Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-01-18

any gentleman in the village.
This explanation satisfied some young
women, but when the young men heard Of
it at least score of them resolved that
"Sweet Violet" should not long remain
able to disown all ties rendered than that
of mere acquaintanceship.
Among these were Rector Falls, DR..
Pestle and Squire Bloker; the latter was
not exactly young man, but he was
widower, owned considerable property and
no gray hairs, he naturally considered
himself quite young enough for the matri-
monial market. All three felt that they
had some advantage over the general
crowd by reason of their official positions,
for they could frame proper excuses for
calling on Miss Mathisen at almost any
hour of the day, and even at the school
house, where no one else dared go. Aga nst
one another, however, they were rather
evenly pitted, and outsiders hardly knew
which was the most fortunate-the rector.
who could talk with "Sweet Violet"
about church and Sunday school work, or
Pestle. of whom the young lady purchased
stationery, toilet articles and occasional
medicines, or the Squire, who kept the
best stocked general store in the village,
and consequently saw Miss Mathison fire.
quently in the way of business.
The young rector was the FIRST to try
conclusions with fate. He made special
call for the purpose and talked of the
church having been likened to bride, be-
cause bride was the most desirable and
lovely creature On earth. Miss Mathisen
listened demurely and sweetly; she agreed
with him entirely, but she dashed his
hopes to fragments by going into ecstacies
over the theory that the church should be
the only bride of the clergy. for did it not
demand ard deserve their every thought.
AS she said afterwards to the young lady
who had found her a boarding place. cler-
gyman with only thousand dollars year
should not think of any bride who could
not be like the church, self-supporting.
Then came DR.. Pestle, and whenever he
came he brought pockets full of bonbons
as hints Of the sweetness of his regard. But
somehow Miss Mathisen had managed to
learn great deal at Cornalbn in very
short time, and among the bits of informa-
ton digested was that the town was so
healthy that DR.. Pestle had been unable,
by ten years of close attention to business,
to pay off a $4,000 mortgage on his
shop.
The Squire was slow, but terribly in
earnest. He felt that in appearance be
did not compare favorably with his two
official rivals, to say nothing of those who
participated in the general demonstration.
He also felt, whenever he regarded himself
In the mirror, that his broad shoulders.
bluff face and stubby hair were not what
should appear beside the dainty combina-
ton of grace, taste. sweetness and delicacy
that Miss Mathisen always seemed to be.
But the Squire was a man of resources;
if he could not hope to capture "Sweet
Violet" by storm he ght gain her by reg
ular approach. He would adopt at first
fatherly manner; he would warn the girl
or woman-against excitable young men
who were likely to make love and marri-
age proposals on no sounder basis than
their feelings. If, in this way, he could
gain her confidence he might become more
successful at later period.
So he made special call for the pur-
pose. selecting a moonlight evening, be-
cause he knew that on such evenings Miss
Mathisen received her visitors on the
piazza. He was fortunate enough to
find the young lady alone; SO, being man
of business, he proceeded promptly to de-
velop his plan, Miss Mathisen listened
attentively; she was very grateful, she
was sure; she had never realized that IN a
town containing SO many pretty women
quiet little creature like herself was like
ly to attract any special attention, and
she still hoped Mr. Bloker might find him
self mistaken. But as for his kind,
Jhoughtfulness-oh, there could be no
mistake about that; it was such comfort
in giddy world. to meet some one who
cared sincerely enough for friendless
woman to warn her against the blunders
by which she might suffer. 1t seemed to
her, she said, as if she had new courage to
live, now that some one had shown him
self SO friendly. She was more grateful
than she could say; would Mr.. Bloker try
to understand her if she merely took his
hand and said, ~ thank you ?"
Certainly-certainly. !" replied the
Squire with manly tenderness; but some
how when he felt a warm hand in bis he
extended his disengaged arm, drew close
to him the trim little figure and said a
good deal that led to a marriage within
q fortnight.
A happier couple never was known in
Cornalbln until one day commercial
traveller, Of whom the Squire frequently
made purchases, entered the store as Mrs.
Bloker passed out; he looked at her so
strangely that the Squire proudly asked
do you know that lady?"
"No" said the man; but I've known
two of her husbands -
The Squire turned white aud trembling
as he asked
"Where are they?''
"Divorced-they don't suit her, was
the answer; 81 III tell you all about them"
mo, you WON'T" Kissed the squire;