Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1865-07-13


ten miles around. 1t was scholarly library, like
that OF his ancient comrade Chester. but square
light room, with four uncurtained windows, orna-
mented with numerous black framed engravinss oi
prize cattle and giant turnps. He seated in
a lelthern cushioned arm char, looking the
flies of an agricultural journal to find some covet-
cd information on the subect Of phosphates' and
super -phosphates, when a servant brought him a
card and letter.
The gentleman j, in the parlor, SIR
Jibcs Thorne laid aside his newspaper aid
glanced ut the card which bore the simple inscrip-
ton-'JOhn Lacy'-then at the letter, which pur-
ported to have been an introduction to that indi-
vidual.
.Hum-ha--from an old college chum, Chester,
as live Remarkable change in his handwriting
but time changes us all. Havn't heard a word
from him in twenty years, and--hallo. what is this
pretty cool request, upon my wOrd--ncphew
wants wife, and has heard that possess a daush-
ter-hIs plenty Of money-wants me to aid with
nv well known experience in such matters. What
does the old rascal meant CALCULATED Jibcz, the
fringe Of gray hair thit surrounded his bald head
standing absolutely erect with Indignation. Il will
send Jeffers to kick the impadent Young scamp
out OF nv house, But n moments reflection
brought calmnesS. 'Well, after all, | don't SEQ
what there is in the letter to make me so fooshly
angry. Guess I'll see what Mary SAYS. An cx-
celent family those Chesters-and this letter Is
in his notons--rather unlike the ordinary method
OF coming to understanding such matters
but there's nothing like n dash of originality in
this world, and if the boy is rich and Mary don't
obiect-1t all events, I'll see him on the subject
AMI Jabez Thorne thrust the letter into his pock
ct and strobe dctermnedly into the parlor, where
young Lacy was quietly waiting his appearance -
The old gentleman's face was scarlet with en-
barrassment; he was half disposed to be angry
with his guests cool self possession.
Ihad thought of settling in this vicinity Mr..
Thosne.' said Jack. after the ceremonies of greet
ing h1d been exchanged, 'and understood from
nv uncle that you had desirable piece of proper
ty That you might he disposed to part with
Piece of property. thought the old gentleman,
besinnin. to fire up again; but he controlled his
emotion. and only answered.:
Really sir, this is very singular request. One
can harl'y be expected to answer definitely upon
such short notice.
Certainly not. Mr.. Thornc, I 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 fea-
turos Of
But Mr.. Thome was fdgcting uueasily in his
chair.
What do you mean, sirl' he exclaimed wrath
fully.
jack was rather pcrplexed at this cavalier re-
ception. but answered as cOnrteously possible:
{
tate a matter of such ,nportancc.'
'lf this is fair specimen of the rising genera
tion.' thought the indignant JabeZ they are a5out
| rs impudent set OF Jack ,napes ! want to sec
But owe something to my long friendship with
old Zebdee Chester-I won't turn the puppy out
OF doors quite vet
j suppose it is tealthy.' said Lacy blandly.
'What is hcalthyl'
'Yonr property. Sometimes in these low
grounds diseases are apt To prevail, and
! Does he cxpcct my Mary has the fever and
agucr thought old Thorne, lcaping briskly out of
the chair as If an insect hld stun- him. I'm send
my daughter TO you--that will settle the business
What the mischief has his daughter 20 do with
/ this matterF thought Jack. and before he ud
express his surprise his cholrrc host had banged
the door behind him and disappeared.
Mary Ihornes asionishment even greater
than her fathers had been. She was attired in
white muslin, with boqnet of crimson moss rose
buds IN her bosom, aIdsa spray of the slmc ex
quisite 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 thosc tiny, shell like e1rs. TO he
put on exhibition like one of your Prize CATTLE
No indeed, let the Young 60 buck where he
came from. pretty impression he must have of
the Indies in this quarter OF the gobe.'
| But my love, Z-i,idee Chester is one ofmy old
tct diu tue Aoui8 ilfl really me
ing fellow, and rich in the bargain. Go in and
talk to him little while, that's good girl.
cant stand it minute longer
And old Jabez wiped his forehead on which the
perspiraton standing in big beads. Mary
burst into fit OF uncomfortable laughter.
The whole affair is so ridiculous she cxclaim
Cd
But she adjusted the moss rose nevertheless,
and tripoed demurcly into the parlor
Now II there was a determined pOint in i Jick
Lscy's character, il was his aversion tn women in
general, and if there was any one thing on which
he prided himself it his decision on bach elor
ism. Imagine his vexation and dismay. therefore,
when after formal introduction. old Mr.. Thorne
Withdrew, leaving him tete a te;e with the pretty
creature in white muslin and roses 1t WAS en-
barr lssng enough, particularly as Mary blushed
every time he looked at her. and evinced an ex-
ceeding great disposition to laugh.
'Well,' thought Jack, 'the manners and customs
of this locality rather odd to say the least of
came to consult an old gentIem IN about purchas.
ing land of him. and he bounces out of the room
and sends in his daughter. What on earth an. to
say TO her, III like to kn-w7'
And Mary, slancing sly in the direction Of kcr
companion. came to the conclusion that he had
beautiful Spanish moustache-decidedly superior
in style to the hirsute adornmcnts OF the Young
gentlemen of Thornyille.
! Mr.. Lacy looked up at the ceiling and down at
tho carpet, and wondered what the consequences
would be were he to escape incontnently through
, the open French window That would not be a
very dignihed proceeding, however, so he resigned
himself to his destiny by making some original re-
marx on the weather II had the desired effect of
breaking the ice, and he was agreeably surprised
with the arch vivacity of Miss Thorne. Only once
did che seem confused; it was when she had been
describing a hne grove OF ced,rs that belonged to
her fathers land, regretting ut the time that
he contemplated the sale of il.
'Ibelieve should like to become the purchaser >
said Jack. 'Your father mas told you that l had
some idea of settling here?'
Mary grew scarlet and murmured some incohe.
rent sentence other, the conversation was effect
uay checked, and Jack perPlexed at the effect for
which he could see no visible Cause, rose to take
leave
'Will you mention to your father, Miss Throne,
that shall call to see him about this matter to
morrow morningr he asked.
All the moss roses in Mr.. Thrones rose garden
could never have rivaled the hot glow on Mary's
cheeks as she fed from the room without a word of
reply
Very singular family, this muttered Jack,
slowly drawing on his gloves and walking down
the garden path. But she is an uncommonly
pr city grl-and shall certainly take an early walk
through that grove of cedars to morrow morning
before breakfast
He dreamed OF blue eyed Mary Throne that
night, and rose decidedly pleased that he should
have reasonable excuse for calling at her fathers
house 80 soon.
i .IcertainIy can't be in love. quoth he mentally.