The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-07-21
u
Slight
Mistake

From Chambers Journal.
Marriage is the saving Of young
man" said my Aunt Tabitha senten-
tiously.
/ assented for find it pays to give
a ready acquescence to abstract propo-
stions.
you must marry" continued my
aunt
l hesltated, for to assent to the con-
crete Is more dangerous.
II am still very young I said
meekly.
My aunt turned to my mother.
"Whom shall Alfred marry?"
My mother shook her head.
Somebody nice" she volunteered.
What do you say to Letitia Brown
low?" asked my aunt
II would prefer to say nothing to
Letitia Brownlow," / interposed hast
lily.
"Or Amelia Stafforth?"
is she not rather"-my mother
waved one hand-'and Alfred is so
slim"
II think she has a very fine figure"
responded my aunt. "Or there is Ger
trude Williams; she will have a for
tune II she outlives her sisters"
There are only five of them," / said
hopefully.
"Or Mabel Gordon?"
"She has taken Il course of cooking
lessons" observed my mother.
NO, none Of these" l cried decis-
lively.
My aunt looked offended.
Very well, then, choose for your
self" she said tnrtly.
PERHAPS that would help" l re-
marked thoughtfully
You will choose somebody nice,
won't you. Alfred?" said my mother.
with money observed my aunt.
"Well connected" emphasized my
mother.
'sNot too young" added my aunt.
And religious" begged my mother.
There is no objection to her being
good looking?" I asked. trihe timidly.
mo, think not" said my aunt, pro .
vided she fully understands beauty is
but skin deep"
Il will tell her" I murmured.
We'll" said my aunt, impatiently,
after a short pause, whom do you sug-
gest?"
What do you say to winifred Fra
ser?"
THAT mink" cried my aunt.
"Oh, Alfred" echoed my mother.
"Why not?" asked.
Such a dreadful family" said my
mother.
80 fast" interjected my aunt.
But you never noticed the sun on
her hair?" I asked innocently.
NV aunt drew herself up
we have not noticed the sun on her
hair" she said with much dignity,
nor do we wish to observe the sun
On her hair"
was just annoyed Il really think
it must be Winifred Fraser" l said.
she is very fond of me"
How can you be so cruel to me?"
cried my mother. Have you noticed
how gray my hair is getting? You
will not have me long" She drew out
her handkerchief.
You will come to a bad end" said
my aunt. IT always thought you were
.epraved. If you marry that painted
hrssy you must not expect my coun-
tenance."
Under the circumstances I will not
marry Winifred Fraser" I said with
| greet magnanimity, for did not par
t:cularly want my aunt's counten-
ance
My aunt shifted. you had better
not"
II merely joked," I said soothngly,
remembering she had not made her
will.
Indeed"
The truth isl dropped my voice
Il am in love with some one else"
And you never told me-" said my
mother reproachfully.
The girl l love is not free"
Married" cried my aunt.
Not married-but engaged"
"Wl o is it?" asked my mother gen.
tly. l vas silent :cl mo rea. and
then sighed.
at is Constance Burleigh."
1T would have been a most suitable
match" murmured my mother.
Very suitable" repeated my aunt
There was a momentary silence
broken by my aunt
Il did not know Constance was en-
gagged"
1t is a secret; you must not repeat
what l have told you
Il don't like these secret engage
ments," said my aunt brusquely, Who
told yOu?"
"She told me herself"
who is the man?'
Il do not think l should repeat his
name"
Il hope Constance is not throwing
! herself away"
l shook my head doubtfully.
you know the man."
| I nodded.
lis he quite-quite--"
Again shook my head doubtfully
What have you heard?" my aun
asked eagerly.
Il don't think I ought TO repeat thes'
things"
You can surely trust your mother
| murmured my mother.
And my discretion said my aunt
Well" | said, II have been told h,
is cruel to his mother"
Really" cried the two ladies in {
breath
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