The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1901-01-11
A Weeks Engagements

' ' ' ' '
IT is extraordinary how wrong ideas
get about. Some people actually call
me a fiirt. There is not the slightest
foundation for such an assertion-eX-
cept that happened to get engaged
to five or six fellows one week. Qn-
dienantly.) 1 do think people should
be more careful what they say! (Con-
fidentially.) I'll just tell you how it
happened, and you'll see that I was
not to blame at all.
The first engagement was Sophie
McLeod's fault. 1t wasn't an engage
ment at all, really. We were talking
one Monday afternoon, when 1 was
staying at Aunt Anne's, and she kept
telling me how handsome and good
and clever Fred Thomas was. l got
so tired of hearing her that [ simply
had to do something. (Scornfully.) You
know what little silly she is.
my dear girl" I said at last, "why
do you think it necessary to tell me
his perfections?" She became ex-
cited directly.
81 thought you scarcely knew him"
she said. I believe I had spoken to
him twice, as matter of fact.
''Not know him!" 1 cried. "Do you
mean to saysthat you haven't heard
that he and II 1 paused and looked
mysterious.
What" she glared at me. "He-
you'll"
''It's secret" 1 said.
"You are engaged?''
ST did not say so.'' looked very shy.
Like this. Nooks shy.) 1 am not very
shy, really.
You wouldn't believe it; but the stu
pid girl turned quite disagreeable with
me. She. told her mother that Fred
Thomas and I were engaged; and her
mother told everybody. Fred Thomas
was away on visit, so he could not
contradict the report. thought it was
great fun. So did my cousins = the
ridiculous boys.
Rev. Adolphus Surplice did not think
it fun at all. He is Aunt Anne's tame
curate. (Meaningly) He had grown
tanner while was staying there. He
called at half-past nine on Tuesday
morning to inquire if it was true. OF
course l said ''No." He became so senti-
emntal that I wished 1 had said Eyes
He did not trouble to contradict the
rumor. (Refectively) 1 fancy he
thought it would keep other people off.
Wasn't it mean?
He called again in the afternoon, also
in the evening. Of course, report got
about that he and I were engaged. l
didn't mind the report; but minded
him. So 1 told Cousin Tom that he
must do something to protect me. He
said that he would. He is very in
genious. (Sadly.) I am afraid he is not
always strictly truthful. He had a
little conversation with the curate.
Then Rev. Adolphus picked up his hat
and rushed out of the drawing-room
with a loud groan. I was afraid Tom
had been disagreeable, so I asked him
what he had said.
"Oh!" he replied, carelessly, II just
told him that you were engaged al
ready"
''Why, you stupid" said. 81 told
him this morning that I barely knew
Mr.. Thomas" Tom grinned.
81 didn't say Fred Thomas"
"What! Who?" gasped.
"Me," said Tom, unabashed. could
have boxed his ears with pleasure.
"You don't want to be engaged to
me, do you?" I said, with horror.
10
"You nasty, rude-boy!"
"Oh, all right" he said, cheerfully.
II will if you like"
Of course I knew he wouldn't.
Oaughs.) There happens to be some
body else whom he prefers. So, on the
whole, thought it was a good joke
If mother didn't hear. Mother is-well,
very prim and proper, you know. with
much gravity.) 1 am considered very
like her,
On Wednesday afternoon, Jack
Toms brother-came to me with long
face.
81 say, May" he began, "I've always
said you were a good sort" He looked
as though he desired reinsurance.
81 don't mind your saying it," I in
formed him, graciously.
Thanks. Er-then you-er-w would
MT mind my saying I was-er-en-
gagged to you'll" I jumped up and
shook him. At least, tried to; but
he is six feet odd.
"You--you donkey!" 1 cried. ST
wouldn't dream of it,"