The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1866-10-05
a Fdther-in-LaW in Spite of Him
self,

| AIN A@eSh correspondent VI Tue NEW
Orleans Delta writes the following to that
paper:
"A good sell is related of a wealthy
, banker here, who is very good natured
but inclined TO be trihe fast in his views
OF life. He had a favorite clerk, a young
man OF about twenty-one, and remarkably
, handsome, modest, and highly intellectual.
For these qualities he was liked by every
one, and the banker did not escape the
general feeling of good will He was As
poor as his salary, and had no connection
TO push him after fortunes. and 50. ike
most English clerks, he would rise TO one
hundred and twenty pounds year, 90 on
Tor eight years at ten pounds year rise,
and marry when he gets to two hundred
pounds year, henoefprth TO vegetate and
find that the additional ten pounds wear
rise only kept pace with the additional
babes IN the household. The banker, on
Sunday afternoon, when no one was ex-
Pected, would occasionally ask the young
man TO visit his young family at his sub
urban villa; as the conversation of the
young man was so correct and clever. il
could not but be of advantage TO his chill
dren. This was mistake. evidently, but
If was good natured error, and We can
only wish, all of US, that there were more
committed have not mentioned that
there was beautiful young daughter of
nineteen, but that may always be under
stood in any English family that has
known welded life long enough. But
there were, of course, no attentions on the
part of the young man other than ex-
tremely delicate, reserved and proper.
Ihls will most always be the case with
English youth, as Americans well know.
Don't hem after this. The youth, in
spite of two or three days invitation TO
the bankers seat, 10 breathe fresh air and
clear his lungs of London smoke-was
evidently very i'll, and though he declared
himself well and robust, the banker shook
his head.
Il cannot make out what is the matter
with my young clerk said the banker TO
a contrere who was in his back office with
him, after the youth had just brought in
some papers
well, You are green, should say, for
a man of your time of life and expert
ence, said banker number two. Don't
you know what's the matter. he's in
love! p
In love- bah. He is modesty and
propriety itself
Il tell you it is fact, and with a rich
old fellows daughter who would no more
think of having him for son-in-law than
you would
oh, the naughty old fool; my clerk is
as good as his daughter, and be hanged to
him. Thank you for the hint
As soon rs banker number two had dis
appeared, the clerk was called in.
80. sir, yon are in love. and pining
away for the object of your Affection
that's the secret, is it! Why did you not
tell me before, sir p
The youth WAS silent
We'll, my boy, pity you; but I'll
give YOU word of advice. If the daugh-
Ter is fair, she's worth running a risk for.
Look here; there are f50a. and two
months leave of absence. Run away
with the girl. Bah, don't look so stupid.
did the same before You, and it didn't
hurt me-
The clerk fell on his marrow bones. and
was upon the point Of making a clean
breast of it when the old man rose and
left precipitately, to avoid a scene. The
young man considered and acted, and the
consequence was that the next day week
there was no young daughter at the dinner
table OF the banker at the country house.
The house was in CONSERVATION, and a
search made for her in all directions. 4
note, however, found on her dressing ia
ble, conveying the customary prayer for
forgiveness, and one enclosed from the
young clerk, stating that believing the
banker had meant 10 give him a hint with
regard TO his daughter, and was not able
10 give hls public consent owing TO ap-
lpearances, lie had acted on the suggestion,
and that ere his 'father-in-law' had re-
ceived the letter he would be his son-in-
law. This pill was bitter one, and the
joke a terrible one against him, and the
city men are very adverse TO joke against
them; so if was hushed up, and has only
got to the ears of the purveyors Of scandal
and TO your correspondent, who records it
as trait of London life.''