The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-05-29
THE LOST WAGER.

II
The trunks were all packed and corded
and the carpet bags were piled up in the
corner Of the capacious old fashioned ball.
How melancholy they looked, those
emblems of partings and adleus. Not
even the merry laughter of the two or
three Young girls who were gathered round
stalwart, handsome fellow of about
thirty could entirely Danish an impalpable
something of sadness from the scene
Cousin Jack was going away, the general
mischief maker tormenter aud tease of the
whole fanily,and old Mr.. Chester, sitting
blythe distant window, wiped his spectacles
over FIVE minutes, and declared, petlshly,
that the type of the evening paper vas
terrible trial to his old eyes.
"Aye,you may laugh girls" said Jack,
applying himself vigorously to the refrac-
tory lock of portmanteau. Perhaps you
may one day discover it isn't such a
laughing matter. Think of the loss the
family Is going to sustain in my excellen-
cy."
"Bus you'll come back soon, Jack dear"
coazed Minnie Chester, the prettiest and
most roguish of all his cousins, and the
one who kept up perfect FIRE of practical
Jokes and girlish tricks at his expense. e
There she sat on the biggest trunk of the
collection, her brown curls hanging about
her round face, and her eyes sparkling
with a curious mixture of fun and tears
"I'm not so certain of ali that Miss Min
ME" said Jack, decisively. "If sue
ceed in finding location to suit me, I shall
probably decide to settle permanently at
Thornville, and turn landed proprietor on
my own account"
"Oaly imagine oar Jack q gentleman
of property :" laughed Minnie, appealing
to her sisters.
II don't see anything 81 very ridlcu-
lous in the iiea," remarked the young
man. ,..ratber piqued at the amusement of
his fair relatives.
AT all events, there is one incalculable
advantage that may result from my de-
parture"
And what is that, Mr.. Oracle 2"
''Tbe fact that you have played your
last freak on me, you tormenting little
mink !"
Don't be SO certain of that, Cousin
Jack y said Minnie, shaking her long
curls. "What will you venture 7 don't
bestow parting trick on you yet? Ah =!
! havn't settled with you for several little
pieces of impertiDence; but pray, don't
imagine they are forgotten, sir"
MY diamond sleeve buttons to your
coral necklace that you don't impose upon
NE within the next three months, Minnie" "
said Jack gaily.
Done p said Minnie. "Girls, you all
hear the wager, don't you? always COW
etcd Jacks diamonds 2"
But you won't have them, Nademoi
selle. How dark it is getting in this
cavernous old hall. Shall I ring for
lights, Uncle Chester? and, By the way,
have you written that letter of introduc-
tion to Mr.. Thorn z"
"All in good time my boy-all in good
time" said the old gentleman, depositing
his large silver bound spectacles IN their
case. You young people are all in such
a desperate hurry. Tell Betsy to carry
lamp into tie library, girls. And Minnie
where Is ny gold pen? I won't be very
long about it, and then we'll have nice
long evening to gossip about Jacks pros,
poets"
While Mr.. Chester sat in bis easy, red ]
curtaiDed ibrary,revising the letter which
he had been writing to his old college
friend, Jabez Thorn, of ThornYille,to to the
effect that his nephew, John Lacy, was in
search of an e'izible piece of land, and
wished 10 settle down as planter in that
vicinity, and requesting Mr.. Thorne's co.
ope, in in the selection Of the same,
Minnie opened the door.
Papa, there's some one down stairs
who wants to see you Immediately, for one
minute
"Yerv annoying" said the old gentle
man. Just as | was finishing up this
letter of Jacks. However, | can finish
i: afterwards. Minnie, suppose you
glance over If, and dot the is and cross
the Is; | am not SO much Of pennman
as | used to be-"
And old Mr. Chester pushed back his
chair and rose from the antique oak table
10 attend TO the claims of his ITrant c,r7ast