Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-03-30
CUMBERLAND, MD, THURSDAY MARCH 80, 1865.

One can hardly be expected to answer def
nitely upon so very short notices"
" Certainly not, Mr.. Thorne I have no
wish to hurry yeu," said Jack, politely, but
am rather anxious to sec for myself, and if
you would favor me with brief description of
the prominent features Of"
But Mr.. Thorne was fdgettng uneasily in
his chair.
What do you mean, sir ~ he exclaimed
wrathfu.ly.
Jack was rather perplexed at this cavalier
reception, but answered as courteously as pos
sible.
Why, sir, of course it is not best to be
precipta!e on matter of such Importance"
" If this is fair specimen of the rising
generation" thought the indignant Jabez,
"they are about as impudent set of Jackanapes
as I want to see. But owe something to
my long friendship with old Zebedec Chester
I won't turn the puppy out of doors quite
yet"
II suppose it is healthy 2" said Lacy bland
ly.
"What is healthy ~
6 Your property. Sometimes in these low
grounds diseases are apt to prevail and"
docs be expect my Mary has the fever
and ague?' thought old Thornc, leapiug
briskly out of the chair as if an insect had
stung him.
"I'll send my daughter to you, young man
that will settle the business at once"
And before Lacy coull express his surprise
his cholerc host had banged the door behind
him and disappeared
Mary Thorne's astonis!lmcnt was even
greater than her fathers had been. She was
attired in wli;e muslin, with booquc. of
crimson moss rose buds in her bosom and q
spray of the same exquisite flowers in her hair
for some rural party or picnic, and at first
absolutely refused to enter the parior.
What an idea p she exclaimed, blushinc
to the very tips of those tiny she'll like ears
- To be put on exhibition like one of your
prize cattle? No indeed, let the young man
so back where he came FROM. A pretty i'm
preston he must have OF the ladies in this
quarter Of the globe"
" But my love, Zebcdee Chester is one of
my Oldest friends, and the young man is
really fine looking fellow, and rich in the
bargain. Go in and talk to him little while,
that's good girl | can't stand it minute
longor."
And old Jabcz wiped his forehead. on
which the pcrspiration was standing in big
drops. Mary burst into fit of uncomfortable
laughter.
" The whole affair is so ridiculous ~ she
exclaimed.
But she adjusted the moss roses, ncverthc-
less and dripped dcmurely into the parlor
Now if there was determined point in
Jack Lacy's character it wa; his aversion to
woman in general, and if there was any one
thing on which he pridcd himself it was his
decided old bachelorism. Imagine his vexa-
ton and disnay, therefore, when after a
formal introduction, old Mr.. Tbornc withdrew,
leaving him tese-a-tete with the pretty crea-
ture in white muslin dress and roses 1t was
embarrassing enough, particularly as Mary
blushed every time he looked at i,er, and
evinced an exceeding great disposition to
laugh.
And Mary, glancing slyly in the direction
Of her companion, came to the conclusion that
he had beautiful Spanish eyes, and moustaehe
decidedly superior in style to the hirsute
adornmcnts of the young gentlemen of Thorn
vile.
Mr.. Lacy looked up at the ceiling and down
at the carpet, and wondered what the consc-
quences would be were he to escape incon-
tinsntly through the open French window
That would not be very dignfcd proceeding
however, so he resigned himself to destiny,
making some original remark on The weather
! 1t had the much desired effect of breaking the
ice however, and he was agrceably surprised
with the arch vivacty Of Miss Thorne. Only
once did sho seem confused it was when she
had been describing a fine grove Of cedars that
belonged to her fathers land, regret;ing at
the same time he contemplated the sale Of it
| "I believe should like to become the pur-
chaser" said Jack. Your father has told
you that | had some idea of settling hcrc'
Mary grew scarlc! and murmured some inco-
hercnt sentence or other, the conversation was
efcctually checked. and Jack. pcrplexeG at
the effect; for which he could see no visible
cause rose to take leave.
viii you mention to your father, Miss
Thorne, that shall call to see him about this
matter tomorrow morning 2" he asked.
All the moss-roscs in Mr.. Thornes rosa
garden could never have rvcled the hot glow
on Mary's checks as she fed out without
word of reply
"Well," thought Jack, the manners and
customs of this locality are rather odd to say
the least of it. | came to consult an old
gentleman about purchasing land of him, and
be bounces out af the room and sends in his
daughter. What on earth am to say to her,
I'd like to know p