The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-04-07
THE MATCHMAKER.



Miss Ferret was the chief dispenser
Of gossip in tho town of Linwood, SO
called because OF tho largo number Of
lind or Eastwood trees that shaded and
pcriumcd tho streets, their bows hang.
ing full OF heart.shaped leaves and
hanging clusters OF yellow.white flow.
ers. Unfortunately, however, Miss Fer.
ret was not aware OF tho unsavory dis.
tinc,ion sine enjoyed in tho estimation
OF her neirlbors and townspcople. No
power had ever bestowed on her the
"gitte" OF seeing herself as others saw
her, and the ecclesiastical soul really be.
loved tina. she was. to use her own ia.
vorite smile, mum as an oyster" and
"close as wax" 81 never run about
telling things," wos one Of the virtuous
asseverations in which she frequently
INDUCED.
Mr.. Hollis Hartman was the chief
merchant OF Linwood. He was n hand.
some bachelor OF thirty-ive, and he had
the nerve to call his place OF business,
with its two counters and one clerk. an
emporium" He enjoyed an UNUSUAL
amount OF trade from that portion OF
tho population which usually runs
down to the city" to make its dry goods
purchases, for no was considered quite
eligible" by mammas on the outlook
for proper settlements for their daugh.
tiers. He had inherited the business
and other property from his father, and
was laying Midas touch on every en-.
terprise he took hold OF. Atprescnt he
was building house-quitc an am
bituous brick, with more rooms than
the Usual number of four down and two
upstairs, which was the common form.
ula for Linwood residences. There was
long and wide veranda, bay window
thrown out from the sitting room, some
colored glass in tho street door, and
many other distinctive touches which
gave it an individuality of its own.
Among these was an archway between
tho parlor and sitting room, and n high
mantel piece in tho former, carved in
the natural wood.
OF course Linwood spcculated as to
his purpose in building 1t. When men
passed the growing structure, standing
high i'll commanding position, on the
grassy slope OF n gentle hill. they nod.
ded carelessly to their companions and
said: "Nicc place.! Wonder what Har-
riman is going to do with it?" The
women nodded, too, but with more
decision, and oracula.ly. with suppress
sed earnestness. remarked, depend
upon it that Hollis Hartman is going
to get married." The truth Of the mat
ter was that Linwood industries were
bringing in an increase in population,
and Mr.. Harriman's house was being
built as what he called "a spec"
Miss Ferret was troubled with keen
desire to. solve the mystery, for, not
having any business OF her own, she
dearly loved to mcddle with that OF
others. So ono pleasant spring day,
after having spent an hour or two in
pricing all tho costlies at Mr.. Harri.
mans store and having numerous sam.
pies supplied by the long-suIleripg clerk,
sho bought book OF improved neadle-
pointed pins" and cent roll OF tape
before turning TO the proprietor with
the insinuating question:
"Who is the happy bride you will take
to the new house, Mr.. Hartmann"
"lt's u dead secret" whispered he,
with glance over his shoulder Mt the
grinnine clerk, who Immediately as.
sumed an expression OF deep solemnity.
Come over here where he can't hear
us. Now! You needn't be afraid TO
tell me; l never carry tales"
Mr.. Hartman thought it would be
good joke to give her tale to carry,
and SEQ what would come of it. So,
without taking that sober, second
thought which is often deterrent to
tho too Free play, OF the unruliy mem.
Der, he smiled aud whispered, "Yon
certainly won't tell%
Never! I'm sure to DO close as wax,
and mum as an oyster"
"Well-now be sure you don't tell it
Its Judge Mayo's daughter Blanche"
Miss Ferret fairly flow along tho street
on her way home, spreading the news
rs she went, ior she was almost bursting
with sense OF her own importance at
being the first repository OF this excit.
ing information. And those to whom
she contided it, with many charges
never to breathe single syllable of it,
went oil at tangents in as many differ.
ent directions, carrying it far and wide.
~ must 50 up and tell Blanche the
Joke. and we'll have good laugh over
it before she hears from any other quar-.
ter" thought Hollis Hartman rs no
smiled 10 himself. But one thing and
another conspitod to hinder, and tho
story had winged its way throughout
the community for three days, and
Blanche Mayo had received dozen
congratulatory calls from women anx.
ious to be shown the trousseau before
tho merchant made his appearance.
When he finally did so, he WIS dumb.
founded to find that Miss Mayo received
him "witha power OF coo! stare in her
clear blue eyes equal to brownstone
fronts"
With the hope OF dispelling this cool.
ness, no told his funny story, but Tor
some reason which he failed to com.
prehend, Blanche did not laugh.
$50, sir" said she. .you made my
name the butt OF joke, and gave it to
mcddlesome gossip TO carry all over
this town. l am highly honored, /
assure you. It was q manly thing to
do"
"But, Blanche"
"Miss Mayo, il You please"
I'll didn't think you would take it
that way"
NO: dare say you didn't. 1t'svery
amusing, no doubt, to SANDER young
woman to whom you never-never-"
L --AIi.s Nia..a l.