Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1892-02-10
COUSIN MARK.

81 wouldn't marry the best man that
ever hved!" And she meant it, or,
what answers the same purpose, she
thought she meant it. After all, how
few Of us really know what we mean?
II engaged myself once, when a girl,
snd the simpleton thought he owned
me. | soon took that cOnceit out of him,
and sent him about his business" The
voice was now a little sharp. What
wonder with so CALLING a memory?
"No man shall ever tyrannize over me
never. What the mischief do YOU
suppose is the matter with this sewing
machineW
"Annoyed at your logic, most like
w." said my friend, a bright young
matron, as she threaded her needle.
my husband is not tyrant, Miss
Kent"
II am glad you are satisfied" was
the lacOnic answer.
1t was quite evident by the dress
makers face that she had formed her
own opinion about my friends hus-
band, and was quite competent to form
and express an opinion on any sub
iect. Miss Kent was a little woman,
fair as a girl, and plump as a robin.
She wasn't ashamed to own that she
was forty years old and an old maid.
She had earned her own living most of
her life and was proud of it. She was
good nurse, faithful friend, and
a jolly companion; but stroke her the
wrong way and you'd wish you hadn't
in much shorter time than it takes me
TO write il. Her views on all subjects
were strikingly original, and not to be
combated.
"What are you going to do when
the establishment.
"What other folks do, l suppose"
"But you can't work forever"
Cant say that l want to-"
"Now, Miss Kent, husband with
means, kind, intelligent man."
IL don't want any man. l tell you,
Mrs. Carlisle, | wouldn't marry the
best man living, if he was as rich as
Cresus, and would die if | didn't have
him. Now if you have exhausted the
marriage question, l should like to try
on your dress"
There was something behind all this
! knew well. My friends eyes danced
with fun; and as Miss Kent fitted the
waist, she threw me letter from the
bureau.
''Read that" she said with know
ing look. at may amuse you"
This is what the letter said:-
'.MY DEAR JENNIE:-I shall be de,
lighted to spend month with you and
your husband. There must be, how
ever, one stipulation about my visit
You must say no more about marriage.
/ shall never be foolish again. Twenty
years ago to-day / wrecked my whole
life" ("Better embark in a new ship,
hadn't he?" put in Jennie, Sotto roce.
$50 unsuitable was this marriage, so
utterly and entirely wretched have been
its consequences, that | am forced to
believe the marriage institution a mis-
take. So, for the last time, let me
assure you that | wouldn't marry the
best woman that ever lived, if by 30
doing l could save her life.
"Your old cousin,
MARK lansing
erich, isn't hep" said Jennie, and
then pointed to the chubby little figure
whose back happened to be turned.
shook my head and laughed.
"YOu'll see," said the incorrigible.
"See what?" inquired Miss Kent,
quite unaware of our pantomime.
"That parties which are chemically
attracted will unite. OF course an
slkali and an acid. Don't you think
this sleeve a little too long, Miss
Kent?"
"NOt after the seam is off. But
what were you saving, Mrs. Carlisle?
The other day at Professor Boynton's,
i saw some wonderful experiments"
"And did they succced?" inquired
Jennie, demurely.
beautifully"
$50 will mine. 1 never yet botched
sjOb in my life"
81 don't think l quite understand
YOU replied Miss Kent, perplexed.
No! always grow scientific when
taiklng about marriage, my dear"
"Bother!" was all the little woman
SAID, but the tone was much better ma
tured than | expected.
The next week Cousin Mark ar
nVed, and l liked him at once. An
The last thing thought of in connection
with that gentleman. He had accepted
the situation like a man, Jennie told
,he, and for fifteen years carried
load OF misery that few could have
endured. Death came to him at last,
ana now the poor fellow actually be-
neVed himself an alien from domestic
happiness.
:, singular as it may appear, Cousin
MARX was the embodiment of good
health and good nature; fifty, perhaps,
hough he didn't look it, and as rotund
una as fresh in his way as the little
uessmaker was in hers. As looked
" MN detied anybody to see Dnc and
not be reminded of the other. True,
e had more of the polish which comes
from travel and adaptation to different
SiaHSes and individuals, but he was not
Wmt more intelligent by human
"%'ure than the bright little woman
"hon Jennie determined he should
marry
i was surprised YOU should think
n necessary to caution me about that,
JouSlh sh Mark" coocd the plottcr, as
nv ho $1,000 by his side, looking out of
' window. "Thc idea of nv being
~ Liuiculous!" and in the same breath,
"n wink at me, '.Comc. let us go to
siung-room. We are at work
.here, but it won't make .uv difference
% You. will it?" --,-~-->,---,.