The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-06-03
SAINT PAUL. FRIDAY. JUNE s, 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 a little while,
there's good girl. I can't stand tia minute
longer" r-- t.-r.-- --.,,-, c-,.,... :.
And old Jabez wiped his forehead, on which
the perspiration was standing in big beads.
Mary burst into an uncomfortable fit Of laugh
ter. ...f.. ... .e- l-.
"The whole affair is so ridiculous !" she ex-
claimed. ..., +, o." ~.
But she adjusted the moss roses, neverthe-
less and tripped denurely into the parlor.
Now if there was a determined point in Jack
Lacys 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 vexation and dis
may, therefore, when after formal introduc-
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.
"Weli.n thought Jack, "the manners and
cumstoms of this locality are rather odd, to say
the least of 1t. 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 her,
I'd like to know"
And Mary. glancing shyly in the direction of
her companion. came to the conclusion that he
had beautiful Spanish eyes, "and q moustache
decidedly superior In style to the hlrsute
adornments Of the young gentlemen of Thorne-
ville
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 very dignified proceeding how
ever so he resigned himself to destiny by MAX
ing some original remark on the weather. It
had the much desired effect of breaking the
ice, however, and he was greatly surprised with
the arch vivacity of Miss ThOrne. Only once
did she 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.
chaser" said Jack. "Your father has told
you that had some idea of settling here.
Mary grew scarlet, and murmured some in
coherent sentence or other, the c0nEersation
was effectually checked, and Jack, perpleXed
at the effect, for which he could perceive no
visible cause, rose to take leave.
"Wil you mention to your father, Miss
Throne, that shall call to see him about this
matter tomorrow morning?" he asked.
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 uncom.
early walk through the grove of cedars to-mor-
row morning before breakfast"
He dreamed of blue-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.
II 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 Thorne was busily engaged nip
ping the dead leaves of his pet laurustinas with
a gigantic pair of garden scissors that morn
ing, when young Lacy sprang over the hedge
and saluted him with a bayonet.
GOOD morning! Well, sir" he went on,
" delighted A fine, healthy inyestmentNno
disease about it, I'm convinced"
Hum :" said Mr.. ThOrne, obviously.
And l would like to take a 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 con nrse will await any time that may
be convenient to yOu, sir. observed a good
deal of native roughness, but / cannot doubt
that there is very great susceptibility to i'm
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, I am no." 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-si he began, = you
talk as if this were mere matter of business!"
Jack was puzzled enough. "It is the way
in which have always heretofore been aceus-
toned to treat such affairs, SIR.
Heretofore-yOu have been accustomed!
And pray, sir, how many such little affairs
no'O yOu udu vi YOUR uauuS9 SuTlchcu OiU
Thorne, growing purple in the foce.
"Oh, several, sir. l am not SO inexperi-
enced as you suppose" replied Jack, smiling.
And you are not ashamed to confess it ?"
mo; why should be ?"
Get out Ofmy garden. you young repro
bate J" screamed Jabez, leaping up with light
ming rapidity. "To come here and offer to
buy my daughter, as if she were patch of po-
tatOes Go, say!"
Your daughter Mr. Thornei"
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" .stoa1 aga VI
"Wil you allow me to see the letter. sir?" -es
ThOrne lerked It out Of the compartment where It