Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1886-04-16
AN ODD MISTAKE,

mitted a great blunder. He had retired!
And now time hung heavy on his
hands, and he knew not what to do
with himself. So, for the lack of bet
ter occupation he took to calling on a
certain plump widow of his acquain.
tance, who had remarkably pretty
daughter.
Bessie Peploe was a younger edition
OF her mother. They had the same
black eyes, rosy cheeks and, truth COM
pels us to add, the same quick temper.
TN never marry old Gray" Bessie
told Mrs. Peploe, deiantly, after the
manner of the young lady who refused
q man before he FAXED her." for Mr..
Gray had not yet proposed. although
every evening he presented himself at
the widows dwelling, and sat by the
fireside in the most comfortable chair in
the room.
ave shall see," returned the elder
lady, and her bright eyes flashed, for
she had set her mind upon the mar
riage, and already regarded Bessie as
the mistress of Mr.. Gray's comfortable
house in the high street of the little
town in which they resided.
Eyes, we shall see,'' muttered Bes-
sic, and putting on her hat slipped out
to have walk with her admirer, Jack
Wilkins, to whom she confded her
trouble.
Jack was poor, and for that reason
had refraincd from offering his hand 10
pretty Bessie; but when she told him
that old Gray was after her he could no
longer disguise his feelings, and before
they parted the girl he loved had con-
sented to be his wife.
What will mother say?'' thought
Bessie with sigh, as they parted at the
gate OF Mrs. Peploe's cottage. THAT
horrid man will be THERE
That horrid man was there, in an
armchair opposite Mrs. Peploe.
He smiled at Bessie as she entered:
but Bessie frowned on him in return,
and his face fell. That evening the girl
was absolutely sullen; she spoke in
monosyllables, and ill-temper deprived
her pretty face of half its beauty.
Il am afraid her mind is set against
it, Mr.. Gray told himself with a SIGH,
land we mi ght all be so happy if She
could only look at the matter in a
proper light; but I suppose it's natur-
And he redoubled his efforts to be
agreeable-poor little man! for he had
IN affcctionate heart, and his big house
was dull and lonely.
But Bessie's face never relaxed it's
set expression. She hated the man.
and meant to let him see it, in defiance
of her mothers angry glances. What
business had Il man old enough to be
her father to come counting her?
You have behaved dsgracefullv,' -
her mother said, when Mr.. Gray had
taken his departure. 1T is so wicked
TO triae with the love of any man.
Il have never trifed with his love, -
replied her daughter. HE must know
that [ hate him. I have never at
tempted to disguise it; now, have I,
mother?''
You are FOOL" replied her moth
er. bluntly. "Mr. Gray is the best
chance you have ever had, or will ever
have, and ( insist upon your saying yes
when he asks you to be his wife =
Mother" cried Bessie, impulsively,
Shrowing her arms around her moth
er's waist, hiding her face in her bos-
ON. Mother, | have already said yes
to somebody else-somebody l love
dearly"
"What!' gasped Mrs. Peploe, free
ing herself from her daug hter's EN-.
brace. "Whatr'
ut is true enough" said Bessie, in a
ALTERING tone. Jack has asked me to
marry him and have said yes"
without consulting metz exclaimed
her mother angrily, looking at her with
sstern, reproachful face.
II love him." returned Bessie. "He
Is the only man in the world could
ever care for"
''Stuff and nonsepse!' cried Mrs.
Peploe. even if l liked the young
man-which / don't-your marrying
would be out of the question. He can't
afford to keep you" ~
Il am not afraid of poverty said
Bessie, bravely; ''besides, we are not
going to marry in haste, We car
wait" g.. .,. - -, '@'3.'s5. A.
''Poor fool!'' and Mrs. Peploe's lips
curled. II know what this waiting
means for woman. She goes on trust.
ing and believing in his promises; and
then, when her beauty has faded, he
turns round and marries someone else. u
even them said Bessie, ''the wo.
man is better off than if she had tied
herself to somebody she could not
love-" H.s.2 En- ,.ss=.
"Oh, yes, You are mad-quite mad, =
returned Mrs. Peploe; e'but, thank
goodness, you have q mother who
won't allow you to make an idiot Of
yourself. You will marry Mr.. Gray
and forget all about that misguided
young man. who ought to be ashamed
Of himself y s m $t ",
what for3'' asked Bessie, with re
sentiment. .ls q. 5s ray
For proposing to . girl whom hi
has no means Of keeping in.comfort,'
returned Mrs. Peploe. y on are E
pair OF lunatics; but, fortunately, I've
some sense left, and i won't stand b,
and see my daughter ruined for life. ',
And she hounced of to bed without
4 giving Bessie the usual good night kiss
Poor girl she missed so E0relY, and
Il sobbed herself "a sleep; but she mean
g ko Be true to jack III the same. No
even her nOthor',s anger would Induce
Dor to Rive him up and marry old Gray.
Size frosted thu object 81 his dislikt
81 ith ts ldness ga the; nsx1