Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1892-03-24
MAKING A MATCH.

I wouldn't marry the best man that
ever lived ! And she meantit, or what
answers the same purpose. she thought
she meant it. After all, how few Of us
ever know what we mean? 'Icngaged
myself once, when girl. and the SIM
pleton thought he owned me. soon
took the conceit out Of him and sent
him away about his business. The
voice was now little sharp. What
wonder, with 70 gallant memory
No man snail ever ,yrAnnize oyer me
never! What the mischie: do you sup.
pose ls the matter with this sewing ma.
chine?
Annoyed at your logic, most likely,
said my friend, a bright young matroa,
as she threaded her needle. MY hus-
band is not tyrant, Miss Kent.
I'm glad you are satisfied was the
lsconic reply.
1t was quite evident by the express
sion of the essmaker's face that she
had formed her own opinion about my
friends husband, and WAS quite coupe.
tent to form and express all opinion on
any subject. Miss Kent was little
woman, fair as a girl and plump as a
robin. She was not ashamed to own
that she was 40 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, a faithful friend
and jolly companion, but touch her
the wrong way and you d wish you had
not in much shorter time than it takes
me to write 1t. Her views on all sub.
jects were strik,ngly original, and not
TO he combatted.
What are you gong TO DO when you
are old p persisted the mistress Of the
establishment.
What other folks do, auppose.'
But you can't work forever.
Can't say that l want to-
Now, Miss Kent, a husband with
means, a kind, intelligent man
i don want any man, | tell YOU,
Mrs. Carlisle, I wouldn't marry the
best man Lying, if lie WAS rich as CrG-
sus and would die # didn't have him.
New, if you have exhausted the mar.
-iage question, l should like to try on
your drcss.'
There was something behind all this.
| knew we'll. Mr. friends eyes danced
with fun, and as Miss Kent fitted the
waist, she threw me q letter from the
bureau.
Read that, she saivl, with knowing
look it 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, howev.
er, one stipulation about my vlsit-you
must say no more about marriage.
shall never be foolish again. Twenty
years ago to-day l wrecked my whole
life. Better embark in a new ship,
hadn't ~ put in Jennie soto roce.
So unsuitable was this marriage, so ut
terly and entirely wretched have been
It's consequences that | an forced to be-
lleve the marriage institution mistake.
So, for the last time, let me assure you
that | wouldn't marry the best woman
that ever lived, if by so doing l could
save her life.
Your old cousin, MARX LANSING.
Rich, Ism t he ? 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 y
attracted will unite. Of course an al
kali and ain ac,i. Don. YOU think this
sleeve little too long, Miss Kent:
Not after the seam is off, But what
were You saying, Mrs. Carlisle? The
other day at Prof. Boyntons saw
some wonderful experiments
And did they succeed:' inquired
Jennie demurely.
beautifully.
80 will mine. never yet botched
job in my life
I don't think I quite understand you,
replied Miss Kent perplexed.
No? always grow scientific when
talking about marriage, my dear
'Bother!' was all tho little woman
said, but the tone was much better ma
tured than I expected.
The next week cousin Mark arrived,
and liked him at once. An unhappy
marriage would have been the last thing
thought of in connection with that gen
tleman. He had accepted the situation
like man, Jennie told me, and for Is
years carried load Of misery that few
could have endured. Death came to