Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1864-06-02
The whole affair is so ridiculous ST

/ exclaimed.
| But she adjusted the mossroses, never
theless, and tripped demurely into the
/ parlor. as
| Now if there was a 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 prided himself it was
his decided old bachelorism. Imagine his
vexaton and dismay, therefor, when, after
formal introduction, old Mr.. Thorne with
drew leaving him tete-a-tete with the pref
| tv creature in white muslin and roses. 1t
/, was embarrassing enough, particularly,
as Mary .blushed every time he looked at
her, and evinced an exceeding great dis.
position to laugh.
"Well," thought Jack, "the manners
and customs of this locality are rather
odd, to say the least of it. | come to con-
suit an old gentleman aboutpurchasing land
of him and he bounces out of the room, and
sends in his daughter. What on earth am
l to say to her, I'd like toknow."
And Mary, glancing silly in the direction
of her companion, came to the conclusion
that he had beautiful Spanish eyes," and
moustache decidedly superior in style
to the hirsute adornments of the young
gentlemen of Thorneville. aa@5
Mr.. Lacy looked up at the cealing and
down at the carpet, and wondering what
the consequences would be were he to es-
cape Immediately through the open French
window. That would not be "a very digni-
fled proceeding, however, SO he resigned
himselfto destiny by making some original
remark on the weather. 1t had the much
desired effect of breaking the ice, however,
and he was agreeably surprised with the
arch viyacity of Miss Thorne. Only once
did she seem confused it was when she
had been describing fine grove Of ceders
that belonged to her fathers land, regret
ting at the same time that he contemplated
the sale of it.
81 believe should like to become the
purchaser" said Jack. 'Your father has
told you that have some intention of set
tling here %
Mary grew scarlet and murmured some
incoherent sentence or other, the converse
ton was effcctually checked, and Jack,
perplexed at the effect, for which he could
perceive no visible cause, rose to take
leave. 5
Will you mention to your father, Miss
Thorne, that shall call to see him about
this matter tomorrow morning." he asked.
All the moss-roses in Mr. Thornes's rose
garden could never have rivalled the hot
glow on Mary's cheeks as she fled out
of the room without saying a word.
"Very singular family this,'' muttered
Jack, slowly drawing on his gloves and
walking down the broad garden path.
, "But she is an uncommonly pretty girl
, and shall certainly take an early walk
through the grove Of cedars tomorrow
morning before breakfast"
t He dreamed of blue-eyed Mary Thorne
, that night, and rose feeling decidedly
pleased that he should have reasonable
excuse for calling at her fathers house
so soon.
:, 81 certainly can't be in love r' quoth, he,
mentally "But how Minnie would tease
me if she thought was in danger Of suing
; for not only farm but a wife!''
Old Jabez Thorne was busily engaged
nipping the dead leaves off his pet
, laurustinus with a gigantic pair Of garden
scissors, that morning, when young Lacy
sprang over the hedge and saluted him
with buoyant
| "Good morning Well, sir, he went
on gaily, ~ have seen the property, and
am perfectly delighted A fine, healthy
; inyestment-no disease about it, I'm con-
vinced"
Henri said Mr.. Thorne, obviously.
} "And I would like to take second,
more thorough inspection in your society,
sir, if you please" IIifhahi
"Really, Mr.. Lacy" said the old man,
sharply, my daughter has not yet come
} down stairs, and
What the mischief has your daughter
to do with the matter p thought Lacy, but
he politely said
"Of course will await any time that
may be convenient to you, sir. Iobserved
a good deal of native roughness, but can
not doubt that there is very great suscepti-
bility to improvement A 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 fastened to say
g In short, sir, am determined to secure
this rural Gem at any price. What is the
sum you demand ~
Mr.. Thorne fairly sat down on the gravel
walk, overpowered with the avalanche