Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1895-04-11


But Mr.. Clarence Sanford was not the
first one to learn that the ''course of true
love never runs smooth" He had OBJ
tanned the sanction of The parental board,
but he was soon made to feel that this
was far from being the most difficult part
of the undertaking.
The more Aunt Eliza and her consort
smiled upon him, the more resolute be-
came their daughter, until the poor lover
was almost beside himself with anxiety
and vexation.
She refused his attention, returned his
presents, made him the butt of ridicule
on all occasions, and when at last he
mustered up his courage to the point of
asking her the important question, the
answer to which was to decide his fate,
she replied with much gravity, while her
sparkling eyes were running over with
mirth, that she thanked Mr.. Clarence
Sanford for his hattering opinion of her,
but really she was 50 happy at home that
she could never think of leaving it.
This answer was duly reported to the
parents of the refractory damsel, who very
cooly replied that Viola was a silly girl
and did not know her mind, but she had
yet to learn who was master at the farm
house, and if fair speeches did not con-
quer her obstinaey, why something else
certainly must.
Things went on in this way for several
months, during which time nothing was
seen OF the quondam singing master in
the village, though report said he was
doing very well at his trade that of
tailor in neig boring town. 1t was also
learned from the leading members of the
church seWing-circle that he was about to
be married to Massachusetts belle.
If this latter report affected Viola, she
did not show it, for she was not girl to
die for love, that was very evident, and
her rosy cheeks and bright eyes testified
to that effect.
At length the perseverance of Mr. San
ford seemed likely to be crowned with
success, for suddenly the demeanor of
Viola became entirely changed, and she
| had evidently determined to resign her.
self to her fate.
When, for the first time, he had the
| felicity of escorting her to a party in his
new turnout" he was the proudest and
happiest of men; though it was certainly
ungrateful for her to leave him sitting
alone for whole hour while she was
making call at Col. Davis.
1t so happened that Eugene Cunning
ham was there at that precise time, but
how could Viola be expected to know any
! thing about that?
When at last she made her appearance
looking so provokingly happy, the en-
amored swain ventured upon slight
expostulation.
Nov, really Miss Haywood, this is a
little too bad"-but she cut him short by
esclaiming: "Mr. Sanford, am not your
wife yet, and if | was, wish you to dis
tinctly understand that | shall come
when l please, and go when l please, and
stay as long as | please
I There was nothing more to be said-so
the gentleman humby begged pardon
for daring to be out of humor, and ever
after waited in the road as submissively
as lamb, while Viola made her long
visits at Col. Davis
Spring was rapidly approaching, and
our hero, W no was weary of his long pro-
baton, began to urge upon Viola the
propriety of being married and settled
| before hot weathe r."
There was a perfect understanding on
the subject between himself and farmer
| Hayward, who had given his daughter
unequvocal intimation that if she re-
fused obedience in this matter, she had
no longer home beneath his roof.
1t WAS vain to argue, and still more vain
to suppicate, for like most ignorant peo-
pie, who mistake obstinacy for tirmness,
John Hayward prided himself on never
changing his mind in anything.
There was evidently no way of escape,
and Viola submitted to her fate with so
good grace that she was never seen to
shed single tear. 1t would even seem
that something pleasant was always be
fore her by the arch glance of her eyes,
the roguish smile that played about the
corners of her mouth, and the dimples in
/ her cheek.
If it is to be so, | suppose it must, y
she said one day when her lover was urg-
ing his suit. "If you choose to go to Bar
Harbor and have the ceremony performed
there, very we'll; if not, am in no hurry
to change my condition. We can easily
manage the thing by going from home
just for a ride to enjoy the balmy spring
atmosphere.
The gray eyes of Clarence Sanford
dilated until they resembled two large
'W hat in thunder" he said at last, "do
you want to run away and get married
for when the old folks are so agreeable
to the matter?'
Anybody can afford to run off and get
tied, but it isn't every body, reckon, that
can afford to have such grand wedding
as l have planned out and if the boys and
rirlc don dopce and froIic top If ha 4