The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-12-04
SQuIRE RICHARDS
% ID SECOND WIFE.
HOW THE SCANDALIOVNG PEOPLE OF WHEATWOLD WERE
MORTIFIED WHEN BOUGHT A NEW BUGGY
THF COMMITTEES HASTY INVESTIGATION.


advanced, holding out his hand cordially.
Good morning, ladies good morning.
| am little late, you see. Hope you will
excuse my toilet; the fact is, | sat up
rather late last night and felt drowsy this
morning Fine morning, isn't it?'
Very enchanting, returned Mrs. Han
son, who greatly prided herself on the
elegant propriety of her language, sit is
beautiful enough for morning in the
gorgeous land of the Orientals. But to
change the subject, we called on matter
of busine SIS
whats the difficulty now, Mrs. Han
son? A new carpet for the parsonage, or
is $50 wanted by the Missionary Society?
Come, speak out"
"Ah, Squire, it is wuss than thatw put
in Mrs. Wilkes, no longer able to keep
silence; cit is something that consarns you
Squire consarns your everlasting and
eternal well being!"
''Indeed? Well, 90 on''
esquire, we called to see if you were
thinking Of marrying again. We
'You weren't going to propose to me,
were you, la 'ies? | should be exceedingly
happy to receive such proposals, but l
should have Deacon Hanson and Major
Wilkes in my hair 1t would not do,
| ladies'"
no. we supposed you had already made
your election of the person who is to fill
your dead wife's place, and we called to
talk with you about her. We have under
stood that she was in your house, and, if
agreeable, would he pleased to see her. Our
interest in yourself and your motherless
child has induced us to this"
"And we want to know where you got
acquainted with her, Squire and how old
che is; and if she knows how to do house,
work" said Mrs. Wilkes
GLOW did you learn anything about
this?' asked the Squire, evidently some
what nonplussed by the extraordinary
Knowledge of his aff4irs displayed by his
visitors.
"We heard of you riding out with her,
Squire; she dressed all in pink, with
green silk bunnit! Don't look very well,
Squire, to see a man Of your age riding
out with young gall"
"Well, ladies, suppose | should take
notion to get married? You could not
blame ne, do not think Here am with
no housekeeper, and an Irish girl to over
see things, and my home is none of the
most orderly. Elmctta needs some one to
care for her, and it would not be in nature
for father to be unmindful Of the in
terests of his child"
"Why, no, of course not But then, if
you needed a housekeeprr my Julia Ann
would come and look after things She is
a capital manager and very fond of children.
She and Ellnttta little thing
would get on admirably"
"Yes, or my Mary Elizabeth either! She
would be tickei to death to GOMEZ She
thinks so much Of Squire Richards and
his little gal. Aud, if do say it, Mary
Elizabeth is az njcn gal as there is any
wherer'
MARY Elizabrth's health is too feeble
for much eXertion, Mrs Wilkes; you do
not do right to put anything hard upon
her, you know she has a pain in her side
half the time. ~
WELL" said the Squire, at last; 81 do
not know what TO think about it. | do
not believe Elmetta would give up this
lady IN pink, as you call her, at all; she
has taken wonderful liking to her."
"Where did she come from, Squire?
You haven't told us anything about her
yet
"To he sure, Mrs. Wilkes. Well, |
found her in miliner's shop in the city
of Portsmouth,"
SIN milliner's shop! Then she is
milliner, is she? Well, never!'
"Wll you he kind enough to favor us
with an introduction? | should be happy
to see her before | form an opinion of her
character
"Well, Mrs. Hanson, it will be an adj
vantage to her to form the acquaintance of
two such estimahe ladies as my present
company; and will be glad to present
her to you forthwith. Pray excuse me for
a moment"
stop, Squire shouted Mrs Wilkes,
"what is her name?'
"Jennie Ray" returned the squire, dis
appearing in the passage.
Jennie Ray. regular story name! She
is some city highhyer, supposed
every likely, Mrs Wilkes; but see the
squire's mind is made up and it is no use
to say anything. We must make the best
OF her."
Just as Mrs. Hanson let fall his magnan-
imous speech, the door opened, and the
squire appeared.
Ladies'" said the squire howing pol
itely, ''permit me to present to you Mrs
Jennie Ray, my daughters wax doll,
which purchased at Portsmouth, last
week, ard which arrived day before yester-
day at the depot by express! The cost Of
it was forty five dollars, and at present /