The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-12-10
CAPTURING AN EARL.

| think has arrived at the hotel?n
ANY of our friendsP" inquired the
daughter.
81 wish I could say he was" said
Mrs. Jenkins. mo, Matilda, it is no
less than a member of the British
nobility"
How do you know, mother?"
Because happened to be in the
post-office a few minutes since, and
with my own eyes saw letter upon
the wheel directed Earl Spencer, Jones'
boro hotel. So went right over to
the hotel and found that it was so.
The landlady pointed out the young
man to me. Oh, Matilda, he is such
an elegant young man, and all that air
of high breeding ard so on, which you
only find in the nobility"
Really, mother, you quite excite
my curiosity
But I've got more to tell you,
Matilda. I've managed to get an in
vitation from the landlady to come
over and take tea, so that we shall be
introduced to him. Only think of that!
And if-only think-he should take a
fancy to you, and, Matilda, though
ought not to say it, you are very
pretty-just the very picture of what
| was at YOUR age: as ] uas- saving t
don't think it at all improbable, at
tract his attention, and think what a
fine thing it would be if you should be-
come countess"
Mrs. Jenkins paused to take breath
after this long and rather loosely
jointed speech to see what effect it
would have upon her daughter. The
lot 70 Of
she could wish. She was like her
and her mothers words had stirred her
ambition.
La, how fine that would be!'' she
exclaimed. II guess Ellen Hawkins
would not show her airs any more.
The mean creature, wouldn' take any
notice of her, except just to invite her
to the wedding, so that she might have
a chance to envy my good luck"
Very true" said her mother, ap-
provingly; 'but you know a good deal
must be done before this can be ac-
complished. You must endeavor to
look our prettiest tonight, so as to
produce an impression upon the young
man, if possible. 1 think you had
better wear your green de laine."
No, mamma that doesn't become
me. l shall wear my plum-colored
silk, and you must lend me your gold
chain"
But" said Mrs. jenkins reluctant
ly, Il was going to wear that myself. "
II don't see," said her daughter,
tossing her head. s'that it is of much
consequence how you look. presume
you don't expect the young lord will
marry you, But it is very important
how 1 look. If l can't 90 looking
decent won't 90 at all. OF course,
all the ladies in England have gold
and jewels to wear, and l know he
won't say a word to me unless l have
something of the kind"
perhaps you ought, Matilda" said
her mother. Il am sure it is my sole
aim in life to promote your success,
and if l could only live to see you the
wife of an earl should die in peace"
Notwithstanding the apparent disin-
terestedness of this remark, it is proba-
BILE that unless Mrs. jenkins expected
to share in the prosperity OF her
daughter she would have cared consid-
era6ly less for her alliance with the
nobility.
That was busy day for Mrs. jenkins
and her daughter. 1t took them up to
the very moment of departure to ar
range their toilet. At length, re-
splendent with the best their ward
robes could furnish, they went over to
the hotel. 1t may be remarked, by
the way, that Mrs. jenkins with the
cunning natural to such an admirable
manager, had not whispered a word of
her ulterior designs to the landlady.
She even cautioned her daughter not
to address the nobleman by his title IN
the hearing of any one else.
Six o'clock found them seated in the
hotel. 1t so chanced that Earl Spencer
was the only guest Ghe reader must
remember that it was small country
| inn), and accordingly Mrs. jenkins
and her daughter had the distinguished
stranger quite to themselves. 1t suited
Mrs. jenkins to appear quite ignorant OF
| the earl's station-even of his nation
| ality, unless he should himself reval 1t.
1t would have been somewhat ditf1-
cult to decide where in lay the marks
| of high birth which Mrs. jenkins pro-
fessed to find in the stranger. He
| looked much more like a third-rate
clerk. He wore flash waistcoat, an
extensive cravat, a gorgeous watch
chain which might have been gold, but
| looked more like the snowy articles
which remind one of the old proverb
that s'all is not gold that glitters." :"
But Mrs. jenkins was not women
of great discernment. She saw moth
ing but what might be expected OF
an earl, and murmured in the ear OF
Matilda that his appearance was very
distingue-by the way, she pronounced
the word in a way of her own.
Matilda nodded assent to hel
mothers remark, and began to play
off her airs and graces upon the dis,
tinguished gentleman. Her delight
was great to find that she was creating
an impression. The earl listened tc
her very attentively, and even conde,
scended to exchange a little playful
badinage.
II should Judge" said Mrs. Jenkin:
at length, that you were not al
American. There is something abou
you which makes me think you an En-
glishman."
You are right, ma'am," said the
earl, Il am from England"
MAY 1 ask if you have been long IL
our country?"
Mrs. jenkins hardly knew whether
to say sir or not, but finally decided
not to do so.
"Only few months" was the reply
ga few months" thought she
sThen he must certainly be travelling
incog, or we should have heard OF hi
being here by the papers.
When they were ready to depart thu
managing lady turned to the English
man and said:
II should be very happy indeed t.
see you at our house to tea tomorrow
evening if you have no other engage
ment. I have always had very hig
idea of the English and am glad to hav
an opportunity to show it.