Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-10-31
SOARING OFF A RIVAL.
BIZ HELEN +. GRAVES.


E SOARING OFF A RIVAL.
BIZ HELEN +. GRAVES.
The bright November sunshine flowed like
golden Niagara into the pretty room, thro'
easement full of blossoming geraniums and
pnrple-massed helliotrope-and very sensi-
ble piece Of sunshine it was, for it might have
sought long and far for another such cozy a.
partment. There were pink glowing shells,
brought from some tropic beach, on the man.
tel, and moss baskets on the tables, and an o.
pen piano in the corner, and such blue-eyed,
coral.monthed young damsel, sitting on the
rug before the fire, arranging roSe-b buds and
white verbenas in the smallest of all china va
ses. And Mrs. Waters, sitting opposite in her
large easy chair, with an array of work baskets
around her, looked down on the smooth brown
curls and fair forehead of Nays beauty.
sYou are looking very pretty, tonight,
May" said she, approvingly, 81 shouldn't won-
der 1t Mr.. Moss were to call this EVENING"
"I hope not, said May .twitching one pear
ly shoulder half out its delicate little lace frll
and swapping off the Lead of an unfortunate
crimson rosebud.
s'Now, May, don't be silly, when you know
how delighted your father is with his atten-
tions. Only think you could keep your car
riage, and live on Fifth Avenue, my dear.
see how it is-you are thinking of Charley
Copeland, but it's OF no use. Charley did very
well when you had no other string to your
bow ,but Mr.. Moss has u thousand dollars where
Charley has cent. Young folks shouldn't
b let romance stand in the way of solid common
sense, my child"
Mrs. Waters paused here, to concentrate her
attention on the threading of a needle and
May sweeping her flowers into the fire, re-
placed the half arranged vase on the piano,
and glided out OF the room with bright dew
shining on her blue lustrous eyes. She had a
''real good cry,' when she got to her own
room, with no witnesses but the red glowing
fire and the golden winged canary bird, and
that certainly was relief, to say nothing of
the sly little note she wrote to Charley to tell
him all her troubles.
"fou needn't put on any more Goals, Bet
ty," said Mr.. Moss to his housekeeper, ssit's
only waste of fuel. And Betty, don't light
the gas so high in the hall /; people must look
after their pennies if they don't expect to go
to the poor-house. Oh, dear,'' he muttered,
as Betty fiounced out of the room grumblng
to herself, "what a wasteful race these SER
wants are. She'll ruin me yet with her extrav-
agance, if don't get wife pretty soon. That
bluc-eyed little May-she's the girl for my
money, and l really ought to have wife to
help save. 1t can't be very expensive TO get
married, and we can live very cheaply after
ward. OF course she'd mend all my old coats
and stockings, and see that everything was E.
conomized. and could do without that ex-
lighted candle down stairs already, and it
isn't half dark enough! Dear me, dear me-
and there go the Goals. bang, on to the kitchen
range-and she has given the cat piece of
good meat, an inch square, when the cold po-
tato-skins would have done just as we'll.
mnst have a wife-and, besides little May is so
pretty"
The elderly lover chuckled within himself
as he took up his cane to go out to escape the
awful Witnessing of Betty's hourly wasteful-
ness. His money could buy lovely young
wife, it people did call him mser.
He had not proceeded far, however, in the
gathering darkness, when it began to rain
brisky, just as he was opposite the law office
of Mr. Charles Copeland. Now, Mr.. Moss had
a chronic dislike to all young and good looking
men but he had once been introduced to
Charley, and it was against his principles Ell
ther TO buy an umbrella, or take refuge in a
stage at the expense of sixpence, so he dodg-
I'd into the Office with great precipitancy.
''Good evening, Mr.. Copeland-I had not
seen you for so long that I thought must
come in. Hope you're we'll 2''
Charley looked comicaliy into the old gen.
tleman's withered countenance as though he
much doubted whether the rain hadn't as
much to do with his affectionate solicitude as
anything else but he politely pushed forward
chair, and slipped Mays note, which he had
Just finished perusing, under pile of law pa
pers.
''Sit down, Mr.. Moss. / hear you are think
ing of getting married." said he, good hu-
moredly.
swell, yes;'' said old Moss. spreading his
lean fingers over the CRATE and secretly won
oering at Cbarley's extravaganza in keeping
up such roaring fire. ssI was thinking a lit
.Ie OF Offering myself to that pretty May Wa
iels; You know her, don't you ?''
1es," said Charley, wincing.
don1t suppose it will be any more expen- |
sEe .o&eep two than one, will it ?'' observed |
.he old gentleman little uneasily, as though |
ihe question still bothered him.
~, no." said Charley, in an off-hand way. |
III course you'll have to take hel to Newport |
or Saratoga every year, but that Won't be |
.nuch-a thousand or two dollars viii cover |
sne annual expense entirely--and she'll expect |
her hsr oox at tie opera, and her carriage, and |
will viii ua,ls and parties; but you are SO rich Won
NJ n.ser teei the outlay.'
ed Moss sat upright and instinctiye,v clam.
.Im "o'u On either pocket.
claimed couldn't possibly afford ity be
"To |. "She will not expect il. will she IS IS
pepsivs oe sure-all women do. Thev are o.
,uAuries, Mr.. Moss. You will Of