Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-04-16
COUSIN mJ0HTsPROPRRTY
[CONcLUDED.l

DuttcTh WeTc UOt UeNTty ~ COttltOTthuto III
Portland Terrace. II 30 happened that the
very evening Of Mr.. Simpsons departure,
George Harrison had run down, In moro than
his usual joyous spirits with q little good
news Of his own for Mary. Tho long hoped
for augmentation Of his salary had como al
last. The uncle who had taken him into his
counting-house- who was his guardian,
for George had lost his iathcr-waa Q strict
man, and somewhat eccentric In his ways, but
very just.
lie had a largo family Of his own, and
though the business was extensive and lucFa.
tive, II had always been well understood that
George must entertain no expectations Of f(E'
ture partnership, an that would DO the sons
inheritance. Two Of them were clerks IN the
counting house, and their father kept them az
strictly to their desks, or rather moro strictly,
than any ono else In tho establishment. -
George Harrison might consider himself raj athcr
fortunate in occupying the position he did,
which was Independent aud respectable aud
perhaps he was even still more fortunate in
having to work his own way under eyes which
were not easily cheated or cvadel, aud where
no mercy was shown to any wilfIl neglect
lie did his best and though his uncle had
never done more than TO express himself Us
quite satisfied, he found that when fair op.
pUrtuniiy offered of advancing him, he was not
forgotten. His cousins would no doubt IN
time become members Of the firm, but they
were young; and George found himself now
promoted to vacancy which tho father knew
he was at present much better qualified to illl
II offered but very modest income TO marry
upon, certainly but Mary had no grand ideas,
and George thought that even tho Times min.
imum income for young couples would hear
reduction. At any rate he ran down to Port.
land Terrace (cager as he was, not sixpcncc
would he waste In Cab-hirc) aud rushed IL
very wet, very happy, 10 rejoice and consult
with Mary. Mrs. Simpson was IN her own
room, very busy with tho dress. maker; Au.
guSta who was q goOd.naturcd girl enough
and very fond Of her sister, and willing no
doubt to do as she would be done hy, found
she had something to look after in tho Kitchen !;
though her conscience SMOte her afterwards
for weakly allowing her feelings TO interfere
with her duty, having fully adopted her moth.
cr's views, at conference held that evening
before, that it would 10 thousand pitieS now,
when Mary might do so well, aud f6rM an un.
dcniablc connection, "to your advantage, you
know, my dear. AZ well, said the thoWghtIul
mother, "lor her to go and throw herself away
upon that young Harrison"
The coast being clear, however, Mary and
her lover had q good three. quarters or an
hour to themselves before Mrs Simpson knew
he was in the house and how much may be-
said and done in thrcc'quarterS Of an hour
judiciOuSly employed! On tho stage, a whole
petite cOm~iir, cOmprchending ut least two
pairs Of lovers aud their fortunes, Is perform.
ell within tho time in real liCo all that IL
worth remembering In tho long dull drama Of
existence, for either man or woman, is often
played out IN less, tho rest Ofit-Sc0Ics, char.
acters, and dialOGWe-might be> all cut out
without destroying tho interest, if not with
advantage TO tho lockers on. But inr the
two young hearts now beating near each other
(very near indeed Il waS) IN Mira SIMPSONS
parlOr, though without her sanction, The
grand act Of life had been played already,
long since; It was only the winding Mp Of the
piece which they had TO settle, and that was
soon done. II Nary didn't think Il too little
to live upon. why, George didn't lfGcorgc
thought they could manage, then Mary was
sure they could. In meeting 50 unanimous,
the resolution did not require much discus.
sion. The arguments arc admitted on both
sides, or rather, both sides Aru one, lr any
unpleasant sucgcstlOns-one Of the prudence
pArty-intrudCs ITSELF the course Is obvious
"turn him out" What means freedom Of
discussion on such suliects-indcCd on any
subject-cxccpt freedom to discuss Il tas much
or as little as you like! Then she told him
and vas glad she had not told him brl6rr-
Of the possibility that she might have "a little
something" too. Papa would not lot her
come to him quite penNiless now; aud some
day or other-perhaps when they MOSt want.
cd it. for their children" IN her pUrU limo.
cence she Said-he might-she was surc he
wOuld-dO all he fairly could for her Aud
George was almost angry with her for having
anything to promise him beside herself
| Three.QMaTters Of an hour was IN why Il
did not seem five minutes (AugWSta thought
the clock had stopped, for tho Kitchen tirc was
low, and Betsy was srapPish, and not 50 much
inclined for gossip a. usual; Aer young man
was waiting at the arCa stOpA which accounted
for low whistle every minute, startling Au,
gusta. DctScy said the cat had eold) ThWe.
quarters Of an hour Il was though, neither
more nor less, aud George must g0; couldn't
even stay to supper as usual no would have
more work to do now, aud there was some.
thing to DO attended to that very night; no
"had rather 90, and Mary did not ask him
to stay. So the mischief was done, aNd George
Harrison halfway home TO his humble lotv.
ingS, before Mrs. Simpson descended TO sun,
per. She was in beRigNant mood, for tho
new gowns fitted admirably, and being what
tho dress.MaIer called "MthUr jOlly"-whieh
only implies that which IN p0liier language h
called well developed prop0rti0As--Xhe was
conscious that she looked well IN black. Even
tho announcement which Mary very lnnocently
made at supper time, that George had been
there, neither spOilt her temper nor her Appe.
titc; no was gone again, that waa comfort
but she would lose no time IN having talk
with Mary. So when she had finished her
moderate glass Of rWM,aNd,water, she was moi
sorry 10 sec her younger daughter (who had
not spent satisfactory evening on tho whole,
having sat for what seemed 10 her an uMooN,
sci0nAble time In the dark with the cross Betsy
and an uneasy cOnscieneel take up her candle,
stick with yawn, and proceed 10 bed. Mary
too, had something to say, II was with S0nlS
little misgiviNg--m0Ee certainly than shC
should have iOlt fortnight AacE,-tAAt shS
told her mother Of Georges advancement, ant
how he had taken courage actually 10 aneaL
about their MARRIAGE She did not Gel Quit,
sure, when she recalled cerlAiVt hints and sid,
speeches (Alrs Simpson was great In that line
addressed during the last teW dANa rather 4
Augusta than herself about ,hSsty enRARo
Ments, aud lmprudent mAEFaaeeS aud tho dItN
Of paying due regard ta Ne station IN whlcI
people we're PLACED. WhaAAaF what sho had /,
tell would b. received quite As sha could wiaA
Whlle GeoFHe was With her, sAe had seei
no diiieOlty h the WAyl but now, alone viii
her mother, al her 10Y and confidence wcr
gone. Hut if che spoke AesitatiNRly. and an
tlcipated . somewhat colder reception Cor he
NOnAfc0i0N than hha aaoA hN h. nAan