Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1894-07-05
CUPIDs DARTS.
How One Of Them Pierced Two
Unwilling Hearts,

Unwilling Hearts
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 very few
of us really know what we mean. II
engaged myself once when q girl. and
the sinspleton thought he owned me, I
soon took the conceit out of him and
sent him away about his business. ~
The voice was now q little sharp.
What wonder, with SO CALLING a mem
ory? mo man shall ever tvrannize
over me-never! What the mischief do
you suppose is the matter with the
sewing machine:n
Annoyed at your logic. most like
ly, said my friend, a. bright young
natron. rs she threaded her needle.
My husband fs net tyrant, Miss
Kent
Il am glad you are satisfied" was
the laconic reply.
1t was evident by the expression OF
the dress'm1lcer's face that she had
formed her own opinion about my
trends husband, and was quite com
petent to form and express an opinion
on any subject Miss Kent was little
woman, fair as girl and plump as q
robin She wasn't ashamed to own
that she was forty years old andan old
maid. Sise had earned her own living
most of her life, and was proud of it.
She was good nurse, a faithful
friend and a jolly companion; but
stroke her the wrong way, and you'd
wish you hadn't in much shorter time
than 1t takes to write it. Her views
on all subjects were strikingly orig
1nAl and not to be combated
What are you going to do when
you are old?" persisted the mistress of
the establishment.
What other folks do, suppose"
But you can't work forever"
Cant say that want to-"
Now, Miss Kent, a husband with
means. a kind, intelligent man.
i don't want any man. i tell, you,
Mrs Carlisle, / wouldn't marry the
best man living, if he was as rich as
Creesus and would die if / didn't have
him. Now. if you have exhausted the
marriage question, 1 should like to try
on your dress"
There was something behind all this.
knew cell. My friends eyes danced
with fun and as Miss Kent fitted the
waist sh threw me letter from the
bureau.
Read that she said, with know
ing look. 1T may amuse you"
MY DEAR JENNIE: 1 shall be delighted to
spend "a month with you and your husband.
The-e must. however. be one stipulation about
my visit-you must say no more about mar
rage 1 shall never be foolish again Twenty
years ago to-day 1 wrecked my whole life.
tBetter embark in q new ship, hadn't he: put
In Jennie sottovoice.) So unsuitable was this
marriage. utterly and entirely .wretched
have been its consequence, that am forced to
believe the marriage institution q mistake So.
for the last time. let me assure you that
wouldn't marry the best woman that ever lived.
II By SO doing Icould save her life. Your old
cousin. MARK LANSING
''Rich, isn't hep said Jennie. and
then pointed to the chubby little figure
whose back happened to be turned.
i shook my head and laughed.
you'll see,' said the incorrigible.
''See what?' inquired Miss Kent,
quite unaware of the pantomime-
That parties which are chemically
attracted will unite. OF course. an
alkali 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 saying. Mrs. Carlisle?
The other day, at Prof. Boynton's
saw some wonderful experiments
'.And did they succeed?' inquired
Jennie, demurely.
beautifully"
$50 will mine 1 never yet botched
a job in my life"
IL don't quite understand you" re-
piled Miss Kent, perplexed-
''No? l always grow scientific when
talking about marriage. my dear"
BOTHER was all the little woman
said. but the tone was much better
natured than / 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 gentleman. He had accepted the
situation like a man, Jennie told me.
and for fifteen years carried q load of
misery that few could have endured.
Death came to him at last, and now
the poor fellow actually believed him
self an alien from domestic happiness
Singularly as it may appear, Cousin
Mark was the embodiment of good
health and good nature; fifty, perhaps,
though he didn't look it. and as rotund
and as fresh in his way as the little
dressnaker was in hers As / looked
at him defied anybody to see one and
not be reminded of the other. True,
he had more of the polish which comes
fram travel and adaptation to different
classes and individuals, but he was not
q whit more intelligent by nature than
the bright little woman whom Jennie
determined he should marry.
II was surprised you should think it
necessary to caution me about that,
Consin Mark" cooed the plotter, as
she stood by his side looking out of the
window. The idea of my being SO
ridicuIous." and in the same breath.
with a wink at me: '.Come, let us go to
nv s;tting-room. We.are at work there.
but it won't make any difference to
you. will it2''
OF course Cousin Mark said: NO,
promptly. as innocent as dove about
the trap being Laid for him.
This is my cousin, Mr.. Lansing.
Miss Kent"
Mr. Lansing bowed politely and Miss
Kent rose dropped her scissors. blushed
and sat down again Cousin Mark
picked up the refractory implements
and then Mrs Carlisle proceeded, with
rare caution and tact. to her labor of
love. Cousin Mark. at her request.
read aloud an article from the Science
Monthly. drawing Miss Kent into the
discussion as deity as was ever fly