g man--and has such prospects. And
prospects is what a young woman should look to when gentlemen come
seriously inclined to matrimony--"

"Mother," said Mattie, interrupting, "I have got such a nice letter. It
has made me so happy. I know you would like to read it. You always like
to read my letters, you know." And Mattie looked playfully in her
mother's face, and handed her the letter. "You will be delighted to hear
from him. He says so many kind, good things."

Mrs. Chapman took the letter and scanned over it hastily. "And so it has
come to this, has it?" she said, looking admonishingly at Mattie. "A
letter from that sailor-boy, the son of them common Dutch people. Your
father shall see this. Our daughter has stooped so low as to pledge
herself to such a common man!"

"I love you, mother," said Mattie, "and I don't want to be disobedient;
but I love him, and I know he loves me. Yes, mother, I love Tite just as
much as if he was a rich man's son. I dreamed last night that he came
home a rich man, and brought me so many nice things; and that we were
married, and were so happy." And she threw her arms around her mother's
neck and kissed her so affectionately. "Who knows, mother, but that he
may come home rich? But even if he comes home poor, I know he will be
good and true to me," she concluded.

"How very sentimental you are, my daughter," rejoined Mrs. Chapman, the
little curls about her brow seeming to get tighter as her broad face
grew redder. "Sentimental people never prosper, though--never knew one
yet that did. Was silly and sentimental once myself. That was before I
married your father."

"Oh," rejoined Mattie, playfully, "I am real glad that you remember
those things, mother. Was father rich when you were married?"

Mrs. Chapman shook her head, and looked confused for a moment. "He was
not rich, my daughter. But then he was so clever--and had such
intellectual prospects. Brought up as you have been, my daughter, and
with such accomplishments, and such prospects!--to throw yourself away
on a sentiment. Just think of it! What would my mother have said if I
had gone off and married a man just for sentiment's sake? I brought you
up in strict regard to all the proprieties, and now you insist that you
won't be a lady."

"Don't fret so, mother," said Mattie, again putting her arms around her
mother's neck, and kissing her. "I will be a real good, obedient girl,
and do anything you bid me. But then--" Here Matti