, to whom he lost his heart
incontinently. His person and address were attractive, and though his
prodigality had impaired his fortune, still a rich old maiden aunt,
who doted on him, Miss Persimmon Verjuice, promised to do the handsome
thing by him on condition of his marrying and settling quietly to the
management of his estate. So, under these circumstances, he proposed,
was accepted, and married, and brought home his beautiful young bride
to reside with Miss Verjuice at the Willows.

In the early days of the honeymoon, one fine morning, when Mr. and
Mrs. Scatterly and the maiden aunt were walking together in the
garden, Tom Mayflower, dressed in his best, made his appearance,
wearing a smile of most peculiar meaning.

"Julia," said Augustus, carelessly, to his young bride, "this is my
gardener, come to pay his respects to you--honest Tom Mayflower, a
very worthy fellow, I assure you."

Mrs. Scatterly nodded condescendingly to the gardener who gazed upon
her with the open eyes of admiration. She spoke a few words to him,
inquired about his wife, his flowers, &c., and then turned away with
the aunt, as if to terminate the interview.

But Tom could not take his eyes off her, and he stood, gaping and
admiring, and every now and then passing the back of his hand across
his lips.

"What do you think of my choice, Tom?" asked Scatterly,
confidentially.

"O, splendiferous!" said the gardener.

"Roses and lilies in her cheeks--eh?" said Scatterly.

"Her lips are as red as carnations, and her eyes as blue as
larkspurs," said the gardener.

"I'm glad you like your new mistress; now go to work, Tom."

"I beg pardon, Mr. Scatterly; but I called to see you on business."

"Well--out with it."

"Do you remember any thing about saluting the bride?"

"I remember I paid the customary homage to Mrs. Mayflower."

"Well, don't you remember what you promised in case of your marriage?"

"No!"

Tom produced the promissory note with a grin of triumph. "It's my turn
now, Mr. Scatterly."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean to kiss Mrs. Scatterly."

"Go to the deuse, you rascal!"

"O, what is the matter?" exclaimed both the ladies, startled by
Scatterly's exclamation, and turning back to learn the cause.

"This fellow has preferred a demand against me," said Scatterly.

"A legal demand," said the gardener, sturdily; "and here's the
dokiment."

"Give it to me," said the old maid aunt. Tom handed her the paper with
an ai