Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1867-01-18


that grove Of cedars tomorrow morning
before breakfast" t-
He dreamed of blue-eyed Mary Thorne
that night and rose feeling decidedly pleas
ed that he should have a reasonable excuse
for calling at her fathers house so soon.
Il certainly can't be In love-" quoth he,
mentally. But how Minnie would tease
me II she thought was in any danger Of
suing fo-, not only farm, but q WIFE"
"0ld Jabez Thorne was busily engaged
nipping the dead leaves Of his pet laurustin.
us with gigantic pair Of garden scissors
that morning, when young Lacy sprang over
the hedge and saluted him with bouyant
"Good morningl Well sir, he went on,
gaily, II have seen the property, and am
perfectly delighted. A fine healthy invest.
ment mo disease about II, am convinced
aHum," said Mr.. Thornc, obviously.
"And would like to take second and
more thorough inspection in your society II
you please"
Really Mr.. Lacy, my daughter has moi
come down stairs, and"
awhat the mischief has his daughter To
do with the matter" thought Lacy, but he
said;
"Of course win await any time that
may be convenient to you sir. observed
a good deal of native roughness, but can
not doubt there is very great susceptibility
TO improvement. A little judicious cultiya-
tion will accomplish wonders"
Let me tell you young man." began Mr..
Thorne in towering rage, but Lacy saw
that be had ,unconsciously committed some
and he, therefore hastcned to
say:
In short, sir, am now determined to
secure this rural gem at any price. What is
the sum you demand2"
Mr.. Thorne fairly sat down upon the grav-
el walk, overpowered with the avalanche of
wrath which be found impossible to shape
into words.
a I" Upon my word sir he began I" you
talk as il this was a mere matter of busi-
ness
Jack was puzzled enough. at is the
way in which / have always, heretofore,
been accustomed to treat such affairs sir"
"Heretofore--you have been accustomedl !
And pray sir, how many such little affairs
have you had on your hands 2" shrieked old
Thorne, growing purple in the face.
"Oh, several sir. | am not 90 inexperi-
enced as You suppose" replied Jack smil-
ing.
"And you are not ashamed to own it,"
"No: why should be2"
"Get out Of my garden you young repro
bate T. screamed Jabez, leaping up with
lightning rapidity. " Toe here and Of
fer to buy my daughter, as if she were a
patch of potatoesl Go, I sayl"
"Your daughter, Mr.. Thorne."
Yes my daughter, you jack-s-dandy.'
But I'm not bargaining for your daugh-
ter. I'm bargaining for that land across the
"Don't tell me-" calculated Mr.. Thorne,
Juggling away at the fastenings of his pocket
book, "your uncles letter has informed me
of your atrocious intention" .5...i
"Will you allow me to see the letter sir y
said Lacy.
Thorne jerked It out of the compartment
where it lay, and tossed it angrily toward
Lacy. He opened it, and in spite Of his an
modification, burst into laugh
ter at the sight of Minnie's hand writing,
"It's nothing to laugh at sir" exclaimed
Mr.. Thorne. ga -Ne Atl .t.
any dear Mr.. Thorns, we are all the vic
Tins of very ridiculous mistake" said La
cy. "My uncle never wrote this letter; il
is the work Of my mischevious cousin Min.
nie The genuine document must have been
left behind"
"And you didn't come to look for a
wife2"
81 came to purchase real estate"
I'll
whistled loud aud long, then offered his
hand to his guest with hearty laugh.
"Well my boy, I'm heartily sorry ] call
ed you so many cpprobrious names but Mary
and | supposed you were after her. Imust
go and tell the little mink what blunder
we've made"
"Say a moment sir, said Jack, laying q
detainiug hand upon the old gentleman's
shoulder, as his quick eye detected the dis
tant futter; of Miss Thorue's dress, among
the trees, "will you allow me TO make the
necessary explanation myself? am not at
all certain that, after have selected a home
shall not enter into less business like nego.
tistions for charming young wife to preside
over it." t-a
80" As you please my lad" said the old gen,
tleman, chuckling. I'll give my consent il
only 10 atone for my villainous treatment Of
you little while ago." '
He resumed his gardening operations, oc-
casionaly pausing to laugh all to himself
while Cousin Jack sprang up the path 70
seek Mary.
They were abse mt a long time--in fact, as
old Jabez thought, an unreasonable long
time, before he descerned through the dense
foliage of the accasia hedge their advancing
forms, Mr.. Lacy looking exceedingly proud
and self satisfied, and Mary leaning on bis
arm, with her pretty cheeks flushed, and her
lips wreathed in timid smiles
"What does she say" roared the paterfa'
nniias:
"She says she'll consider of IL !"
A week or two afterward, Minnie Chester
received neat little package, containing the
diamond ve-buttons, and the following
billet:
Dear Minnie I've lost my wager, but
very cheerfuly, deliver over the for.
feiied stakes, for have won something o.
infinitely more value-a wife.
Cousin JACK.
From which we may conclude that the re.
suit Of Miss Mary's considerations were
favorable.
Is IT A RusE Persons we'll acquainted
with the French and Mexicans, ask II the re-
cent proclamations and counter proclamatious
of Macmillan aud Marshal Bazaine te not