The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-02-09
D N Gle BILL,

|
| UNCLE BILL GRIFFIN, or Uncle Bill. as
| he was commonly called, with an irrever-
lent disregard Of his patronymic, did moi
retire from the ship chandlery business ill
he was worth something more than a plum.
| Not being blessed with son to continue
his name and inherit his fortune, he law
lished all his tenderness and all his care
upon his daughter. Sweet Molly Griffin,
thou vert as unlike thy papa as capary
bird is unlike q bulldog. Hisface was as
hard as, a Dutch nut-cracker--thine as
soft as q rose leaf He was the veriest
miser in all ,creation--thou didst spend
Ithy pocket money as a prince of Wales.
In his household management Uncle Bill
was, a consummate skin -fint-tradition
says that he used to soak the back logs in
the cistern, and waterthe lamp oil, and he
was aided and abeited in all hisniggardly
schemes by vinegar faced housekeeper,
who was the sworn enemy Of all good
cheer. and stinted from a pure love. oi
meanness. Yet pretty Mary had no rea-
son to complain of her fathers penurious-
ness, as arias'shet was concerned: :. He
sent her 10 the best schools. and gave her
a carte blanche on the most expensive
milliners, and when hewalked Washing
ton fstreeton a'sunny day, there was not
a more gaily dressed damsel from Corr
Ihill to Essex streets. R'c'fe 't'""' .'"
l1e OF course, several nice young men in
vanished leather white kids. fell over head
and ears in love with her. and there was a
larger number collected outside Of the
meeting she attended on Sunday than
darkened the door Of any other metropo.
li,aii church. 'e3'a s't,n - III. .,
Yet cold was the maid, and tho legions
advanced. !, ,or6 'asua .sM
All drilled in Ovedan art. .,qns4 -M
Though they languished and ogled, pro-
-, tested and danced, n -.a asyaii
Like shadows they came, and like shadows
they glanced, aF a9a s6l
From the pure polished ice of her heart.
Besides, Uncle Bill was formidable
guardian to his attractive daughter. Did
he not fire alcharge Of rock salt into the
inexpressibles of Tom Blkins when he
came serenading! with cracked guitar?
Didn't he threaten to kick Towle for leav-
ling a valentine at his door2 Wasn't he
capable gof unheard-of atrocities? The
suitors Of pretty Mary were all frightened
of, the course by her ogre OF a father, ex,
cept steady young fellow who rejoiced
in the name of Sampson Bittles, and who
was addicted to bookkeeping in whole
sale grocery store in Commercial street.
The old gentleman really liked Bittles; he
was, so staid. so quiet, and 50 full Of in
formation! He was regular price cur
rent. and no man on change was better
acquainted with the price Of stocks Why
Mary liked him, Ill is more difficult to con-.
lecture, forrhe was very deficient in the
small talk that ladies are so fond of, was
averse to moustaches, disliked the operas
thought the balletimmoral, and considered
waltzing indelicate. Perhaps his good
looks compensated for other deficiencies,
or perhaps the horrors ofsdying in a state
of single blessediess. induced her to coun-f
tenance the only young man Uncle Bill
was ever known to tolerate. aa ~ ie.'ae
One evening Bittles screwded up his
courage to the task of addressing the old
man onethe subject nearest to his heart
r'.Mr.r Griffin" said he, 'i've had some.
thing here for a long tiine," and he made
up horrible face, and placed his hand
somewhat near his heart.
"Dyspepsia2'' said the old man.
"Your daughter" gasped the young
one.s eaa., b9lffiqh gnisd@letii bon .g'-d35
swell. what about her?' asked Uncle
Bill sharpishly. h1agP1 81 ao&ia*93 81 I z
s"Rm in love with HERTZ said the unhap-'
|py clerk. ,qt oslo
"Humbugp' said Uncle Bill.f9oQ 1m
csFactl,,'h rejoined Bitlles 20 efli 70 ief
.What's your income?' inquired Grifins
"Eighthundred, answered the isupplIai
cant.ogiseq ssW i9abios adi asda .lodh I'd
at won't do my boy,'i said Griffin,
shaking bis grim locks tNo man onIa
salary shall marry my daughter. Why
she's the finest girlin Boston, and it takes
capital to marryaa fine girlgg'When you
have thirty thousand dollars to begin with
yousmay, come and talk with me. "snill9sg
,Bittlesa disappearedip Six months after
that Miss Mary Grifinareceived a letter,
with an endorsement Of Uncle Sam, ac-l
knowledging the receipt tof forty cents. IL
IRAN thusagd d Que .G61 3ls 4 ags -aoil9u1'
se5"sAs FnAsclsco, California, 1880
Dearest Mqry7ussI ss8alI atl-.aae;l
Enelossds you will 6ndra specimen Of
California gold. which please hand your
father and oblige. Have TO advise you
|ofimy returnlto Boston. Please tell your
Efather that Lhaye made fifty thousand dol.
lars at t,the 2mines. and shall, wind and
weather permitting. soon call,upon' him to-
|talkIover that mailer. and arrange terms
ofgpartnership aa, mer b9lreqal ssF easng
Yours TO command. sssfllissl
\ kEsisiiS .ssl,s smss SAMPSON BprrLEs.nh
Mary, as in duty bound. handed tks
.