Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1886-03-11
HER AWFUL TRIALS.

I'm sure don't know and I'm all
out of patience with trying to find out
so there don't see why | should be
doomed to life of Single unblessed-
ness" any more than any other NOR
tai for, althoug h III be frank and con,
fess that am by no means bewilder-
ingly beautiful, yet Pm tolerably
good-looking. 1t isn't that I've been
destitute of admirers; oh, no I've had
plenty of them dangling around me
AT one time or other. There was a
Young man in "our town" who reioic-
ed ina the l1elodious and romantic APP
pelation ofAminidab Slipklns-a ter
rible narrowing one for a yonng deli
cate lady like myself to think about !;
but then, even Mrs. Slipkins was bet
ter than Miss anything, you know.
We met quite frequently at the
parties and the picnics with which the
good people OF our village we're wont
to amuse themselves; and each time |
returned with the bhssful conviction
that he was more deeply in love with
me than ever, and that the day of his
declaration was not far distant.
He'll soon come to it, soliloquiz-
cd one morning, as sauntered out in
to the garden to feed nay pet hen,
great beauty in my eyes and those of
others, and one that Mr. Slipkins had
seen and admired Il declare, l wish
he'd hurry, for | want to see how it
feels to have a proposalp
Hardly had I given utterance to
this sentiment when / heard some one
calling, and looking up saw mother
in the kitchen door.
Susie, " said she, as / came up TO
her, Mr.. Shpkips has just called,
and wants to see you on particular
business, he says"
OF course these two words ''partic-
ular business" had but one interpreta-
ton to me, and / FASTENED to the par
Tor where Mr.. Slipkins was awaiting
me, and; after shaking hands with
him, sank into a chair to await the
course of events. He idgited around
a little, and finally, hitching his chair
a little nearer to mine, he began.
''Mlss-Miss Susie, came to ask a
"a favor Of you; l don't know wheth-
er you'll grant it or not, but 1 hope
you will"
OF course / thought this the proper
time to blush, which / did to my com
plete satisfaction, afterward tanning
myself and coughing little to recover
my equilibrium.
Proceed Mr. Slipkins!" said, in
tones of sweet encouragement, while
bhssful visions of a kneeling adorer
and protestations of undying affection,
etc, hOated before me; let me know
your request"
Well you see Miss SUSIE" contin-
ued Mr.. Sipkins wriggling around me
Ike an cal, and speaking as if the
words were jerked out by a force
pump, you see my mothers very fond
of them things and ] promised ia
bring her one if | could find a pretty
one, so thought d ask you" here
he kept me IN a state of delicious sus
pense, and then added-"If you let me
have that ere white hen of yours. I've
taken an awful fancy to her and
thought mebby you'd be wiliin' to sell
her to me, seem that we're friends. !"
Mr. Slpkins, you'll have to look
elsewhere, for shall not sell my pet
10 any one"
And leaving him in the parlor, to
hnd his way out as best he might,
hurried upstairs to my room and
threw myself in despairing heap on
the bed, indulging IN that Woman's
luxury "a good cry"
Never mind, Susiel' said mother,
when | decended from my room half
an hour later, and told her Of my
misfortune. There are plenty left
yet, you know. Now, there's Mr.
Maxwell. He seems to like you, and
shouldn't wonder if he'd propose some
Of these days"
These words soothed my troubled
feeling, and once more infused hope
INTO my maiden heart; and the very
next day, as | was sauntering slowly
lone from an errand ia the village
heard step behind me, and turnin-
ing, saw Mr.. Maxwell.
Good morning, Miss Susie, he
sand, as he held out his hsad. Il was
i1st coming to your house to see you,
and now that have met You / might
as well state my business here.
AGAIN my hopes rose balloon-hke'
as he paused for a moment
l have been looking around the
village for some time" pursued Mr..
Maxwell, to find a young lady suited
jor the station that is to be occupied,
aud don't see any so satisfactory as
Yourself, Miss Susie"
Here he paused again, and muir
INJURED
| am sure, Mr.. Maxwell, / am
1lonered with your preference. 1
should be very happy to"
| thought so, Miss susie, inserrup-
.ed he" and therefore let me ask you: