The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1859-11-19
From Gleason's Pictorial Battle Ship.
Mr.. PEABoDY'S FIRMNESS.
pY CAROLINE >. PRESTON.

characteristic, he was accustomed, to call
6rmness. Some of his friends were wont to
term it obstinacy. There will be such little
differences of opinion now and then. ]
don't pretend to settle the question as to
which of the two was right, but it was 3
vell-kncwn fact that If you wanted to in
duce Mr. Peabody to 60 in one direction,
you only had to advise him to go in the OPP
posite. ras.a
= Mr.. Peabody had one child, and that a
daughter Where she got her beauty from
was mystery to all who knew her father.
who was stout, red-faced old gentleman,
with turn-up nose, and very irregular fea-
lures. However, settle that question as we
may, Lucy Peabody was pretty, and there
was at least one person that knew it.
That one person was Ephraim Robertson,
Mr.. Peabody's confidential clerk. Some
how he contrived to acquaint Lucy with
his preference, and the young lady, SO far
from being displeased, actually allowed him
TO kiss her hand, which he did five or six
times, probably to make sure that it was
properly done.
After Lucy had given her consent, the
lovers began to discuss ways and means.
u OF course the first thing to be thought OF
was how the fathers consent should be OBJ
tanned to the marriage If the subject were
preached, he would be pretty sure to refuse
atonce. 5 -
"There is one way" said young Robert
son, hesitating.
"What is it?" asked Lucy, Frightening
up.
Your father is-you'll excuse me for say
ing it-a little fond of opposition"
ga little p repeated Lucy. 81 certainly
shouldn't want him any more SO. But this
is just what makes me afraid he WON'T give
his consent
Suppose, - said her lover, eve should
turn that 10 our own advantage"
"How can we 20
"We might pretend to dislike each other"
81 see."' said Lucy. clapping her hands.
"It's capital idea
"And I might make him think wanted
very much to marry Louisa Loomis.'
s=s'Perhaps you do,' said Lucy, with a
little twinge of jealousy.
% ga very poor taste l should have if ]
did" said Ephraim, emphatically.
Lucy frightened up at this, and her ap-
probation of Ephraim considerably in
creased.
Dear reader, if were not woman
would tell you that the best way to win a
woman's affections is, either to praise her,
or speak slightly of her rival. l am an
exception to this remark.
Our next scene opens at the breakfast-ta
BILE. Lucy had just poured out cup of
coffee for her father.
"How long has Ephraim Robertson been
in your employ, father %
"About five years, Lucy. Why do you
ask ?''
ST was thinking it was about time to get
somebody else"
"Why, what are you thinking of? Why
should I get any one else 90
Somebody that is more agreeable, faith
.'Why. what is the matter with him 2"
inquired her father, looking over his spec
taeles in surprise.
"Oh, I don't know, only I don't like
him.
Sand I tell you it is all silly preiu-
Dice" said Mr.. Peabody. warming little.
"There isn't finer young man in the city
than Ephraim Robertson. And as for
changing for another, you won't catch me
very soon doing any such foolish thing"
''Humph u said Lucy, Struggling her
thoulders pettishly, "I don't admire your
saste. papa"
"Perhaps," said her father, sarcastically,
ssyou can mention some one whom you
would have me employ in his place"
"There's Albert Perkins he's a per-
feet gentleman.
SIX perfect puppy ~ a
with such a beautiful moustache. and
divine whiskers." ~
call you girls think of. I tell you,"
said Mr.. Peabody, excited, ''he's brain
less idiot, and no more to be compared with
Ephraim than-than General Tom Thumb
is to General Scott
''Perhaps not" said Lucy, quietly.
IS s'I dare say you'd be glad to marry this
whiskerando," said Mr.. Peabody, saroasti
cally.
siI'd rather marry him than Ephraim
Robertson, at any rate" said the young la
DIV. pouting; s.but don't want to be mar
ried at all. A single life is much the hap
piest.
"Well % calculated Mr.. Peabody, after
Lucy had left the room, eff there was ever
an obstinate. wrong-headed girl, that Lucy
Of mine is one. Don't want to be married.
What did women come into the world for,
I'd like to know. POUNDS she shall be
married in three months. And to take such
prejudice to Ephraim,-why, there isn't
finer fellow in all the country around"
Here Mr.. Peabody. having quite finished
his breakfast, took his hat and made his
way to the counting room. He had scarce
~ entered. when young Robertson came up
to him with request for few minutes con-
versatioH.
"a few minutes? Certainly. Any
business tangle, eh ?'' said the old gentle
man.
''No sir.''
..What is it, then ? Out with it,
..The fact is, sir, wished to consult you
about a-a-s'
s.What makes the fellow stutter so 90 ex-