The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-10-26
CAUGHT AT LAST.
BY VI. CADY.
| never shall forget how it Jared with

of eighteen, visited my friend, Mrs
Miranda Brown, who with her invita-
tiOn wrote me these few lines:
at will be such an excellent time to
come Olivia, for Mr.. Silas Silkskin is in
New York making purchases for his
uncle's store and will be delighted to
escort you back. And I'll never speak
to you again if you don't come"
This threat decided me. | awaited
Mr.. Silkskin's arrival with impatience,
and had my trunks already packed,
when one evening some one was heard
to rap violently upon the font door
an unnecessary exertion, considering
the fact that there was a bell-and a
voice OF exceeding meekness inquired
of Biddy:
"Say, do you know anybody by the
name of Oil v-i-a-Olivy L-double
e, Lee-Olivy Lee7 | asked at the
groceryman's, but he did not known
and | went to the doctors shop, and
he said he reckoned twas here. Is it p''
1t was MIR. Sllkskin, who had the en-
velope in which my friend had placed
his letter of introduction to me in his
hand. He was a small, very young
man, with baby face and he smiled
all over as he poked the letter at me
and said:
"You are Miss Olivy Lee, l reckon" "
This was Mr.. Silkskin. He had come
10 tea and 20 stop over all night and to
start off In the morning, to the astonish-
ment of my parents. But, not to be
outdone in hospitality by Western folk,
they welcomed him heartily ; and sit
ting on the sofa, he smiled at intervals
and answered "Yes'm," and eyes sir"
to every proposition. When an inquiry
was made as to Chickamahoo, he re
piled, "that all it wanted was more la
dies society,"" and then added: "Tal
king of that, | swow, I've forgot !" and
produced a note. 1t was from my
friend and read as follows:
"DEAR OLIVIA Bring me on a
working girl. Hannah has left me
to be married. Choose an ugly one,
or she will marry in a month. In in
close check for her fare
"Come an hour ago." said Mr.. Silk
skin.
81 can get GIRL" SAID |, remember
ing our Aid Society and poor Margaret,
who could not get place on account
of her unprepossessing appearance.
"But Hannah married? Hannah is
fifty and has beer with the family al
ways"
ladies are scarce in Chickamahoo, "
said Mr. Seaiskin.
| instantly sent messenger to Mar
garet who was forty, red haired, pock
marked, lamed OF one foot, blind of one
eye, told her to pack up at once and
meet us at the depot in the morning
which, to cut long story short, she
did. We entered the cars and began
our long journey in silence. During its
progress Margaret howled perpetually
over the "lonesomeness" of her situa-
ton, and Mr.. Sllkskin appeared to be-
come almost deaf and dumb. He
smiled occasionally and when spoke,
he said, eyes, ma'am, that was all.
Meanwhile portly gentleman con
versed with me over the back of the
seat, pointing out places of interest, Of
fering me newspapers and bringing me
refreshments at stopping places. When
he asked where | was going, and |
stated the fact that my destination was
Chicks mahoo, he SAID that he was glad,
for they needed ladies' society there.
He was kind, respectable, old enough
to be my father, and really relieved the
tedium of my journey greatly. AS we
approached our final stopping place, he
addressed Silas Silkskin in these words ::
"Young man you take this cigar and
go smoke 1t in the smoking car, then
come back"
Silas stared at him, but finally said
''Yes sir" and went. The stranger in
stantly took his seat.
81 want to ask you something" he
explained. care you Mrs. or Miss P'
"Miss," said.
Engaged TO that young man sent
away?" he inquired.
ooh, no." l answered.
"Going to be" said he.
"Heaven forbid !'' answered.
Every WE'LL" he observed, M'm Sam
uel Price, of Chlckamahoo Pm rich, a
widower with no children. l want a
second wife, Will you marry me?"
"Oh. no, indeed w said "of course
not !"
SIS that hnal2' he asked.
YES" said "of course it is"
"Good morning." said he. eff you
ever change your mind. let me know.
I'm a solid man in Chickamahoo. Your
friends will advise you to have me. No
offence on either side. Good bye"
He shook hands Silas returned the
station was reached we alighted.
Margaret was sent ahead with the
trunks and we mounted into what was
called public carryall, and Silas draw
ing near to me assumed a sentimental
look.
"We pass the squire's," he stated.
"Do we?" asked |.
fVac and no,,;D;a prom,1e too,,