The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1884-10-08
MRS. RAVENS VICTORY.
BY AMY RANDOLPH.


engagement to Ralph Raven was
first 5raited abroad.
at amt So" said Mrs. Polwhe2l,
Mve knowed Sophy Manners ever
since she was a gal, and she aint one
to give up her independence to any
domineer1ng, Grabbed old widower
alive" .' s-i
"And he has four children, too,"
said Miss Louisa Arnold, who was
suspected of having been net alto
gether unwilling herself to console
the widowsr in his Affections.
And Ssphy is so Independent,
too," said Mrs. Judge Jessup, who
was inclined toward women's rights.
"Shs needn't be keholden to anybo-
dy. With that fine farm and ton
thousand dsllars in the bank, and
nobody knows how much railroad
stock and government bonds, Think
that she is making o great mistake.
That's what told her. Says / so
ply, you don't know what it is to
give up your own way"
''But I don't mean to give up my
own way, Mrs. Jessup, says she, as
bright and saucy as you please.
".Look in the Prayer Book, So
ply, says l, 'and you'll find it as
plain as pike -staff-'sLovs, honor
and obey"
"'O but ifyou do love and homer
a man, Mrs. Jessup,' says she, it
must be one Of the easiest things in
the world to obey him. :"
Its one thing to talk sail Mrs
Polwheal, with a deep sigh, "and
another thing to do. It's q great
joke to act married, but it's no joke
to get unmarried again"
"He's got a dreadful temper"
said Miss Louisa. ~
"The children are all afraid sf
him" SAID Mrs. Jessup.
"The Ravens always were a race
of despots, said Mrs. Polw heal. "I
have heard my grandmother tell
how old Duncan Raven turned his
wife out O doors on 3 snowy night,
and how she'd friz to death if the
noighbcrs hadn took her in. And
there was Will Raven, this mans
uncle-why his wife couldn't live
with him. She had to 60 home to
her fathers house
Thus croaked the village cronies
on the subject of Miss Manners en-
gagement to Mr.. Raven. Nor were
her nearest friends less disturbed.
"Sophy," said Mrs. Captain Les
lie, bright little brunette, who sang
contralto in the choir, painted in oil
colOrs, and modelled in clay, "why
are you going to marry that man?"
"Why did you marry Capt. Les
lie?" ross-questioned the bride elect,
with roguish sparkle in her hazel
eyes.
Because / lSVed him."
"And SO do l love Ralph Raven"
"But, my dear, he is such ty-
rant" ~ ur
"He won't tyrannize over me-"
said Sophy.
"Hs has such a family |" reasoned
Mrs, Leslie.
"Only four" said Miss Manners.
"And l dote on children"
land they tell me be has q dread
tul temper"
$50 have |" laughed Sophy; "but
he isn't going to abandon me On ac-
count of that" SO
els he coming here to live |" said
Mrs. Leslie, glaneing around the
pretty sitting room, where birds and
flowers and Sophy,s work were scat
tered around in picturesque confu-
sion '1a -.s.t.s4 -s..
"Oh, yes said Sophy. ''The old
Raven house isn't nearly a. pleas
ant. u4 .aaisHas .df alf
So they were married and Ralph
Raven brought his four children to
their new home.
"Isn't it lovely here p said Lucy,
the eldest, tall, pale girl Of four
teen, who looked like q lily that has
grown in the shade. a|
"And don't you love our new
mamma ?" cried Fanny, the second,
with childish eethusiasm.
ashes a regular brick r. said lit
tie Johnny. "And Dora says that
step -motbers are always cross; but I
know she amt She says we may
have a base ball ground anywhere
we please, and play room in the
she'd" eia falE ~
"And am to keep guinea-pigs in
the barn, and have the white little
pony for my own," joyfnlly cried
Willie. u0IasI .ezs l4tl Il
"And papa hasn't been nearly so
cross since we came to Mannersley,
said Lucy. HAnd wo are to have oil
the story bookswe want to read | @,
Fanny, aren't yo1 glad we've got .
step>uqtbera' M
Ast the haRaymaaH bad stapsss