"
The mother expressed no surprise-she knew her daughter better than I
did, then-but quietly congratulated her, while I said not a single
word. My son went to see his companion home, and, as I had not
achieved this latest greatness, but had it thrust upon me, I and my
new found "wife" went to our room. The next day I removed from the
hotel to Margaret's house and remained there during my residence in
Rutland, she introducing me to her friends as her husband, and
seeming to consider it an established fact.
Three weeks after this mock marriage, however, I told Margaret that
I was going to travel about the State a while to sell my medicines,
and that I might be absent for some time. She made no objections,
and as I was going with my own team she asked me to take some
mantillas and a few other goods which were a little out of fashion,
and see if I could not sell them for her. To be sure I would, and we
parted on the best of terms.
Behold rue now, not only a medical man and a marrying man, but also
a man milliner. When I could not dispose of my medicines, I tried
mantillas, and in the course of my tour I sold the whole of
Margaret's wares, faithfully remitting to her the money for the
same. I think she would have put her whole stock of goods on me to
work off in the same way; but I never gave her the opportunity to do
so.
My journeying brought me at last to Montpelier where I proposed to
stay awhile and see if I could establish a practice. I had disposed
of my millinery goods and had nothing to attend to but my medicines
-alas that my professional acquirements as a marrying man should
again have been called in requisition.
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