Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1889-10-30
A MATRIMONIAL SPECULATION

= Il
"I wouldn't marry the best man that
ever livedi'' And she meant 1t, or,
what answers the same purpose, she
thought she meant it. After all, how
few of us ever really know what we
mean? ~ engaged myself once, VIII ,n
girl, and the simpleton thought he
owned me. / soon took the conceit out
of him, and sent him away about his
business The voice was now little
sharp. What wonder, with so CALLING
a memory? "No man shall ever tyran-
nize over me-neverl What the mis-
chief do you suppose Is the matter with
this sewing-machine?"
Annoyed at your logic, most likely, "
said my friend, a bright young matron,
as she threaded her needle. my hus-
baud Is no tyrant, Miss Kent"
II am glad you are satisfied" WIS
the laconic answer.
1t was quite evident by the express
sion of the dressmaker's face that She
had formed her own opinion about my
friends husband, and was quite com
petent to form and express All opinion
ON any subject. Miss Kent was a lit lie
woman, fair as girl, and plump as a
robin. She wasn't ashamed TO own
that she was forty years old and an old
maid. She had earned her own living
most of her life and was proud of II.
She was a good nurse, faithful friend,
and jolly companion; but stroke her
the wrong way and you'd wish you
hadn't in much shorter time than II
takes me to write 1t. Her views on all
subjects were strikingly original, and
not to be combated.
.sWhat are you going to do when you
are old?" persisted the mistress of the
| establishment"
"What other folks do, l suppose"
ssBut you can't work forever"
-sCan't say that l want to-"
"Now, Miss Kent, husband will
means, kind, intelligent man"
"I don't want any man. L tell you,
| Miss Carlisle, L wouldn't marry th'
best man living. if he was as rich a
| Crusus, and would die if l didn't have
him. Now if you have exhausted thu
marriage question, l should like to trl
| on your dress"
| Tnere was something behind all thi
l knew well. My friends eyes danced
with fun; and as Miss Kent fitteC
the waist, she threw me a letter from
he bureau.
Read that" she said with a know
ng look. at may amuse you"
This is what the letter SAID:
"MY DEAR JENNIE:-I shall be de
lighted to spend month with you ant
Your husband. There must be. how
ever, one stipulation about my visit
YOU must say no more about marriage
shall never be foolish again. Tr ent.
wears ago to-day l wrecked my Who'll
life" C"Better embark in a new ship
hadn't hep put in Jennie, soto yoce.
80 unsuitable was tins marriage, S
utterly and entirely wretched hav
been its consequences, that l am forces
to believe the marriage institution
mistake. So, for the last time, let m
assure YOU that l wouldn't marry Tn
best woman that ever lived, if by 5
doing | could save her life.
Your old cousin, MARK lansing.
"Rich, isn't heP'' said Jennie, an
then pointed to the chubi y little ngur
whose back happened to be turned.
l shook my head and laughed.
You'll see,'' said the incorrigible.
"See what?" inquired Miss Kent
. quite unaware Of our pantomine.
THAT parties which are chemical
attracted will unite. OF course a
alkali and an acid. Don't you thin
this sleeve is a little too long, Mi:
kentl''
Not after the seam is off. But wha
,, were you saying, Mrs. Carlisler Ih
other day, at Professor Boynton's,
= slw some wonderful experiments.
Ami did they succeedT'' inquire
Jennie, demurely.
beautifully.
$50 will mine. L never yet botche
a job IN my life"
Il don't think / quite understan
! you," replied Miss Kent, perplexed.
No? l always grow scientific whe
talking about marriage, my dear
"Botherl'' was all the little woma
said, but the tone was much bette
+, natured than 1 expected.
The next week cousin Mark arrive
and L liked him at once An unhapI
marriage would have been the la
thing thought of in connection WI
that gentleman. He had accepted Il
y situation like man, Jennie told M
and for fifteen years carried load
) misery that few could have endure'
Death came TO him at last, and now Il
4 poor ltllO" ACTUALLY bciAS'SN AAAA4ScAA
I alien from domestic happiness.
c Singular as 1t may appear, Cousi
Mark was the embodiment OF goC
n health and good nature; fifty. perhap
d though he didn't look 1t, and as rotuI
| and as fresh in his way as the lit
DIR. ssmaker was in hers. AS L locke
d at him L defied anybody to see one al
not be reminded of the other Tru
s he had more of the polish which com
? from travel and adaptation TO dif1erel
S classes and individuals, but he was NJ
: a whit moe intelligent by human n
i ture than the bright little woman who
d jimmie determined he should marry.
II was surprised you should think
IS necessary to caution me about tina
cousin Mark cooed the plotter,
e she stood by his side, looking out OF q
window The idea of my being
p ridiculousi'' and in the same breat
o with a wink at me, "Come, let US |
Il 10 my sitting-room. We are at VOL
r. there, but 1t won't make any diheren
le TO you, will it?"
Of course Cousin Mark answer