until midnight,
with no one to bother you,n she said,
as John showed signs Of insubordina-
ton. t
Somehow. the vision of the little par
lor without Mollie's lively chatter did not
seem to strike him very favorably; per-
haps this was why he tossed the paper
to the other side Of the room and obedi-
emily promised to listen. Mollie perched
herself on one arm of his chair and COM
menced.
"You know my sister Amy is coming
home with me for long visit, and don't
you think it would be splendid ifshe and
Tom would fall in love with each otherP
They could get married and set up house,
keepingin the cottage like this one across
the street and-oh, John, it would make
me perfectly happyr'
John Ackerman laughed long and
heartily.
..Match-making, by Jove!' he said
at last. miserable yourself, and want
everybody else to be; is that it, Mol
lie pf
..Don't laugh, John. for I'm in earn
est. / know they will like each other,
and have set my heart on the match;
Just think how nice it would be to have
Amy here always; and Tom is such a
darling! Amy should furnish her parlor
just like ours, only where there is blue
hers should be cardinal, for she is dark,
you know"
John was laughing again by this time,
and it took considerable management to
reduce him to order. This once accom-
plished, he fell in with the plan readily
enough. m N M
Il tell you what tits, Mollie; you don't
want to saya word of this to Tom or
Amy, or they will take dislike to each
other immediately
II know it." wisely rejoined Mollie.
"When told Tom / was going to visit
Aunt Hetty | did not mention Amy's
name, have been with her so little
since was married that ! am sure I
never spoke to her of Tom.n
"Well, see that you don't do so now;
you couldn't mention his name without
praising him to the skies, and she would
see through your plans at once"
Mollie departed the next morning,
leaving directions enough to distract a
man If he tried to remember half Of
them. John did not try; he only had .
confused recollection Of something to be
done with plants, silver spoons, canary
birds, etc. Jenny, the servant, would
know oil about it, he reflected.
ssDon't have Tom at the house when
we return was Mollie's lastiniunction.
sAmy will be tired with the Journey,
and want her TO have chance to
beantify q little before she meets him."
When they reached the depot Mollie's 8
courage began to fail. s,,4 ,sesd4
ssI'm almost sorry to 60, John, M she
said. Suppose something should hap
pen to you while l am awaYp" alj saS +
l8 Nonsense, darling! Go and have a
kood time; and be sure and come hack
= In two weeks and bring Amyiwith you.''
Mollie's heart was SO thoroughly in
her pet plan that she found 1t very hard
70 refrain from all mention Of her ador-
able brother-in-law during the two
weeks that followed; once she did refer
to'the cozy party Of four which they
would make, and then was obliged 70
turn 1t off on Jenny, the littlee maid-of-
all-work. rs making the fourth,
The dav hasere Mollie was to return