The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-07-03

"Eephy, she said at hast, n had a Witt fro
Mrs. Done yesterday"
'Tndeed, mamma" Sophia replied. She b
her lip, and SO hid smile, spirited and COZ
temptuous, with dash of amusement in Il
"And what does Mrs Done want, mammal
AShe says her son is in love with you"
Delightful, mammal Sophia replied, nov
with open amusement on her face. 30
has thrown his handkerchief at last. He ma
pick it up again, mamma, and put 1t n hl
pocket"
@Now, Sophia, don't talk in that hssty, in
considerate way" the old woman said II
an those cases we should consider, dear, Their
is nothing like"
Leather, mammal" Sophia cried, merrily
catching up her mothers old mocking phrase
The bright October sunshine and some whin
of her own feelings had put her in good spirit
that morning
Very pleasant, dear" the little mother re
marked, shaking her head soberly Somehow
her whole style of speech was relaxing il
energy; her words were pitched low; she di'
not speak with her former decision. PRESENT.
she said:
You must remember young Mr. Doan wa
never in trade; and beside, Sophia, he vii
settle twenty thousand pounds on you!
| Cant be had under forty, mammal Sophi,
seemed resolved to treat the matter in thi
! ocular way. 1t was plain that she realize
that she and her mother had changed posi-
tions; she was virtually mistress now; Their
might be argument, but no struggle Of will
| "Sha'n't cry cherry ripe under forty thou
sand pounds, mammap And Sophia tossed
her head and looked saucy and engaging, ant
cheap at double the money.
"Now listen to me, Sophia" her mother
said you will never have such another
offer-from money point of view"
"Well, mamma, will be serious" Sophia
answered, suiting her face to her words. a
would not marry that man for anything hi
could give me To begin with, l know what
his life has been"
"Now, my dear Sophia her mother said
with deprecating gesture Il will not hea,
anything about his manner of life. The men
are all in fault in that way"
fOae | know is not" Sophia tenderly
thought, clasping her darling's memory &c
her heart)
"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 man Who he
fore marriage. has-has-Seea the uorld
than one who will make you unhappy after.
The wilder the bachelor, the steadier the bus
band, so often have found it
Now you don't mean it, mamma you
know you don't"
Il do mean it, indeed, dear, and, besides,
whose fault is il if men are Wild 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 ! not watched womeni
More especially if a man is at all celebrated
we long TO make an impression. All womer
d.. My dear Sophia the greatest prude that
ever lived is pleased if she hears that a cele
brated man admires her Be he married OF
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 our
feet; liked it myself, deari'
Mamma
when they are celebrated, dear, remark
able, worth catching. You know
What is Mr. Done celebrated for;n Sophia
asked, scornfully.
Money, dear. As good thing as any
other. Some men are conspicuous for fortune,
others for looks, others for talent, others for
family. But when man is conspicuous for
anything, women like to have his admiration,
and that is how half the men are spoiled,
dear; we do it ourselves Why. even if a
man is conspicuous for virtue, most of us
would like to bring him to the ground-to
have him sigh fer us only once; and then we
can toss our heads and he as good as we
please. Our vanity is gratified'
Now, mamma" Sophia said, rather
shocked at this speech, and not knowing
resolved to treat it as ocular, this is only
your merry way; do be serious
q will, dear, if You will be serious, too"
There am serious now"
Very well, then Try and make up your
mind to marry this young man. Twenty
thousand pounds, Sophia"
Mamma, figures would not write the SUM
that would marry him for He is vulgar,
selfish, odious fellow. Marry him" Sophia
shivered as when some one walks over our
grave Call him husbandn
She made a grimace which her mother
could rot have surpassed, and which clinched
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 wher am gone, you had the
chance of wealth and ease before l left you
The word alarmed Sophia afresh She was
certain now of what her future would be
but she put on a bright face
Never mind, mamma, you are not going
to leave me yet; and when you do, if all else
fails, can sew gloves at twopence a pair;
but will not marry man the very thought
of whom makes my flesh creep. Oh, mamma,
mamma" Sophia cried, relapsing into gayety
now that her point was Won, for making you
dislike an offer, there's nothing like leather. I"