Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1890-09-15
Caught at Last.

Mrs. Miranda Brown, who with hel
invitation wrote me these few lines
cit will be such an excellent time
to come, Olivia, for Mr.. 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. l await
ed Mr.. Silkskin's arrival with impa-
thence, and had my trunks already
packed, when one evening some one
was heard to rap violently upon the
front door---an unnecessary exertion,
considering the fact that there was a
bell and voice of exceeding meek
ness inquired of Biddy:
"Say, do you know anybody by
the name of Oily i-a---Olivy; l.
double-e Lee---Olivy Lee? / asked at
the groceryman's but he did not
know; and | went to the doctors
shop, and he said he reckoned it was
here. Is it"
1t was Mr.. Silkskin, who had the
envelope in which my friend had
his letter of introduction to me in his
hand. He was small, very young
man, with baby face and he smiled
all over as he poked the letters at me
and said:
"You are Miss Olivy Lee, [ reck-
on"
This was Mr.. Silkskin. He had
come to tea and to stop over all night,
and to start off in the morning, to the
establishment of my parents. But,
not to be outdone in hospitality by
western folk, they welcomed him
heartily; and sitting on the sofa, he
smiled at intervals and answered,
eyes, ma'am," and eyes, sir, ITO ev-
cry proposition. When an inquiry
was made as to Chickamahoo, he re-
piled, "that all it wanted was more
ladies' society,"" and then added:
'sTalking of that, declare, I've for
gotl" and produced a note. 1t was
from my friend, and read as follows
"Dear Olivia = Bring me on a
hard working girl. Hannah has left |
me to be married. Choose an ugly |
one, or she'll be married within a
month. Inclose check for her fare"
"Come an hour ago." said Mr..
Silkskin.
81 can get girl said I, remem
bering our Aid Society, and poor
Margaret, who could not get place
on account of her unprepossessing ap-
pearance. ''But Hannah married
Hannah is fifty, and has been with
the family always"
"Ladies,' said Mr.. Silkskin, "are
scarce in Chickamahoo.
instantly sent message to Mar
garet, who was forty red haired ,pock-
marked, lame of one foot, and 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 ST.
lence.
During its progress Margaret howl
ed perpetually over "the lonesome
ness" of her situation, and MI. Silk
skin appeared to become almost
deaf and dumb. He smiled occa-
sionally; 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,
offering me newspapers and bringing
me refreshments at stopping places.
When he asked where | was going,
and l stated the fact that my destina-
ton was Chickamahoo, he said he
was glad, for they need ladies' socie-
ty there. He was kind, respectable,
old enough to be my father, and re-
ally relieved the tedium of my jour
ney greatly. AS we approached our
final stopping-place, he addressed
SIlas Silkskin in these words:
"Young man, you take this cigar
and go smoke it in the smoking-car,
then come back"
Silas stared at him. but finally said
eyes, SIR and went. The stranger
instantly took his seat.
81 want to ask you something"
he explained. care you Mrs. or
Miss?''
'.Miss,' said |.
Engaged to that young man |
sent away?' he inquired.
ooh, no." | answered.
"Ah," said he. ''Going to be-"
"Heaven forbid - I answered.
every we'll" he observed, "J'm
Samuel Price, of Chickamahoo. I'm
rich, a widower, but no children. |
want a second wife. Will you marry
me?"
''Oh, no, indeed p said L, ''of
course not !'
sis that final ?" he asked.
eyes," said I, ssof course it is"
"Good morning." said he. eff
you 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.
Goodbye
He shook hands; Silas returned
the station was reached; we alighted.
Margaret was sent ahead with the
Trunks. we mountpd into what waS