The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1885-03-13

Perhaps she would. He would offer a high
salary, and she could have plenty of servants
Then, indeed, he might have friends to dine
with him, and be as happy as possible. i
only he could approach his hostess showing
her as he did so that he considered her bis
equal and lady, and all that as she certainly
was-a little countrified of course, but 8
clergymans daughter, and the widow of 6
country doctor.
After much consideration he finally mus
tered courage for the effort, and walked into
the front parlor and sent the servant to ask
Mrs. Muntle to please step there for a mo
ment.
Gracious p thought Mrs. Muntlc, "wha
can he want?"
Then she blushed brightly, settled hel
necktie, took off her apron and walked de
murely in. . nd
"Be seated, ma'am," said Mr.. Patterson
"Sit here. please. Allow me to sit near you
as have something to ask which may re
qure some consideration"
"Oh, dear, it's coming !" said Mrs. Muntle
81 suppose you know I'm a man Of con
siderable means, ma am" said the old bache
lor, liable to buy nice house, furnish it wei
and live in il comfortably
$50 I've understood, Mr.. Patterson" sale
the widow.
"And of course it is pleasanter to live thai
way than at hotel" said Mr.. Patterson.
II should Judge it might be-" said Mrs
Muntle cautiously.
"You judge rightly" said Mr.. Patterson
but you know bachelor must be in the
hands of servants if he keeps house. A
gentleman don't want that; he wants lady
to superintend things for him-some one OF
taste and refinement, and all that Common
people don't understand his feelings, and
mercenary servants are poor dependence
81 know that" said Mrs Muntle.
You are almost as much alone as |, aren I
you, Mrs. Muntle?" said Mr.. Patterson coax
ingly,
"The doctor knew him. He's going to do
it, just as he said he would if he ever did,"
said the lady to herself Aloud she answer
ed: "Well, sir, l am pretty free, it is true.
All my children are married we'll"
II know money would be 10 object to
you," said Mr.. Patterson. you have
enough. But if were to tell you that hated
boarding houses, and wanted home, think
you would have pity on me. I'll buy beau.
tiful house, and you shall have complete con-
troll OF everything; only to make my straw
berry shortcake for me all my life"
He paused and looked at the lady.
That is delicately put" he thought. "Nor
will you hire out for housekeeper, fancy"
81 amt romantic, though" said Mrs. Nun
tie; "but STILL we amt young, neither of us,
and it gets to be just that with the most SEN
timental after while"
Don't refuse me-" pleaded Mr.. Patterson
"Well, Mr.. Patterson, l WON'T" said Mrs.
Muntle. "1'm my own mistress, and though
I've never once thought of second marriage,
why think Pm warranted in making one
And no doubt shall never repent, for think
you've fine disposition, and | understand
your ways and tastes"
Mr.. Patterson listened. He saw what he
had done; proposed and been accepted with
out having any idea what he was about. He
looked at Mrs. Muntle she was very nice and
comely, and ten years his junior, at least, if
she was forty. He could not have done bet
ter thing, and would be married without any
troublesome counting. So he at once put his
arm around Mrs. Muntle's waist, and said
THANK you, my dear. l consider myself
very fortunate"
He wrote to his good doctor in about a
tortnight's time, to tell him that he had taken
both his prescriptions-was a married man
and intended to bring his bride home about
the first OF the New Year.