But how could they have foreseen her extraordinary taste?
He, however, roused himself for a last appeal.
"Mrs.Martin," he said in a lower voice, "I ought to tell you that the Reverend Mr.Peaseley strongly doubts the competency of that young man." "Didn't Mr.Barstow make a selection at your request ?" asked Mrs.
Martin, with a faint little nervous cough.
"Yes--but"-- "Then his competency only concerns ME--and I don't see what Mr.Peaseley has to say about it." Could he believe his senses?
There was a decided flush in the woman's pale face, and the first note of independence and asperity in her voice.
That night, in the privacy of his conjugal chamber, Mr.Sperry relieved his mind to another of the enigmatical sex,--the stout Southwestern partner of his joys and troubles.

But the result was equally unsatisfactory.

"Well, Abner," said the lady, "I never could see, for all your men's praises of Mrs.Martin, what that feller can see in HER to like!".