Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1856-03-27

citing up those seemingly hard, dark fea-
lres.
A stool was pushed to the new conner,
books were opened, matters explained, di-
Eections given, the pen was dipped in the
nix, and in short, before an hour had pass
Pd away, you would have thought that the
bld man and the young man had known
each other for years.
In reference to our new friend, it will be
sufficient to remark that he had been libe-
rally educated, as the phrase goes, and
though he had entered early into business,
he had not neglected the cultivation of his
mind and heart. LIE had found time to
cherish general acquaintance with the
most noteworthy authors Of the day, both
literary and religious, and with many of the
past times After few years of success in
the pursuit to which he had devoted himself
misfortunes came thick upon him. He
found himself left with scarcely any proper
ty, and alone in the world, save his lovely
daughters.
AS year after year passed away he grew
steadily in the confidence Of his employer,
who felt, though he said it not, that in him
] he possessed treasure.
Very little, indeed, was said by either of
them not connected with the routine Of btl-
siness and there had been no intercourse
whatever between them, save in the count
ing-room. Thus six years went by, towards
the close of which old Mr.. Brennan was found
looking with much frequency and earnest
ness at the young man before him. Some
thing was. evidently brewing in that old
head. What could it be And there too,
at home he looked so curiously. The Irish
servant was puzzled. Sure, said James
something's coming. Annie too, was some
what pcrplexed, for those looks dwelt much
on her.
''What was it, father % she said to him
one morning at the breakfast table, as he
sat gazing steadfastly in her face; what is
it? Do tell me-"
II wish you'd have him." burst forth
l..so avalanche. known lfi,. riA years
true as ledget-gentleman-real sensible
man-don't talk much-regular as a clock
-prime for business his weight in
gold"
'sHavc who father? What arc you talk
ing about? p
"My head clerk, Copeland-you don't
know hin-I do-havcn't seen anybody else
worth an old quill
Annie was puzzled. She laughed, how
ever, and he continued:
s'Humbug, child, all humbuG-worth
forty of your whiskercd, lounging, lazy gen
try say what they please what do [ care !?
got enough Of it, want sensible man,
want somebody to take care of it; all hum
bug"
.'What's all humbug, father =
''Why, peoples notions on these matters.
Copeland is poor-so was I once-may be
again worlds full of changes-seen great
many Of them in my days-can't stay here
long-got to leave you, Annie-wish you'd
like him. Serious, child" and nc look
ell so.
Annie was chip Of the old block-a
strong minded, resolutc girl.
Father, if you are really serious in this
matter, I'll see this Copeland I'll get ac-
ted with him. If he likes me and [ like
him, I'll have him. But he shall love me
for myself alone must know it. Will
you leave the matter to me p
''Go ahead my child, and do as you like.
Good morning"
ssStop moment, father. I shall alter
my name little [ shall appear to be a
poor girl, companion of your friend, Mrs.
Richards, in Il street she shall know
the whole affair, you shall call me by my
middle name, you shall suggest the business
( to Mr. Copeland, as you call him, and az
range for the first interview, the rest will
take care of itself"
Il see, I see, and one Of those rare
smiles Illuminated his whole face 1t ac-
tually got between his lips, parted them a.
sunder, glanced upon a set OF teeth but lit
tie the worse for wear and was resting there
when he left the house for his counting
room. The twilight of that smile was not
yet gone when he reached the well known
spot, bowed and looked good morning to
those in his employ, for old Paul, was af-
ter his fashion, a polite man. On the
morning of that day what looks were direc-
ted to our friend Charles so many, SO BE-
culiar, SO full of something, that the head
clerk could not but notice them and that to
with some alarm. What was coming? At
last the volcano burst forth.
copeland, my good fellow why don't
you get wife p
: Had thunder bolt fallen at his feet he
could not have been more astonished. Did
Mr.. Brennan say that, and in the counting
room too? The very ledger seemed to
blush at the introduction Of such a subject.
He for the first time made blot on the fair
page before him,
i say Why don't you get wife know