The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1859-06-24

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of some forty years, "bonds Of yours,
resulting from our schemes and spec.
ulations, which are sufficient to more
than cover the value Of the property
YOU own. Now sir, another man,
with less heart, might feel disposed to
distress you, Mr.. Lcmorn, particularly
at time like this, when the scarcity
of money leads men to do even dcs.
poratc things to obtain it for their reg.
uIar business affairs. But am not Il
man Of that kind, Mr.. Lcmorn; aud
YOU are old, and have wife and
lovely daughter to support; and have
"a friendly feeling for you, growing out
OF our long association aforesaid, as
hope you know, Very well, then
Now ahcm!-MIr. Lcmorn, | am II
plain, matter-oi,lact business man, as
you know; and, being a bachelor, am
not much acquainted with the honey,
ed terms and graceful circumlocutions
which rnay be proper in approaching
u subject Of this kind; but the sum
total Of it is, that wish to marry
your dau4 htcr, Flora '
The aStonjShmcnt Of Mr.. Lcmorn
was undi>guisrd at this announce
mcnt; and Lurkcr at Once saw. by the
play Of the aged fathers features
/ that the surprise was not greater than
/ his disgust and horror, as he cjacula.
ted, with II stare as he drew back
| Great Heaven! my daughter =
| Marry her"
/ Lurkcr was djspIeasrd; but he smjl'
ed, and kept calm, as he proceeded t'
prefer his suit.
"Ycs; marry her Why not!
suppose am old enough TO be hcl
father; but am still young enough,
think, to be her husband; and, for
that matter i don't wish to hurt youl
/ feelings. Sir--but am much better
able to take care other than her faith.
cr, just now Now don't look hurt
nor think intend anything but goo,
and kindness. On the contrary,
wish to preserve your declining year,
from the shAmcs and vcXations o
poverty. Give me your daughter, anc
| will give you back all the the bond,
| hold against you. This will give
you ample means for the rest OF you
life; your wife, who is now old anc
iulirm, will still have the IuXuricS anC
comforts Of life to which she has al
ways been used; and your daughtc
will be married to u wealthy man, o
steady habits and fixed principles, wh'
will take much better care Of her thai
any Of the young whipper-Sappcr
whom She might prefer, as being near
er her own age. What say you?'
Il lrar,' said Lcmorn, with IA ghast
look, "ihat it woud-it would be i'm
practicabIc.'
And wby!'
81 could not make a sacrifice of IN,
/ daughter for my own selfish bcnciit
and ! think she could not marry TN
less she IoycdI'
LAS she any lovcr!'
"Nonc that | am aware og.'
"Thcn. why not!' persisted the un
abashcd Lurker, with u maIiciou
trcmb'e in his cold eyes. Could sho
not be persuaded into match whicI
would result in SO much good to lie
parents"
Il will ask her" sighed Lcm9rr
after a long and painful pause; ant
rising, with look Of deepest sorrow
.hr bowed, and took his leave.
Such was the interview upon whlcI
the old man muscd on the ensuin;
day. when hc told his wife and daugh
ter the state Of affairs; and whel
Flora expressed her willingness to d
anything in her power toretrleve thel
condition, her father felt the more re
luctance to tell her Of job Lurker'
proposal.
"Povcriy is slavery, it is true,
thought he; "but not so bitter, wher
it is borne with free heart; an
how can ! purchase wealth by til
sacrifice of 50 flal child. Yet
will tell them, at least And he di
so.
The mothers painful emotion wa
evinced by the continued terror whic
shook her aged frame, as she wei
forward and listened; while Flor;
calm, but pale as marble, grasped he
fathers arm firmly, and bent her sa'
blue eyes upon his trembling lips, Il
hc told her all.
I'm willing" she replied deci'
lively.
= But you do not, cannot love hin