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

Llsuauj ptglua4uE W LIZ W 6Ss1N W.
he controlled his emotion, and only an
sBered really, sir, this is a very strange
request. One can hardly be expected to
answer definitely upon SO short notice"
"Certainly not, Mr.Thorne. I have no
wish to hurry you," said Jack politely !;
"but I am rather anxions to do for my
self, and if you would favor me with a
brief description of the prominent features
Of"
But Mr.. Thorne was fdgeting uneasily
in his chair.
"What do you mean, sir" he exclain-
ed, wrathfully.
Jack was rather perplezed at this cav
alier reception, but be answered as cour-
teously as possible:
"Why, sir, of course it is not best to
be precipitate on matter of such i'm
portanee."
"If this is a specimen of the rising gen
eration," thought the indignant Jabez,
"they are about as impudent set of Jack
anapes as I want to see. But owe some
thing to my long friendship with old Zeb-
edee Chester-I won't turn the puppy
out of doors qnite yet"
II suppose it is healthy 7" asked Lacy,
blandly.
"What is healthy 2"
"Your property. Sometimes in these
low grounds diseases are apt to prevail
and"
"Does he expect my Mary to have the
fever and ague ?" thought old Thorne,
leaping briskly out Of his chair as if an
insect had stung him. "Tll send my
daughter to you, young man~-that will
settle the business at once"
And before Lacy could express his sur
prise, his choleric host had banged the
door behind him and disappeared.
Mary Thorne's astonIshment was even
greater than that of her father. She was
attired in white muslin, with boquet Of
crimson moss rose-buds in her bosom, and
spray Of the same exquisite flowers 10
her hair, for some rural party or picnic,
aud at first absolutely refused to enter the
parlor
What an idea y she exclaimed, blush
: ing to the very tips of those tiny, she'll
ike ears. "To be put upon exhibition
like one of your prize cattle. No, indeed.
Let the young man 80 back where be
came from! A pretty impression he
must have of the ladies' il this quarter of
the globa!"
/ "But, my love, Zabedee Chester is one
of my Oldest friends, and the young man
is really very fine looking fellow, and
rich in the bargain. Go in and talk to
him a little while, there's a gOod!girl. l
can't stand it minute longer"
And old Jabez wiped his forehead, on
which the perspiration was standing in big
beads. Mary burst into an uncomfortable
ft of laughter.
"The whole affair is so ridiculous !" she
exclaimed.
| But she adjusted the moss roses, never
theless, and tripped demurely into the
parlor.
Now, if there was determined point
in Jack Lacy's character, it was his aver
sion to women in general, and if there
was any one thing on which he prided
himself it was his decided old bachelor
ism. Imagine bis vezation and disnay,
therefore, when. after formal introduc.
ton, old Mr.. Thorne withdrew, leaving
him tete-a-tete with the pretty creature in
white muslin and roses. 1t was embar-
RAISING enough, particularly as Mary
blushed every time he looked at her, and
eyinced an exceedingly great disposition
to laugh.
We'll, thought Jack, the manners and
customs of this locality are rather odd, tc
say the least Of 1t. come to consult an
old gentleman about purchasing land of
him, ard he bounces out of the room, and
sends IN his daughter. What on earth
am to say to her, I'd like to know.
And Mary, glancing shyly in the di-
rection of her companion, came to the
conclusion that be had beautiful Span.
ish eyes," aud moustache decidedly su.
perior in style to the hirsute adornnents
Of the young gentlemen Of Thorneville.
Mr.. Lacy looked up at the ceiling and
down at the carpet, and wondered what
tie consequences would be were he incon-
tinen:ly 20 escape through theopen Frerch
VII Y. That woa,d not be very dig
nifed pr caodi0g, however, SO he resigned
himself to destiny By making some origi-
nal remark on the weather. 1t had the
much desired effect of breaking the ice,
however, and be was greatly surprised
with the areh viEacity of Miss Thorne.
Oaly once did she seem confused it was
when she had been describing a fine grove
of cedars that belonged 10 her fathers
land, regTctting at the same time that he
contemplated the sale IF it.
"I believe | wonld like to become pur-
chaser" said Jack. "Your father has
told you that | had some idea of settling