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

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 unheeded over b er shoulders.
1--WE won the diamond sleeve-buttons. OF.
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 q chair, land ex-
plain this mysterious riddle!"
"Well you know papa left me to look over
his letter to Mr.. Thorpe; and, as he was de-
tained longer than he expected almost an
hour in fact-and couldn't help amusing my
"a parody?"
"Yes-you remember somebody was telling
US what beautiful daughter Mr.. Thorne had
SO wrote that Jack was in search of a wife,
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; only wanted to read it
to Jack when I went down stairs. WE'LL
signed 1t, with great flourish of trumpets,
and Just then who should come in but papa
and the stranger. Of course fed, and when
I came back the letter was sealed and safe in
Jacks pocket book, and, Olive, 1t was the
wrong letter."
"The wrong letter."
sit was rather dim Highland papas eyes
are not as keen as they were wont to be-and
my impertinent missive has gone! while the
real bona .fde letter lays there amongst heap
of discarded papers. And hadn't the courage
to confess my misdemeanors, papa is so op.
mod tn irbo md 0ool ia
off with that indescribable letter! I shall GER
tainly win the sleeve buttons, Olive, but what
q tornado there will be, when my mischief
leaks OUT"
And Minnie looked so bewitchingly lovely in
her alternate parOXysm 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 q 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,
looking over file of an agricultural journal,
to find some coveted information on the subject
Of "phosphites "and 'super.phosphite, when
a servant brought him card and letter.
1.-THE gentleman is in the parl0r, sir"
Jabez Throne laid aside his newspaper. and
glanced at the card which bore the simple in
ecriptiOn "John Lacy then at the letter.
which purported to be Introductory to that in
dividual.
Hum-ha-from my old college chum,
Chester, as live. Remarkable change in his
handwriting; but years alters us ALL Haven't
bp0 0r6 frnU m N 1nf
what Is this? Apretty cool request, upon my
word-nephew wants a wife, and has heard
that possess daughter-has lots of money
wants me to aid him with my well known ex-
pericnce in such matters. What does the rascal
mtan?" calculated Jabez, the fringe of grey
hair that surrounded his bald head standing
absolutely erect with Indignation, "Ill send
Jeffers to kick the impudent young scamp out
of the house."
But with a moments reflection came calm
cess.
"Well, after all. 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 Chesters-and his letter is Just
like Zebedee ChesterAhe always was singular
in his notions. Rather unlike the ordinary
method of coming to an understanding on such
matters, but!theres 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 strode determined'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.
81 had thought of settling in this vicinity.
Mr.. ThOrne." said Jack. after the ceremonies
of greeting had been exchanged, land UNDER
ell oIn hat had doSsv b1n
piece of property that you might be disposed
''Piece of property" thought the old gen.
tleman. beginning to fire up again; but he
controlled his emotions, and only answered !:
Really, sir. this is o very strange request.
One can hardly be expected to answer definite
ly upon very short notice"
Certainly not, Mr.. Thorne. 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 fidgeting uneasily in his
chair.
What do you mean, sir?" he exclaimed
wrathfully.
Jack was rather perplexed ut this cavalier
possible:
why, sir of course it is not best to be pre-
cipiiate on a matter of such Importance
IF this is fair specimen of the rising gen.
Grafton" thought the indignant Jabez, "they
are about as ignorant set of j,ckanapes as
want TO see But owe something to my long
ir'endship with old Zehedee Chester-I won't
turn the puppy out of doors quite vet"
blindv
''What is healthya" r..s
Your property. Sometimes in these low
grounds diseases are apt to prevail. and"
ague?" thought old Thorne, leaping briskIy.
ous Of the chair as if an insect had stnnp him
I" Ill send my daughter to you young man
that will settle the businass at once.n -
And before Lacy could suppress his surprise,
his choleric host had banged the door behind
him and disappeared. III.
Mary Thorne's establishment was ever, preater
than her fathers had been. She was attired in
white muslin, with . b0quet of crimson moss
rosebuds in her bosom, and spray of the same