Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-06-18

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! temptuous, with a dash Of amusement In IL.
And what does Mrs. Done want, mammaF
aShe says her son is in love with your
Delightful, mammal Sophia replied, now
with open amusement on her face. So he
has thrown his handkerchief at last. He may
pick it up again, mamma, and put it in his
pocket
snow, Sophia, don't talk in that hasty, in
considerable way the old woman said. an
all those cases we should consider, dear, there
is nothing like
Leather, mammal Sophia cried, merrily,
catching up her mothers old hooking phrase.
The bright October sunshine and some whim
of her own feelings had put her in good spirits
that morning.
Every pleasant, DEAR the little mother re-
marked. shaking her head sOberly. Somehow
her whole style of speech was relaxing in
not speak with her former decision. Presently
she said:
"You must remember young Mr.. Doan was
never in trade; and beside, Sophia, he will
settle twenty thousand pounds onyouI
Cant behad under forty, mamma" Sophia
seemed resolved to treat the matter in this
ocular way. 1t was plain that she realized
that she and her mother had changed posi-
tons; she was virtually mistress now; there
might be argument, but no struggle Of will.
"Sha'n't cry cherry ripe under forty th0u-
sand pounds, mammal And Sophia tossed
her head and looked saucy and engaging, and
cheap at double the money.
"Now listen to me, Sophia" her mother
said. "You will never have such another
offer-from a money point of view"
@Well, mamma, l will be serious Sophia
answered, suiting her face to her words. II
would not marry that man for anything he
could give me. To begin with, l know what
his life has BEEN"
snow, my dear Sophia" her mother said,
with a deprecating gesture, II will not hear
anything about his manner Of life. The men
are all in fault in that way"
C"One l know is not!' Sophia tenderly
thought, clasping her darling's memory to
her hearty
"All are in fault that way" continued Mrs.
Temple. "Some let us know it, others man
age to hide it. In fact, all are alike. And,
indeed, Sophia, better marry a mar who, be-
fore marriage, has-has-seen the world,
than one who will make you unhappy after.
The wilder the bachelor, the steadier the hus-
band, so l often have found it,"
snow you don't mean it, mamma; you
know you don't"
II do mean it, indeed, dear; and, besides,
whose fault is it if men are wilde Ours, my
dear; ours alone. We are so fond Of con
quest and impression that we never leave
them alone. We get them into the habit Of
mind, dear. Have l not watched womenl
More especially if a man is at all celebrated,
we long to make an impression. All women
do. My dear Sophia, the greatest prude that
ever lived is pleased if she hears that a cele-
brated mar admires her. Be he married or
single, she will not care; she had rather have
the tribute of admiration than not have it.
O, Sophia, we are quite as much to blame as
the men. We all like to have them at ouI
feet; l liked it myself, dear!"
"Mamma!'
"When they are celebrated, dear, remark.
able, worth catching, you know"
what is Mr.. Done celebrated forg" Sophia
asked, scornfully.
"Money, dear. As good a thing as any
other. Some men are conspicuous for fortune
others for looks, others for talent, others f0
family. But when a man is conspicuous fO
anything, women like to have his admiration
and that is how half the men are spoiled
dear; we do it ourselves. Why, even if 6
man is conspicuous for virtue, most of u:
would like to bring him to the ground-tc
have him sigh for us only once; and then we
can toss our heads and be as good as We
please. Our vanity is gratifed."
snow, mamma" Sophia said, rather
shocked at this speech, and not knowing
whether her mother was serious or not, but
resolved to treat it as ocular, "this is only
your merry way; do be serious"
II will, dear, if you will be serious, too"
"There-I am serious now"
"Very well, then. Try and make up you
mind to marry this young man. Twenty
thousand pounds, Sophia!'
Mamma, figures would not write the sun
that / would marry him for. He is a vulgar
selfish, odious fellow. Marry himl' Sophii
shivered as when some enc walks over GU
grave. "Call him husbandl"
She made a grimace which her mothe
could not have surpassed, and which clinchet
the discussion.
"Very well, Sophy," the old woman said
sinking back in her armchair rather YEARLY
you must have your own way. Only re
member, dear, when l am gone, you had tn
chance of wealth and ease before / left you.
The word alarmed Sophia afresh. She wa
certain now of what her future would be
but she put on a bright face.
@Never mind, mamma, you are not goini
to leave me yet; and when you do, if all els
fails, / can sew gloves at twopence a pair
but l will not marry a man the very though
of whom makes my flesh creep. Oh, mamma
mamma" Sophia cried, relapsing into gayet.
now that her point was won, "for making yo
dislike an offer, there's nothing like leather.