Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1854-02-16
CURIOUS C0URTSAIP;
THE THREE DAGUERREOTYPES.
BY NATHAN AMES.

ed. Mr. Minly, the owner OF large
aud Aourishing dry goods establishment
sat in his counting room. III one corner
Of his store, alone. Frank. his Younger
brother. and Edward Irving. his Other
clerk, were engaged in fighting broad
swords, with their yardsticks. with the
dire intent Of killing-not themselves
Su, time. Mr.. Manly sat amused and
smiling at them several minutes. until
al length, one of the yardsticks broke in
two. Then Mr.. Manly thought it was a
proper time 10 have some fun himself. in
giving them a lecture.
Boys! boys!' said he. how long will
you be boys! Well. we'll, | mean to put
a stop 10 this; 'tis time you both began
TO think Of being msn' Here's Frank,
here, twenty-five. and Ned. you're TWEEN
ty-,hree; bless me! before was as old as
that, had sovn all my wild oats, fin
ished courting. married, and become a
father. Boys. you never will be men
until you get wife; in fine. in short and
long. will not have you in my shop an
other year unless
We marry interrupted Frank. Well
that is some thing serious. that's fact.
Mitrimouy or starvation!
.Matrimony and starvation Frank, is
what you mean, said Ned.
No fooling. boys. an in earnest. con-
tinued Mr.. Manly. You are splendid
fellows, both of you. or rather might be.
but you ara too wild. too full of oats
too full, III fine. Of deviltry; and must be
bound in matrimonial bonds. or | won't
keep you any longer i'll the sore, and
that's fact! This making love proms-
cuously to every pretty girl tina, comes
In here, won't do--you must be settled
down in life. or settle up with me. You
understlndn
But, dear brother, answered Frank,
are you not aware how much you would
be the loser by the means? Don't Ned
aud do all we can 10 draw in pretty
customers? and don't we bow. and smile.
and joke and play the agreea able-and all
for you. for your agsrandizcmenr And
now. in requittal for all our kindness and
devotion. you are going to force us to
commit the suicidal crime Of matrlmony.
make it even criminal for US, in fine. TO
smile upon pretty customer; and. wei!
in my opinion. the loss of custom result
ing from the Carrying out Of such plan,
would finally result i'll ruin to-your most
respected self.
You are the most conceited chap | ev-
er saw said Mr.. Manly, smiling; 'and
mean to draw it out Of you. AS Tor
brother Frank. l want to take him in as
a partner with ma, but would as soon
take in wild mustang for partner. as
a man without wife. And you. Ned.
if you will only geta wife aud sober
down within a year. your name shall al
80 be on the frm--Minly. Brother & Co.
So you see. boys. partnership and matri-
mony, or dismissal is the fate awaiting
you. A golden opportunity if you will
but embrace it.
AS for embracing an opportunity.
said Frank, i don't bject to that, don't
know as there is anything criminal in
thai; but matrimony is different thing!
l fear your business. as said before.
would suffer; but suppose | must sub
nit. You must. however. help me to
find a partner who SHALL be so ugly that
the business will no. suffer from my want
of courtesy to pretty customers! You
certainly can do no less than that, since
you compel me to
BE happy interrupted Mr.. Manly
Yes l will engage to do the best can
for you. | know splendid girl. just
right for you or Ned. in Bosion-related
by the way to Mrs. Manly
But Ned said Frank, is not to be
competitor. of course. He's as good as
fet:eree now
And good deal better! interrupted
Ned.
To that tremendous pretty customer.
continued Frank, who trades so much
with him. saw her looking at his da-
guerreotype the other day as though she
worshipped it: and Ned stops every day
to look at hers! They hang beside each
other in the show case. just below here.
on the corner
Nothing in it! nothing in it! answer
ed Ned. That's all fiction of Franks.
he's jealous Of me. even now. he knows
that l shall cut him out!'
Fair plays jewel. boys-you both
shall have an equal chance said Mr..
Manly.
is she rich7' said Ned.
She's worth her weight in diamonds,
answered Hr. Manly.
is she young and handsome?'
Both
We'll educated and intelligent
Both
And wants husband?'
Yes, Of course