Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-03-30

suppose YOU slnce over it, and dot the is and
cross the is. I'm not so much of penman
as | used to be-"
And old Mr.. Chester pushed back his chair
and arose from the antique oak table to attend
to the claims of his urgen, guest.
Olive Chester was brushing out the heavy
braids of her laxuriant hair before the dress
ing mirror of her own.apartmcnt, two hours
later, when Minnie ran in, with countenance
comically divided between dsmay and delight
"My dear Minnie, what has happened p
exclaimed the elder sister, dropping her hair
brush and letting all the raven trcsses ripple
down over her shoulders.
"Fve won the diamond slceve-buttons,
Olive! But, oh | didn't mean to. What
would papa say he only knew-and cousin
jack, too?''
"St down, you wild little elf" said Olive
gently forcing her sister into chair, &" and
explain this curious riddle"
"Well, you know papa left me to look
over his letter to Mr. Thorne-hc was de-
tanned longer than he xpectcd-almost an
hour in fact, and couldn't help amusing
myself by writing parody on the letter"
"a parody?"
=" Ics-you remember somebody was tell
ing us what a beautiful daughter Mr.. Throne
had--so wrote that Jack was in search of a
wife, and heard of Miss Thornc, and wanted
to settle in life, and all that sort of thing In
short, wherever papa had written land or cs-
tate, / wrote wife. Wasn't it fun 2" oacu-
lated the little maiden, her eyes dancing wi h
diabcry. But you know 1 never once
thought Of sending the letter only wanted
to read it to Jack when l went down stairs.
Well signed it, with a great flourish of
trumpcts, and then who should come in but
papa and the stranger. OF course | fed
and when | came back the letter was sealed
and safe in jacks pocket-book, and Olive, it
was the wrong letter"
" The wrong lcttcr?"
4" 1t was rather dim light-and papa's
eyes were not so keen as they are won't to
bc-and my impcrtinent missiye was gone,
while the real bona fdc letter lay there
amongst heap of discarded papers, and |
hadn't courage to confess my misdcmeanors
papa is so opposed to my innocent little joke,
and Jack is of with the disagreeable letter !.
| shall certainly win the slecve-buttons, Olive
but what tornado there will be when my
mischief leaks out -
And Minnie looked so bewitchingly lovely
in her alternate paroxysms of terror and
laughter that Olive, grave elder sister though
she was, had not the heart to lecture her as
roundly as she deserved.
The crimson sunset Of the next evening
shone radiantly into the sanctum of the worthy
old Jabez Thornc, of Thorneville, Justice of
the Peace, and chairman of all the agricul-
tural meetings for ten miles around. 1t was
no scholarly library like that of his ancient
comrade, Chester, but square, light room
with four uncurtained windows, ornamcntcd
with guGierous blackframcd engravins of prize
cattle and giant turnips. He was seated in
leathercushioned arm chair looking over the
files of an agricultural Journal to find some
coveted information on the subject of :" phos-
pilates" and super phosphatcs," when SER
want brought him a card and letter.
"Thc gentleman is in the parlor, sir
Jabez lhorne laid aside his newspaper, and
glanced at the card which bore the simple
inscription John Lacy and then at the
letter. which purported to have been an intro
duction to that individual
Ilum-ha-from an old college chum,
Chester, as | live. Remarkable change ia his
hand writing, but time alters us all. IIavn't
heard from him in twenty years, and-hallo .
what is this A pretty cool question, upon
my word nephew wants a wife and has heard
that | have daughtcr-hls plenty of money
wants met aid him with uy well-known
experience in such matters. What does the
old rascal mean y calculated Jabez, the fringe
Of grey hair that surrounded his bald head
standing absolutely erect with Indignation.
Will stuu CeHCTS u KICK lnc lnpuuent
young scamp out Of the house"
" But moments reflection brought calm
ness.
Well, after all, don't see what there is
in the matter to make me so foolishly angry.
Guess I'll see what Mary says. An excel
lent family those Cheste"s and this letter is
just like Iebedee Chester: he always was
singular in his notions. Rather unlike the
ordinary method of coming to an understand
ing on such matters, bat there's nothing like
dash of originality in this world, and if the
boy is rich, and Mary don't object-at all
events I'll see him on the subject. )"
And Jabez Thornc thrust the letter into his
pocket and strobe deterninedly into the par
lor, where young Lacy was quietly awaiting.
his appearance. The old gentleman's face
was scarlet with embarrassment he was half
disposed to be angry at his guests cool self
possession"
:" | had thought of settling in this vicinity.
NJ Tborpo s,;J T,.l- .c,o. H. ......e.: -.