The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1885-12-03
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA, DECEMBER1, 1885,

kind upon the time and attention of any
gentleman in the Villages
This explanation satis6ed some young
women, but when the young men heard
of it, at least a score Of them resolved
that Violet" should not long remain
able to disown all ties tenlerer than that
of mere acquaintanceship.
Among these was Rector Falls, DR..
Pestle and Squire Bloker; the latter was
not exactly a young man, but as he was
widower, owned considerable property
and no gray hairs, he naturally considered
himself young enough for the matrimon-
ial market. All three fell that they had
some advantage over the general crowd
by reason of their officixi position, for
they could frame properexcuses for call
ing on Miss Mathisen az almost any hour
Of the day, and even at the school house,
where no one else dared ito go. Against
one another, however, they were rather
evenly pitted, and outsiders hardly knew
which was the most fortunate-the rec
tor could talk with "ySwn,t Violet about
church and Sunday school olswsrk, or Pes
tie, 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 Mathisen 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,
because bride was the most desirable
and lovely creature on earth. Miss Math-
lsen listened demurely and sweetly !;
she had 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 and deserve
their every thought. And she said after
wards to the young lady who had found
her boz riding place, clergyman with
only thousand dollars year should not
think of any bride who could not be like
the church, selt-supporting.
Then came Dr. Pestle, and whenever
he came he brought pockets full Of bon
bons as hints Of the sweetness Of regard.
But somehow Miss Mathisen had managed
to learn a great deal at CorDalbin in
very short time, and among the bits of
information 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, and greatly in
earnest. He felt that in appearance he
did not compare favorably with his two
rivals, to say nothing of those who par
ticipated in the general demonstration.
He also felt, whenever he regarded him
self in the mirror, that his broad shoul-
ders, bluff face and stubby hair were not
what should appear beside the dainty
combination Of grace, taste, sweetness
and delicacy that Miss Ma;hisen always
seemed to be. But the Squire was man
of resources; if he could not hope to cap
ture " Sweet Violet" by storm he might
gain her by regular approach. He would
adopt at first fatherly manner !; he would
warn the girl-or woman-against excit-
able young men who were likely to make
love and marriage proposals on no sound
er basis than their feelings. II, in this way,
he could gain her confidence he might
become more successful at a latter Pc
riod.
So he made special call for the pur-
pose, selecting 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 a
to develop his plan. Miss Mathisen lis
tened attentlvely; she was very grateful,
she was sure she had never realized that
In town containing so many pretty wo-
men quiet little creature like herself
was likely to attract any special atten-
ton, and she still hoped that Mr.. Bloker
might find himself mistaken But as for
his kind thoughtfulness-oh, there could
be no mistake about that it was such a
comfort in a giddy worli to meet some
one who cared sincerely for friendless
woman to warn her against the blunder
by which she mi yht suffer. 1t seemed to
her, said she, as if she had new courage
to live, now that some one had shown
himself so friendly. She was more CRATE
full than she could say: would Mr.. Bloker
try to understand her if she merely took
his hand and said, "I thank you?"
"Certainly-certainly," replied the
Squire with manly tenderness but some
how when he felt warm hand in his he
extended his disengaged arm, drew close
to him the trim little figure and said a
good deal that led to a marriage within
fortnight.
A happier couple never was known in
Cornalbin until one day commercial
traveller, of whom the Squire frequently
made purchases, entered the store as Mrs.
b. 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 and trembling
as he asked:
"Where are they p
Divorced-they don't suit her." was
the answer: "rll tell you all about
them"
"No you WON'T" hissed the Squire !;
land if you tell any one else in this town
you'll never sell me another bill of
goods"
Nevertheless, the story got out in some
way, and Mrs. Bloker, to live it down,
was obliged to remain afectionate and
true to the Squire, which was prob
ably the best thing that could have hap
pened for both of them.
NOT 800 OLD TO RE GOOD.