Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-04-24
ALL A MISTAKE.

i Dare say, all my relatives will
think it very silly of me, said Miss
Maroon. But l really think l am
quite old and experienced enough to
manage these affairs myself. And
I've heard of q great many happy
marriages that have been arranged
Just in this way. To be sure, it Is
running a 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 a very
stiff backed chair, in the best room of
the little country tavern at Infdel. on
the Hudson. The stage had been in
for an hour at least, and Miss Maroon
was tired of waiting. She had
chirped TO the thrush in his cage,
counted ali the little red balls on the
Jerusalem cherry tree in the window,
and looked at the picture of the Sign
ing of the Declaration 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 unexpect-
ed 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 court
esied at the door, and asked her if
she should cook little piece of steak
or a dish of brook trout for her din
ner.
i don't expect to be here to dinner
said Miss Maroon, with dignity.
Oh!' said the landlady.
Ny friends will doubtless be here
to meet me in q very few minutes,
exclaimed Miss Maroon, glapcing at
che clock.
'Ahl' said the landlady.
But this is where Miss Maroon had
intrenched somewhat on the strict
truth. She had no friends at In6del-
on-the- Hudson. She had come there
under our breath be it spoken
with the desperate resolve to answer
q matrimonial advertisement. She
had seen it in the paper. She had
read it twice over and rather liked the
way in which 1t was worded. She
had asked herself, why notT and
echo had returned no unfavorable re-
sponse. And she had, so to speak,
taken her fate into her own hands and
came boldly to Infdel-on-the. Hudson.
But now, as the moments sped by,
she was beginning to wax secretly un-
easy. Suppose there should be any
mistake? Suppose the advertiser
should be suited already? Suppose
any number of awkward circumstances
to have interposed themselves in the
way of her welfa2e? But, just as
she was beginning to make herself feel
thoroughly uncomfortable, there came
a tap, tap at the door, and in walked a
stout, short man with a red necktie
and countenance to match
Lady from New York; said this
parsonage, without the least embar7
rassment. @ Ri
Miss Maroon rose with dignity.
Yes, sir, said she.
He was not exactly aristocratic
looking. There was no mistake about
that. He wore no gloves, and his
hands we're 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 lineagel
But Miss Maroon bethougnr herself Of
the old proverb about the deceltful--
ness of appearances, and plucked up
spirit.
You saw the advertisement, I sup
poser said the stout man.
4 did, sir, said Miss Maroon.
Think you'll suit'' questioned the
stout man.
'Sir2 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. a light
breaking in upon her darkness, 'then
you are not the party himselfT
'Oh, no, said the stout man. No;
I'm the business man! / settle every
thing for him
4 should prefer negotiating with
principals, said Miss Maroon, drawing
herself up.
1T IS the usual way we does it, re-
marked her interlocutor, picking q
broom splint from the floor, and be-
ginning to chew 1t.
The usual way2' repeated Miss Ma
room, more puzzled than ever. May
I ask how often the-the gentleman
has been married before?
Never been married in his life,
said the stout man. Circumstances
was against it, you sea-
sOhl' said Miss Maroon.
''He amt hard to manage said the
stout man. Them as he takes fancy