The Lamplighter

Excerpt: ...or a mirth which, though perhaps ill-timed, it was impossible to repress. Mr. Graham treated Miss Patty with politeness and attention, and Mrs. Graham spared no pains to bring out the old lady's conversational powers. She found that Miss Patty was acquainted with everybody, and made most amusing comments upon almost every person who became the topic of conversation. Mr. Graham at last led her to speak of herself and her lonely mode of life; and Fanny Bruce, who sat next, asked her bluntly, why she never got married. "Ah, my young miss," said she, "we all wait our time, and I may take a companion yet." "You should," said Mr. Graham. "Now you have property, Miss Pace, and ought to share it with some nice thrifty man." "I have but an insignificant trifle of worldly wealth," said Miss Pace, "and am not as youthful as I have been; but I may suit myself with a companion, notwithstanding. I approve of matrimony, and have my eye upon a young man." "A young man!" exclaimed Fanny Bruce, laughing. "O yes, Miss Frances," said Miss Patty; "I am an admirer of youth, and of everything that is modern. Yes, I cling to life-I cling to life." "Certainly," remarked Mrs. Graham. "Miss Pace must marry somebody younger than herself; someone to whom she can leave all her property, if he should happen to outlive her." "Yes," said Mr. Graham; "at present you would not know how to make a will, unless you left all your money to Gertrude, here; I rather think she would make good use of it." "That would certainly be a consideration to me," said Miss Pace; "I should dread the thought of having my little savings squandered. Now, I know there's more than a sufficiency of pauper population; and plenty that would be glad of legacies; but I have no intention of bestowing on such. Why, sir, nine-tenths of them will always be poor. No, no! I shouldn't give to such! No, no! I have other intentions." "Miss Pace," asked Mr. Graham, "what has become of General Pace's family?" "All...