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

tenance comically divided between dismay and
delight.
My dear Minnie, what has happened ~
exclaimed the elder sister. dropping her hair
brush and letting all the raven tresses ripple
down unhecded over b or shoulders.
1--WE won the diamond sleeve-buttOns, Oh
i've! But, oh! don't mean to. What would
papa say if he only knew it-and cousin Jack,
too?'
"Sit down. YOU wild little elf" said Olive,
gently forcing her sister into chair, land ex-
plain this mysterious riddle!"
swell, you know papa left me to look over
his letter to Dir. Thorpe; and, as he was de-
tanned longer than he expected almost an
hour in fact-and 1 couldn't help amusing my
self ~ writing parody on the letter."
"a parody?"
"Yes--vou remember somebody was telling
us what beautiful daughter Mr.. Thorne had
and had heard of Miss Thorne, and wanted to
settle in life, and all that sort of thing. In
short. wherever papa had written land, or es
tate wrote wife! Wasn't it fun?" calculated
the little maiden, her eyes dancing with dab
lerie. "But, you know, never once thought
of sending the letter; 1 only wanted to read it
to Jack when 1 went down stairs. Well, ]
signed it, with q great flourish of trumpets,
and just then who should come in but papa
and the stranger. Of course tled and when
came back the letter was sealed and safe in
Jacks pocket book, and, Olive, it was the
wrong letter."
THE wrong letter."
cit was rather dim Highland papas eyes
are not as keen as they were wont to be-and
my impertinent missivc has gone! while the
real bona fdc letter lays there, amongst a heap
of discarded papers. And hadn't the courage
to confess my misdemeanors, papa is so op.
posed to my inn cent little jokes-and Jack is
off with that indescribable letter! shall GER
tainlv win the sleeve buttons Olive but what
a tornado there will be, when my mischief
leaks OUT"
And Minnie looked so bewitchingly lovely in
her alternate paroXvsm Of terror and laughter,
that Olive grave elder sister though she was,
had not the heart to lecture her as round as she
deserved
The crimson sunset Of the very next evening
shone radiently into the special sanctum OF the
worthy old Jabez Throne, of Threneville. JUS
tice of the Peace and chairman of the agricul-
tural meetings for ten miles around. 1t was
no scholarly looking library, like that of his
ancient comrade Chester, but square light
room, with four uncurtained windows, and
Ornanented with numerous black framed en-
cravings of prize cattle and giant turnips He
was seated on leather cushioned armchair,
to find some coveted information on the subject
of "phosphites "and "super.phosphite," when
a servant brought him a card and n letter.
1.-The gentleman is in the parlOr, SIR
Jabez Throne laid aside his newspaper. and
glanced at the card which bore the simple III
ecription "John Lacy then at the letter,
which purported to be Introductory to that in
dvdual
Hum-ha-from my old college chunl,
Chester, as l live. Remarkable change in his
handwriting; but years alters us all. Haven't
heard from him in twenty years-and-hOllo +!
what is this? pretty cool request, upon my
wOrd-nephew wants wife, and has heard
that IpOSsess daughter-has lots of money
wants me to aid him with my well known ex-
pericnce in such matters. What does the rascal
mcan?" calculated Jabez, the fringe of grey
hair that surrounded his bald head standing
absolutely erect with Indignation. "I'll send
LETTERS to kick the impudent young scamp out
of the house,
But with moments reflection came calm
cess
"Well, after ALL I don't see what there is in
the matter to make me so foolishly angry.
Guess Ill see what Mary says. An excellent
family those Chestcrs-Gnd his letter is just
like Zebedee Chester-he always was singular
in his notions. Rather unlike the ordinary
method of coming to an understanding on such
matters, but'there's nothing like dash of orig
inality in this world and if the boy is rich, and
Mary don't Object. At all events I'll sec
him upon the subject"
And Jabez ThOrne thrust the letter into his
pocket and strobe dctermined'y into the parlor
where yong Lacy was quietly awaiting his
appearance. The old gentleman's face was
scarlet with embarrassment; he was half dis
posed to be angry at his guests cool selfpos-
session.
- had thought of settling in this vicinity,
Mr.. Thorne." said Jack. after the ceremonies
of greeting had been exchanged, land under
stood from my uncle that you had dcSr3 bic
piece of property that you might be disposed
to part with "
''Pece of property thought the old gen.
tleman. beginning to fire up again; but he
controlled his emotions and only answered ::
Really, sir. this is q very strange request.
One can hardly be expected to answer definite
ly upon very short notice
Certainly not, Mr. Thorne. l have no
wish to hurry you said Jack, politely; "but
am rather anxious to see for myself, and if
You would favor me with brief description
OF the prominent features Of"
But Mr. Thorne was fidgc.ing uncasily in his
chair.
What do you mean, sir?" he exclaimed
wrathfully.
Jack was rather perplexed at this cavalier
reception, but he nsTered as courteously as
possible:
Why, sir of course it is not best to be pre-
cipiiate on a matter of such importance
II 'ns Is lair specimen OF the rising gen
eration. thought the indignant JabeZ, they
are about as ignorant set of j,ckanapes as
want to see. But owe something to my long
iflehnship with old ZeMdee Chester-I won't
turn the puppy out of doors quite vet"
blindlv
What is healthy?"
Your property. Sometimes in these low
grounds diseases are apt to prevail. and"
"Does he expect my Mary has the fever and
ague?" Thought old Thorne leaping briskly
ous Of the chair as if an insect had slime him
"Ill send my daughter to you young man
that will settle the businass at once"
And before Lacy ~, could suppress his surprise
him and disappeared.
Mary Thorne's establishment was even greater
than her fathers had been. She was attired in
white muslin. with bOquet of crimson moss
rosebuds in her bosom, and a spray of the same