The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-03-30
DISPUTED PROPERTY,
SMITH Va. SMITH.
BY PAcL CREYroS.

very corpulent, very cautious and very |
gcad aatsred. |
John George Smith, Esq, junior il q man |
who has seen about half the number Of sum-
mers which have contributed to ripeu his !
highly respectable father; he is handsome,
slender, hot-blooded and independent.
John George Smith senior, and John
George Smith junior, are the only remaining
members Of a particular family Of Smiths
The old man is a widower: the young man
Is bachelor. The former is rich, aud the
latter is lucky enough to have the good will
of his worthy progenitor. Old Smith is
proud Of his son, and young Smith is proud
of-his fathers purse. If old John took
pleasure in accumulating handsome prop
erty, it can be said without fear of contra
diction, that young John, at the time of our
story, took no less pleasure in spending
what his father had acquired.
Both these personages were great favor
ties with the ladies. The fair creatures lik
cd the father for his quiet humor and unri-
vailed galantry, and the son for his spark
ling vic, pleasing address and handsome per-
son. Thus, strange rs it may appear, John
George, senior, and John George junior, had
cause frequently to be jealous Of each other,
in consequence Of which they at length be-
gan to move in different circles of society,
in order to have separate and undisputcd
fields of operation.
Thus, the indulgcnt father and affection
ate son seldom saw each other except at
home, and then few words passed between
them except on matters of business.
One morning, however, rs John George,
the ell der, was on the point of entering the
apartment Of John George, The younger, to
speak with him on matter of vital impor-
tance, he met the latter coming into his own
room to converse with him on an equally inn
portant subject
"Ah, John" said the old beau, taking his
sons hand with unusual affability, "how are
you this morningr'
"Tolearable," replied the young beau,
happy in finding his father in good humor;
''and I'm glad to see you looking 80 well
to-day. What's the news"
II want to talk with you. John" said the
elder Smith.
.And have no less n desire to have quiet,
serious conversation with you, beloved faith
err" returned young Smith, entering the old
mans apartment.
"On what subjectw
Marriage"
"Marriage!" echoed old John; "the very
thing l wanted to talk with you about"
"Now
"Fact"
"But you've no notion of taking wife,
father 2"
II have, by JUPITER
"By Juno, so have l !"
Il am glad of it," exclaimed old John,
warmly. "You are wild, my boy, and n wife
will tend to tame YOU"
"And you are rather gay, father, md a
companion will serve to sober you," return.
cd young John, with n sly vein of satire in
his tones.
aAnd viii YOU tell me me about yours r.
Certainly"
Old John stocked his beard in thought.
ful manner, then looked up with business
like air, and said: "In the first place must
tell you that my intended is rather young
for me-"
"There We are even" said the other, with
u smile.
"But my lady is the prettiest in town."
Il am sure mine would prove an excep-
ton"
Very beautiful, is she!''
Enchanting"
$50 is mine n
"But mine has one defect"
"What is it,"
"She is near-sghted."
"Strange coincidence! l have noticed the
same defect in my intended"
And mine is perhaps little too dark,
$50 j, mine."
"And little too tall"
Mine is tail--but nm vastly fond of tall
women"
"There was pause in the conversation,
when old John remarked to young John, with
sad smile, and something like sigh, I've
= rival"
"No!"
"l have, pom my word
"And 80 have /"
"Mine is young buck, who, although
have never seen him, is said to be quite cap.
tivating."
~And mine is an old rake, good-looking
eaough, am told, and very rich, who has
the imPudence to dispute my claim to the
hand ct my fair lady"
ABut don't fear my rival"
"Ner mine"
my intended laughs at the young buck"
And mine. am sure, despises the super
annuated old rake.
III congratulate you, John"
"Ana You have my sympathy, sir"
The name Of your rival :"
Smith,"
Strange! by rival has the honor to
bear that name, toO."
$50 It Is Smith cut Smith, this time, all
around"
Exactly"
But when do you get married, father!"
"That question is not decided yet, in my
case, John"
"Nor In mine, either"
But shall stop off as soon as my ch um-
ing Mar, Anne"
Mary Anne I"
"That's the Names"
And II Is the name of my intended too ~
Mary Anne Brown r.
Mary Ammo Brown"
"The same"
"She's my intendedl"
? "No, by Judas, she is mine n
. And John George Smith, junior, and John
George Smith, senior, looked ut each other
ss If they were the very last Of the numer-
Gus family Of Smiths, and wished to exter-
inmate each other.
,sYou arc a presumptuous fellowp cx.
claimed old John, frowning as he never