Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-09-25

n ow that | am alone in the world. don't YOU
think you can make up your mind to stay at
home Z"
81 haven't thought much about it. mother
| suppose | should 60 when ordered. as
matter of course ; | have nothing else TO do +"
THAT need not be a reason. There is
plenty to do without waiting Cor promotion
IN the navy till you are gray"
why mother, you know have no profess
sion, and, | suppose ! may say no money.
AT least, the Squire made no provision for
me that know of, and I'm sure you cannot
wish me TO live on your thirds"
"My son, you should have some confidence
in my advice, by this time. IT doesn't re.
quire great fortune to live comfortably
here"
Yes, but it is deuced dull IN this old town
NO theatre,-Do cOncert,-Do music at oil
but from organ. grnders,-no parties, ,-noth-
ing, IN fact, but prayer-meetipgs from one
weeks end to another. l should die of the
blues here"
"Only find something to do, settle yourself
into pleasant home, and you'll forget your
uneasiness."
That's very well to say"-
"And very easy to do. But it isn't the
way to begin by flirting with every pretty.
foolish girl you see. Oh, Hugh you are all
have now to love. | shall grow old soon
and l want to lean upon you. Give up the
navy be advised by me-"
Hugh whstled softly. He did not suppose
that his mother knew Of his galantry. He
was amused at her sharp observation
80 you think I'm u flirt, mother ?" said
he. You are out, entirely. I'm q pattern
OF propriety-at home !"
You need not tell me, Hugh | know
more than you think But l didn't know
that son of mine could be SO simple as |
find you are"
"Shes after me-" thought Hugh. "She
saw me, surely"
Ills mother went on.
with such an opportunity as you have TO
get yourself II wife Don't laugh! | want
to see You married, for you will never sow
your wild oats until you are. With such
chance as you have"--
why, mother" broke in Hugh, ''t isn't so
bad as that"
Isn't so bad? What do you mean?"
"N ny, Y0u know what you're driving at
and so do |. Lucy is good girl enough
but never meant anything serious. There's
no need of my marrying her"
Nv hat are you talking nbout?"
NOW, mother, what's the use2 You are
only trying to read me moral lecture, be-
cause gave Lucy harmless smack"
Lucy Ransom !" repeated Mrs. Kinloch,
with inetfabe scOrn. Lucy Ransom hope
my son isn't low enough to daily with a
house maid, a scullIon If had seen such q
spectacle, should have kept my mouth shut
for shame. a guilty conscience needs no
accuser;' but | am sorry you had not pride
enough to keep your disgusting fooleries to
yourself"
"Regularly sold !" muttered Hugh, as he
beat a rat-tat-too on the window pane
81 gave you credit for more penetration.
Hugh. Now, just look a minute What
would you think of the shrewdness Of q young
man, who had no special turn for business,
but great fondness for taking his ease,-
with no money nor prospect Of any,-and
who, when he had the opportunity to step at
once into fortune and position, made no
movement to secure it -
well, the application ?"
"'The fortune may be yours, If you will"
Don't tell me in riddles. Show NE the
prize, and l'm after it,"
"But it has an incumbrGnce."
"Well ?"
"A pretty. aTtless, affectionate little wo,
man, who will make you the best wife in the
world"
splendid, by Jove ! Who is she ?"
You needn't look far. We generally miss
seeing the thing that is under our nose"
why, mother, there isn't an heiress in In.
! nisfield except my sister Mildred"
mildred is not your sister. You are no
more to each other than the two farthest
persons on earth"
True enough Well mother, you are an
old un!"
"Don't with look OF disgust,-"don't
use your sailor slang here TO see that
doesn't require any particular shrewdneSs.
"But Mildred never liked me much She
always ran from me, like the kitten from old
Bose. She has always looked as though she
thought ! would bite, and that it was best
she should keep out of reach under chair. -
ANY young man Of good address and fair
intelligence can make an impression on a girl
of eighteen, if he has the WILL the time, aud
the opportunity. You have everything in
your favor, and if you dout take the fortune
that lies right in your path, you deserve to
go TO the poor house"
Hugh meditated. >,
Good morning" said Mrs. kinloch. you
know the horse aud carriage, or the saddle.
ponies, are always yours when you want to
use them"
Great discoveries seem always so simple,
that we wonder they were not made from the
first. The highest truths are linked with the
commOnest objects and events Of daily life.
Hugh looked about him as much astonished
as though he had been shown o gold mine iu
old Quobbin, where he could dig for the ask
ing. What determination he made, the
course Of our story will show.
tn RE CONTINI-ED