Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1890-09-05
ALL A MISTAKE.


81 dare say, all my relatives will think
it very silly OF me" said Miss Maroon.
"But l really think | 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 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 acquaint-
ances) was sitting in a very stiff backed
chair, in the best room of the little
country tavern at Infield-on-t Hudson.
The stage had been in for an hour at
least, and Miss Maroon was tired of wait
ing. 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 picture of the
''Signing of the Declaration Of Independ-
ence" until she knew every wig and
buckled shoe by heart. and still nobody
had come to meet her. She was begin
Mug to feel a little uneasy at this unex-
pected delay. The landlord had peeped
ut her, under pretense of coming to fill
up the big stone pitcher with fresh cab
bage roses; the landlady had courtesied
at the door. and asked her if she should
cook a little piece of steak or n dish of
brook trout for her dinner.
~ don't expect to be here to dinner"
said Miss Maroon, with dignity.
not ~ III a., 1.-lloI-
MY friends will doubtless be here to
meet me in a very few minutes" ex-
planned Miss Maroon. glancing at the
clock.
Abr said the landlady.
But this was where Miss Maroon had
intrenched somewhat on the strict truth.
She had no friends at Infield-on-the-
Hudson. She had come hereunder
our breath be it ~spoken-with the des-
perate resolve to answer a matrimonial
advertisement. 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
mott" and echo had returned no unfavor-
able response. And she had, so TO speak,
taken her fate into her own hands and
come boldly to Infield-on-the Hudson.
But now, as the moment 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 awk-
ward circumstances to have interposed
themselves in the way of her welfare!
But, Just as she was beginning to make
herself thoroughly uncomfortable, there
came a tap, tap at the door, and in
walked a stout, short man with a red
necktie and a countenance to matchl
Lady from New York; said this per
sonage, without the least embarrassment
Miss Maroon rose with dignity. Yes
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 NJ
like the bristles of the fretfuI p%orcupine,
and his face, although good natured,
bore in it no trace of ancient blood OF
Or lofty lineagel But Miss Maroon be
thought herself of the old proverb about
1.-The deceitfulness of appearances, ant
phhcked up spirit.
''You saw the advertisement, l sup
poser" said the stout man.
81 did, sir" said Miss Maroon.
"Think you'll suitY' questioned tn,
stout man.
''Sirg'' said Miss Maroon.
because hes a little peculiar" ex
planned the man; ''and it amt everybod.
meets his views, you seel"
"Ohl" said Miss Maroon, a light break
ing in upon her darkness, then you ar
\not the party himself!'
"Oh. no. said the stout a INC
Em the business mani settle everything
n him."
vi should prefer negotiating with prin
sAals,' said Miss Maroon, drawing her
"a up.
tt's the usual way we does it, re
maked her in~terlocutor, picking a broom
gulit from the floor. and beginning t
sheAit.
III usual way?" repeated Miss Ma
room, bore puzzled than ever. May
ask hoy often the-the gentleman ha
peen mArriad before
"NeVAr been married IN his life, sal,
The stout man. circumstances wa
against you see"
"Ohr laid Miss Maroon.
"He amt hard to manage" said tn
stout man Them as he takes a fame,
% can do most anything with him"
Miss Maroon cast down her eyes ant
gimpered at this.
did you bring any r~eferencesf' sal
he stout man, abruptly.
49,