The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-06-03
SAINT PAUL. FRIDAY. JUNE 3. 1864,

| exquisite flowers in her hair for some rural
| party or picnic, and at first absolutely refused
! to enter the parlor.
| "What an idea !" she exclaimed, blushing to
| the very tips of those tiny shell-like ears. ITO
be put upon exhibition like one OF your prize
cattle No, indeed! Let the young man go
back where he came from! A pretty impress
sion he must have of the ladies in this quarter
of the globe!"
But my love, Zebedee Chester is one of
my Oldest friends, and the young man is really
very fine looking fellow and rich into the bar
| gain. Go in and talk to him little while,
there's a good girl. I can't stand it minute
| longer"
And old Jabez wiped his forehead, on which
| the perspiration was standing in big beads.
Mary burst into an uncomfortable fit of laugh
ter.
1.-THE whole affair is so ridiculous :" she ex-
| claimed.
But she adjusted the moss roses, neverthe-
less. and tripped denurely into the parlor.
| Now if there was determined point in Jack
Lacy's character, it was his aversion to women
in general; and if there was any one thing on
which he pridcd himself it was his decided old
bachelorism. Imagine his vexation and dis
may, therefore, when after formal introduce
ton, old Mr.. Thorne withdrew, leaving him
| tete-a-tete with the pretty creature in white
| muslin and roses. 1t was embarrassing enough
particularly as Mary blushed every time he
looked at her, and evinced great disposition
| to laugh.
"Wel," thought Jack, "the manners and
cumstoms of this locality are rather odd, to say
| the least of it. come to consult an old gen.
| tleman about purchasing land of him, and he
bOunces out of the room and sends in his
! daughter. What on earth am to say to ner,
| I'd like to know"
And Mary, glancing shyly in the direction of
IN f1,n oil f1,oth
| had beautiful Spanish eyes, and mOustache
decidedly superior In style to the hirsute
adornments Of the young gentlemen of Thorne-
vile.
Mr.. Lacy looked up at the ceiling and down
! at the carpet and wondered what the cOnse-
quences would be were he to escape inconti.
| nently through the open French window. That
would not be a very dignied proceeding, how
ever, SO he resigned himself to destiny by max
| ing some original remark on the weather. 1t
had the much desired effect of breaking the
ice, however, and he was greatly surprised with
the arch vivacitv of Miss Thorne. Only once
did che seem confused it was when she had
been describing fine grove of cedars that be-
| longed to her fathers land, regretting at the
same time that he contemplated the sale of it.
II believe l should like to become the pur-
chaser" said Jack. Your father has told
you that had some idea of settling here
| Mary grew scarlet, and murmurcd some in
was effectually checked and Jack, perpeXed
at the effect, for which he could perceive no
visible cause, rose to take leave.
| Twill you mention to your father Miss
Throne that shall call to see him about this
matter tomorrow morning." he askad.
| All the moss roses in Mr.. Thrones rose gar
den could never have rivaled the hot glow on
| Mary's cheeks, as she fled out of the room
| without word of reply.
| Every singular family, this, "muttered Jack,
slowly drawing on his gloves, and walking
down the broad path. but she is an unconl-
monty pretty girl, and l shall certainly take an
early walk through the grove of cedars to-mor-
row morning before breakfast"
| He dreamed of bluc-eyed Mary Throne that
night. and he rose feeling decidedly pleased
that he should have a reasonable excuse for
calling at her fathers house so soon.
Il certainly can't be in love-" quoth he,
mentally. But how Minnie would tease me if
she thought was in any danger of sueing for
not only farm but wife"
| Old Jabez ThOrnc was busily engaged nip
ping the dead leaves of his pet laurustinas with
gigantic pair of garden scissors, that morn
ing, when young Lacy spranG over the hedge
and saluted him with bayonet.
GOOD morning! Well, sir" he went on,
gaiy. II have seen the property, am perfect
lv delighted. A fine, healthy investment--no
disease about it. I'm convinced"
| Hum" said Mr. ThOne, obviously.
And I would like to take second, and
more thorough inspection in your society, sir,
| if you please
Really. Mr.. Lacy" said the old man, sharp
ly, my daughter has not yet come down
! stairs. and"
"What the mischief has his daughter to do
| with the matter, thought Lacy, but he said:
"Of course will await any time that NAV
| be convenient to yOu, sir. l observed a good
deal of native rOughness, but l cannot doubt
that there is very great susceptibility to inn
provement little judicious cultivation will
accomplish wonders
Let me tell YOU, young man. began Mr..
Thorne, in towering rage. but Lacy saw that
| he had uncOnsciOusly committed some arch
blunder, and he fastened to say:
In short, sir am mo-. determined to Sc
cure this rural gem at any price. What is the
sum you demand? ?"
Mr.. Thorne fairly sat down upon the gravel
walk Overpowered with the avalanche of wrath
| which he found impossible to shape into words
"Upon-my-wOrd- he began, you
talk as if this were mere matter of business"
Jack was puzzled enough. at is the way
in which have always heretofore been aceus-
toned to treat such affairs, SIR.
"Heretofore-yOu have been accustomed!
have you had on your hands?" shrieked old
Thorne, growing purple in the foce.
"Oh, several, sir. l am not so ineXperi-
enccd as you suppose" replied Jack, smiling.
And you are not ashamed to confess it 2"
No; why should be?"
Get out Ofmy garden, you young repro
bate! !" screamed Jabez, leaping up with light
ming rapidity. ITO come here and offer to
buy my daughter, as if che were patch of po-
tatoes! Go, say!"
"Your daughter, Mr.. Thorne!"
Yes my daughter, you jack-a dandy
" But I'm not bargaining for yonr daughter;
I'm bargaining for that land across the river"
Don't tell me-" CALCULATED Mr.. Thorne, tug
ging away at the fastenings of his pocket-book;
your uncle's letter has informed me of your
atrocious intention"
"Wil YOU a'lOw me to see the letter. eir?"
ThOrne lerked 1t out of the compartment where it
! lay aud tossed it angriy towards Lay He opened
it, and in spite Of his annoyance and modification,