The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-02-28
ALL A MISTAKE.
How the Black-Eyed Woman
Stole a March on Miss Maroon.


Stole a March on Miss Maroon.
81 dare say all my relatives will
think it very silly of me-" said Miss
Maroon. But / really think l am
quite old and experienced enough to
manage these affairs for myself. And
I've heard of a great many happy
marriages that have been arranged just
in this way. TO be sure, it is running
risk; but, after ALL life is a lottery, and
one has to take things as they come in
this world"
Miss Malvina Maroon generally
known as "Mally'' by her friends and
acquaintances) was sitting in very
Stiff-backed chair in the best room of
the little country tavern at Infield-on-
the-Hudson. The stage had been in for
an hour, at least, and Miss Mar Don was
tired waiting. She had chirped to the
thrush in his cage, counted all the little
red balls on the Jerusalem cherry tree
in the window, and looked at the pict-
ure of the Signing of the Declaratin
of independence" until she knew every
wig and buckled shoe by heart, and still
nobody had come to meet her. She
was beginning to feel little uneasy at
this unexpected delay. The landlord
had peeped at her, under pretense of
coming to fill up the big stone pitcher
with fresh cabbage roses; the landlady
had courtesied at the door, and asked
her if she should cook little piece of
steak or dish of brook trout for her
dinner.
Il don't expect to be here to dinner"
said Miss Maroon, with dignity.
ooh" said the landlady.
my friends will doubtless be here to
meet me in very few minutes" ex-
planned Miss Maroon, glancing at the
clock.
''Ah!" said the landlady.
But this was where Miss Maroon had
intrenched somewhat on the strict truth.
She had no friends at Intield-on-the-
Hudson. She had come there-under
our breath be spoken-with the desper-
ate resolve to answer a matrimonial adj
vertisement. She had seen it in the paper
She had read it twice over, and rather
liked the way in which it was worded.
She had asked herself: "Why not?" and
echo had returned no unfavorable re-
Spouse. And she had, so to speak, taken
her fate into her own hands, and come
boldly to Infield-on-t he-Hudson
But now, as the moments sped by, she
was beginning to wax secretly uneasy.
Suppose there should be any mistake?
Suppose the advertiser should be
suited" already? Suppose any number
OF awkward circumstances to have in
terposed themselves in the way of her
welfare? But just as she was beginning
to make herself thoroughly uncomforta-
bic there came tap, tap at the door,
and i'll walked a stout short man with a
red necktie and countenance to match
Lady from New York;" said this
parsonage without the least embarraSs-
ment.
Miss Maroon rose with dignity. Eyes,
SIR" said she.
He was not exactly aristocratic look
ing. There was no mistake about that
He wore no gloves, and his hands were
Stumpy and freckled-hiS hair stuck up
like the bristles of the fretful porcupine,
and his face, although good-natured,
bore in it no trace of ancient blood or
lofty lineage! But Miss Maroon be-
the deceitfulness of appearances, and
plucked up spirit
''You saw the advertisement, l sup
pose" said the stout man.
81 did, SIR" said Miss Maroon.
think you'll suit?" questioned the
stout man.
''Sir?" said Miss Maroon.
Because he's little peculiar" ex-
planned the man; land it amt every
body meets his views, you see!"
''Oh," said Miss Maroon, light break
ing in upon her darkness, ''then you are
not the party himself?"
''Oh, no. said the stout man. 'sNo;
I'm the business man! 1 settle every
thing for him."
81 should prefer negotiating with
principals" said Miss Maroon, drawing
herself up.
''It's the usual way we does it," re-
marked her interlocutor, picking a
broom-splint from the floor and begin
ming to chew it.
THE usual way?" repeated Miss Ma
room. more puzzled than ever. MAY
ask how often the-the gentleman has
been married before?"
s'Never been married in his life.n
said the stout man. circumstances
was against it, you see."
''Ohr' said Miss Maroon
''He amt hard to manage" said the
stout man. Them as he takes fancy
to can do most any thing with him."
Miss Maroon cast down her eyes and
slmpered at this.
Did you bring any references?" said
the stout man, abruptly.
references" echoed Miss Maroon.
Ever had any expeNence?" he went
on.
Sir! said Miss Maroon Il really
don't understand"
Your age seems quite suitable" said
the man. Il calculate you're about
forty, amt you? We couldn't give YOU
many holidays, nor Sundays out, but for
good, regular, steady place
Stop" cried Miss Maroon, do stopi
don't at all know what you're talking
about Holidays = Sundays outl rd
pave you TO know that am no house.