Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1864-07-19

! from ! pretty impression 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 a very fine looking fellow, aud rich
/ into the bargain. Go in and talk to him a
/ little while, that's good girl, can't
/ stand it moment longer
/ Aud old Jabez wiped his forehead, on
! which the pei spiraton was standing in big
! beads. Mary burst into an uncomfortable
/ fit of laughter.
The whole affair is go ridiculous = she
! excisimed.
But she adjusted the moss roses, new
ertheless, and tripped demurely iatc the
I 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 7rided himself, it
was his decided old bacheIorism. Imag-
inc his vexation and dismay, therefore,
when, after a formal Introduction. old
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, aud evincsd an exceed
inglv great disposition to laugh.
Well thought poor Jack, the man.
nors and customs Of this locality are rath-
er odd, to say the least Of it. l came Ia
consult an old gentleman about purchasing
land of him, and he bounces Out Of the
room and sends in his daughter. What
on earth am l TO say to her. | would like to
know
And Mary, glancing shily in the direc-
ton OF her companion, came to the con-
clusiOO that he had beautiful spanish eyes'
aud moustache decidedly superior in
style TO the hirsute adornments of the
young gentleman of Thorueviis.
Mr. Lacy looked up at the ceiling end
down ut the carpet, and wondered what
the consequences would be were be to es-
cape ncon;nently through the open French
window. That would not be a very diCni
fled proceeding, however. so he resigned
himself to destiny by making some origi-
nal remark on the weather. 1t had the
desired effect Of breaking the ice, however,
end he was greatly surprised at the arch
viVacity OF Miss ThorEe. Oaly once did
she seem confused it was when she Lad
been describing fine grove of cedars that
belonged to her fathers land, regretting at
the same time that he contemplated the
sale Of it.
i believe / should like to become the
purchaser said Jack. Your fatber has
told you that had some Idea OF settling
here
Mary grew scarlet, and murmured some
incoherent sentence or other. the conversa.
ton was efectuaiIy checked and Jack,
perplexed at the effect, for which he could
perceive no visible cause, rose to take
leave.
Will you mention to your father. Miss
ThOrne, that | shall call 10 see him about
this matter to morrow morning?' he ask
ed
Ailtae moss roses in Mr.. Thorne's rose
garden could never have equaed the hot
glow on Mary's cheeks, she fled out of
the room without word Of reply.
Very singular family, this muttered
Jack, slowly drawing on his gloves, and
walking down the broad path But sh is
a. uncommonly pretty girl, and l shall
certainly take an early walk through that
grove of cedars tomorrow morning, before
UreaktasU'
lie dreamed of blue-eyed Mary Thorne.
that night. aud rose feeling decidedly
pleased that he should have reasonable
excuse FOR calling at her fathers h use 90
soon.
4 certainly can't be in love- quoth he,
mentally. But how Minnie would tease
me If She thought | was in any danger Of
sueiug tor not ouly farm but a wife.
Old Jabez Thorne was busily engaged
uippirg the dead leaves of his pet IanrUs-
tiuas with gigantic pair of garden scis-
sors, that morning. when young Lacy
sprang over the hedge aud saluted him
with ii buOyant
Good morning! Well, SIR be went on.
Gaily, i have seen the property, and am
perfectly delighted. A fine healthy invest.
mont-no disease about it, I'm convinc-
ed
Hum ? said Mr. Thorne, obviously.
And l would like to take a second, and
more thorough inspection iu your society,
sir, if you please
Really, Mr.. Lacy said the old man
sharply, my daughter has not yet come
dUwn stairs, and
What The mischief has his daughter to
do with the matter thought Lacy, but he
said:
of course I will await any time that
may be convGuient to you. sir. | observed
great deal ct native roughn ess. but can
not doLot that there is very great suscepti-
bility Of improvement. a little iudic,ous
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 orch biunder, and no hastened to
say:
In short, sir | am now determined to
secure this rural gem at any price. What
is the sum you demaud p
Mr. ThOrne fairly sat down on the grav-
ell walk. overpowered with the avalanche
OF wrath which bs found impossible to
shape into words.
'UYon-my-wOrd-sir = he began, won
talk az 1t this were mere matter of busi-
ness =
jack was puzzled enough. 1t is the
way in which | have always heretofore
been accustomed to treat such affairs
sir
'Heretotore-you have been accustomed,
And pray, sir, how many such little af-
iairs have you had on your hands p
shrItked old Thorne, growing purple in
the face.
Oh, several, sir. l am not so inexpe-
smiling.
And YOU gre not asbamod 20 oo,ro,o
itT - ''"''
No; why should be L
1s out VI my garden, you young repro.
Gate screamed Jabez, leaping up with
lightning rapidity. TO come here ADD Of
Ter 10 ony my daughter, as if she were
patch of potatoes = Go, | saw
Your daughter, Mr.. Thorne?'
es' my daughter, you jack a dandy
bqt m not bargaining for your daugh-
ter; I'm bargaining for that land across
the river
DONE tel me, calculated Mr. Thorue,
tugglng at the fasteniugs of his pocket
book, your upcle's letter has informed me
OF your atrOcious Intention
Will you allow me to see the letter,
sir p
Thorne ierked il ont If the connartment