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

| mentally. " But now Minnie would teaze
me if she thought I was in danger of sueipg
for no. only farm but WIFE"
Old Jabez Thorne was busily engaged
nipping the dead leaves of his pot laurustinus
with gigantic pair of garden scissors that
morning when Lacy sprang over the hedge
and ssuted him with bouyant-
Good morning !" " Well SIR" he went on
gaily, ''I have ssen the property, and am
perfectly delighted. A fine healthy invest
ment--no disease about it. I'm convinced
" Hem ~ said Mr. Thorne obviously.
"And 1 would like to take second and
more thorough inspection in your society, sir,
if you please"
Really, Mr.. Lacy" raid the old man
sharply, my daughter has not yet come
down stairs"
"What the mischief has his daughter to
do with the matter r thought Lacy, but he
said politely.
"Of course, I will wait until it may be
convenient to you, sir observed good
deal of native roughness, but l cannot doubt
that thoro is a very great susceptibility to
improvement A little judicous cultivation
will accomplish wonders"
% Let me tell you young man." began Mr..
Thorne in a towering rage. But Lacy saw
that he had unoonseiously committed some
arch blundcr, and FASTENED to say:
this rural gem at any price. What is the
sum demanded 2"
Nir. ThGrne fairly sat down on the gravel
walk, overpowcred with the avalanche of his
wrath which lie found impossible 10 ehape into
wards.
Upon-my-- word--sir," he began. /" You
talk aa though this was mere matter of
business"
Jack was puzzled enough "It is the way
which have always hitherto been accustomed
to treat such nfiuirr, SIR"
"Icretoforc-you have been accustomed.
And pray, sir, how many such little affairs
have you had on your hands shrieked old
Thorne, growing purple in TIE face
o, several, cir; IN not to inexperienced
as you suppose, replied jack, smiling.
"And you arc not ashamed to confess it 2,
"No; why should | be {"
Get out of my garden you young repro.
bate" screamed Jabez, lcaping up with light
ming rapidity. 'To come here to oiIe. 70 buy
my daughter, as if she were patch of 2o.a-
toes? Go, say"
Your daughter, Mr.. Thornc?"
eyes ny daughter, you Jach-a-dandy"
"But l am not bargsiningfor your dsugh-
ter; am bargaining for that land across &c
river
Don't tell me-" calculated Mr.. Thornc,
tugging away at the faateningt of his pocket
book; ''ye-r uncle's letter has informed .uc
Of your atrocous intention"
"Will you allow INC to see the letter, sir?'
Thorne jerksd It OFT oc the compartment
where it Icy. and tossed it angrily towards
Lacy. lie opened it, and in spite of his an
uoyancc and modification, bur1ting in laugh
ter at the sight of Minnie's dainty hand writ
ing.
1t is nothing to laugh at" exclaimed
Ihorne
"My dear MIR. Thorno, we are victims Of
very ridiculous mistake" said Lacy. NJ
uncle never wrote this letter; il is the wor,,
OF my mischievous cousin Minnie. The genu-
inc document mrst have been left behind"
"And you did not come to look for wife?"
II came to purchase real estate"
"Whcw Wv ~ old Jabez Thorne whistled
loud and long, then offered his hand to his
gnest with hearty laugh.
"Wcll, my boy, I'm heartily sorry called
you so many opprobrious names, but ,lary
and supposed you were after her. l must
20 and tell the little MINK what blunder
we've made.
"Stop moment, Sir, said Jack" laying
OBTAINING hand on the old gentleman S arm as
his quick eye detected the distant hutter of
Miss Thorne's light dress among the trees
will you allow me to make the necessary e1-
plantations myself? am not at all certain
that after have selected home shall not
enter into less business like negotiations for a
charming young wife to preside over it."
Gas you please, my lad," said the old gen
tlcnan chuckingly. II give you my consent
if only to atone for my villainous treatment of
you little while ago"
He resumed his gardening operations, occa-
sionally pausing to laugh, all to HIMSELF while
cousin Jack sprang up the path to meet
Mary. ........ III
They were absent a long tmc-in fact. as
old Jabes thought, an unrcascnably long time
before he discerned through the dense fol-
iagc of the acacia hedges their advancing
forms. Mr.. Lacy looking exceedingly proud
and solf-satisfed, and Mary leaning on his
arm. with her pretty cheeks flushed, and her
lips wrcathed in timid smiles
"'What does she say - roared the spater-
familias.
" She says she will consider of it" answer
ed Jack, dcmurely.
A week or two afterwards Minnie Chester