Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-10-08

match at the place.
Cousin Belle decided that something
must be done. Her coveted prize was
slipping from her grasp, so at the first
opportunity she regaled Jack with the
history of the Van Tassel family, and
closed her recital of their circum-
stances in these words:
mice people enough, you know; old
Dutch and nll that; but there's skele-
ton in the family. they say, some
where, cousin or somebody did some
thing--I don't know exactly what or
when-disgraceful; and then her
mother was only poor music teacher,
who played at parties, and later, when
she got on a bit, sang in some really
nice concerts. That's how Mr.. Van
Tassel met her. She played at his
mothers parties. You see Mrs. Van
Tussel wanted to help the girl, and
that's what she got for doing it. John
Van Tassel was young and he feM in
love with the handsome music teacher.
She died when Miss Van Tassel was
only few days old, and John Van Tas-
sci, they say, died of grief at her lossi
but that, you know, is all bosh-men
are not made that way. The aunt
adopted her, and, with her limited
means, she educated her and tried to
push her; but, you see, she's failed.
She's caught no flies in her web, and
now she's 80, she isn't likely to, they
say"
Jack listened with an amused smile,
for this little cousin of his was yet
young in the art of diplomacy, and
her malice was very perceptible.
You would not advise me to pro-
pose to her, then?" he queried. You
know I've been seriously thinking late
ly of settling down-of marrying, in
fact-and thought that probably
girl of 30 would be more suitable for
man of 40, tired of the little whirl-
pools of society, than girl of 20. Miss
Van Tassel is the most attractive girl
of 30 1 ever saw"
| You surely would not think of her!"
cried Belle, with genuine horror.
why, they keep only one girl, and
when she entertains at luncheon-a
cheap sort of entertaining, by the way
she prepares most of the dishes her
self, and then appears, all fused up,
afterward, as though she hadn't done
a thing, and as if they had 40 servants,
And, do you know? they can't afford
to have even their gowns made. She
makes everything they wear, and they
live away over west-two hundred and
something. Myi if they were not Van
Tassels they'd be nowhere in society
-nobodies. AS it is, they are Just
tolerated"
Just as we are tolerated because of
our money, earned a hundred years
ago, by our grandfather-an honest
farmer-by his investment in land in
Harlem. The property went up, and
so did the family. We are nabobs, not
because we are Ruthvens, but because
we have money. Society, as it is tech
nically known, worships money and
dry goods. Give me the girl who, like
Miss Van Tassel, knows how to make
the home; she's good possession for
any man. A fig for society! Not one
word you have said but has raised
Miss Van Tassel in my regard, as
it would with anybody, excepting the
conceited snobs and do-nothings, who
were perhaps nobodies 20 or 30 years
ago. Really fine families do not draw
the line at the things you have men
toned. l am all the more decided tc
propose to Miss Van Tassel. She may
refuse me. l hope not, for l thinl
money and family a good combin
alton, myself. You should approve
cousin mine, for it's quite the thing
| +. s.s. i E. I.
and hard cash."
Cousin Belle bit her lip, as was usua
with her when vexed, but only said:
Jack, you're incorrigible. dom
believe you mean a word you say!"
Sailing, driving, dancing, walking
these were the daily occupations o
| "the pair" as they were now callet
by all the boarders at the hotel, VIII,
looked on with eager interest to Sc
. how the matter would end.
Cousin Belle became desperate, an,
held many conversations with he
aunt-Jack's mother-in which Mis-
Van Tassel was called "that designing
l creature" "the passe girl" and othe
: disparaging things. The aunt listene
and at first said little. Later, how
= ever, she expressed her conviction
quite freely.
| my dear Belle" she said, at is rea
!. ly quite kind of you to take such a
interest in Jacks welfare, and to war
me in this way, but have given tn
q matter much thought and have com
, to the conclusion that Jack cannot d
a better than to marry Miss Van Tasse
!, who is certainly charming girl. Sh
: is devoted to her aunt, who assure
me she is great comfort to her. Sh
. has many domestic virtues which wi
v make for peace and happiness in tn
:, home over which she will preside.
. can wish no better fortune for JAG
a than such a wife. Marriage is lot
a terry, but am quite willing that h
should take the risks in this case.
. promises well, at any rate, and sha
' advise Jack to marry her as soon g
she will have him"