Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1893-06-29
HOW THB PROBLEM WAS
SOLVED.

There's luck in odd numbers, say
Rory o more, and exceptions prove th'
rule.
1t was the exception in Marcia Har-
mons case. She was belle and beau
ty, and appreciated so highly the charm'
of an undisputed reign that she had nc
desire to change her condition.
But when she had reached the age O.
twenty two. her mothers anxiety was
aroused: for, like many mothers, she
believed in easly marriages, and had nc
desire to see her daughter personate the
last rose of summer and "waste hel
sweetness on the desert air" Of spin
sterhood.
She was not strong. minded nor re-
ticent, so that Marcia soon realized hel
mothers impatient desire to see hel
comfortably settled for life.
1t the young beauty had been obsti-
nate, Or headstrong, she would probably
have said.
1 will not get married till I am
ready.
But she was naturally sweet and
amiablc, if her vanity did not receive
too severe shock.
Fortunately that seldom happened
and, fully understanding the tende,
fears and solicitude of her mother, she
sad
We'll, mamma dear, I suppose Imus'
make choice, but amongst all the gen.
tlemen who visit me. there are only
three | could ever think Of marrying
The question is, therefore. which shall
1t be? ! like them all very much
Henry Waite because he is so cleyer
A Ian Blaney on account of his happy
disposition, and Edgar West for moth
ing IN particular, excepting that he is
So nice. If one Of them would only
do something heroic and beautiful
would give my hand in moment,witll
all the heart | haye felt from my other
various love affairs. | do not believe !
eyer could love in that tumultuous
overwhelming fashion described in
books.
If YOU marry a good man, my dear,
| have no fear Of your not making Il
happy wife, was the sangnine reply.
Consequently Marcia really tried, like
the dutlful daughter she was, 10 con-
centrate her affections upon one Of the
suitors named.
They We're all equally devoted, and
ready to prove their sincerely in any
way demanded.
If there were only dragons on the
earth now,' Henry Waite sald, or one
eyed monsters yearning for human flesh,
we might nave opportunities to display
our proves. OF course there are man
hole explosions and fires from electric
wires more destructive than dragon or
ogre, and if we could only know whe1
these disasters would occur, we might
proye heroes for your sake.
But if you all proved heroes, Marcia
answered, the case would be as compli-
Gated as ever.
And the truth of the remark was con-
iirmed at picnic she attended few
days afterward.
1t was in large and pleasant grove.
The young people wandered gayly about
under the tall trees. aud finally climbed
a high rock that was often viited by
parties in search of the romantic and
picturesque.
1t lowered above "A stream of quite
deep water, and the wise and prudent
were very careful not to get too near
the edge.
Prudence, however was not one of
MaIcia's characteristics, and upon this
day IN particular she was unusually gay
and thoughtless so much so that her
companions had several times warned
her, and begged that she would not 90
SO near the edge of the rock But it
only seemed to increase her heedleSs-
ness, until finally her foot slipped, and
with a piercing shrek she went down
down INTO the bubbllng waters be,
low.
Save her saye her = the girls cried
as they wrung their hands and burst
into frightened sobs.
But the three lovers, who only wait
ed for an opportunity to show their
heroism, were all there, and without a
moments hesitation the unflinching
trio threw of their coats and leaped
from the rock to rescue the object of
their devotion.
They were all good swimmers and
equally resolute, but the shivering
beauty was brought to land in ii most
dpmoraIizcd condition.