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


q servant brought him a card and letter.
"The gentlemen is in the parlor, sir"
Iabez Thorne laid aside his newspaper aut
glanced at the card, which bore the simple
inscription, "John Lacy then at the let
ter, which purported to be Introductory :,
that individual.
"Hum-ha-from my old college chum
Chester, as live. Remarkable change II
bis hand writing, but time alters us ALL
haven't heard from him in twenty years
and-hallo what is this A pretty COO
request upon my word--nephew wants
wife, and has heard that possess daugh
ter-has lots Of money-wants me to ait
him with my we'll known experience in such
matters. What does the old rascal mean ?
calculated Jabez, the fringe of gray hair tina
surrounded bis bald head standing absolutely
erect with indignation, "rll send Jeffers t
kick the impudent young scamp out Of tn,
house
But with moments reflection came calm
ness.
",Well, after all don't see what there |.
in the matter too make me so foolishly an
CRY. Guess I'll see what Mary says. AT
excellent family those Chesters-and thi:
letter is just like Zebedee Chester--al-
ways eingular in his notions. Rather unlike
standing on saeh natt-r,, bat there is moth
ing like a dash Of originality in this world
and if the boy is rich, aud Mary don't OBJ.
ject---at all events I'll see him on the sub
ject" ,Is, NJ.
And Jabez Thorne thrust the letter into bis
pocket and strobe determinedly into the par.
lor, where young Lacy was quietly awaiting
his appearance. The old gentleman's face
was scarlet with embarrassment he was
half disposed to be angry at his guests cool
selfpossession.
j" had thought of settling in this vicini.
ty, Mr.. Thorne,' said Jack, after the cere-
monies of greeting had been exchanged,
q and understood from my uncle that you
had desirable piece of property that you
might be disposed to part with"
"Piece of property thought the old gen.
tleman, beginning to fire up again; but he
controlled bis emotion and only answered:
g Really sir, this is q very strange request.
One can be hardly expected to answer def.
nitely upon 60 very short notice."
"Certainly not Mr.. Thorne, have no
wish to hurry you" said Jack, politely
but am rather an xious to see for myself, and
if you would favor me with brief descrip-
tion of the prominent features Of"
But Mr.. Thorne was 6geting uneasily in
his chair. ...
"What do you mean, sir9" he exclaimed
wrathfully. r,
Jack was rather perplexed at this cavalier
reception, but he answered as coolly as pos
sible:
"Why, sir, of course It is not best to be
precipitate on matter of such great impor.
tancen ,,;,ib,,.',.....
"If this is fair specimen of the rising
generation" thought the indignant Jabez
I" they are about as impudent set of jack.
a-napes as want to see. But owe some
thing to my long friendship with old Zebedes
Chester---won't turn the puppy out of doors
quite YETI
al suppose it is healthy?" asked Lacy,
blandly.
What is healthy2"
"Your property. Sometimes in these low
grounds, diseases are apt to prevail and
"Does he think my Mary has the fever
and ague 2" thought old Thorne, leapinp
brisk ly out Of the chair, as if an insect had
stung him. "Ill send my daughter to you
! y iuuu-tuut Will oSteiC thO ousihSsS "
once"
And before Lacy could suppress his sur
prise his choloric host had banged the dool
behind him and disappeared.
Mary Thorne,s astonisbment was even
greater than her fathers bad been. She wal
attired in white muslin, with a bouquet o
crimson moss rose buds in her bosom, and a
spray of the same exquisite flowers in hel
hair, for some rural party or picnic, and a
first absolutely refused to enter the parlor.
What an idea /" she exclaimed, blush
ing to the. very tips Of those tiny, shell like
ears. "To be put upon exhibition like one
of your prize cattle! No, indeed Let the
young man go back where he came from
pretty impression he must have of the la.
dies in this quarter Of the globe!"
"But, my love, Zebedee Chester is one o
my oldest friends, and the young man il
really fine looking fellow, and,rich into thu
bargain. Go in and talk tn him littl,
while, there's good girl. ! can't stand II
minute longer" '7s re.
And old Jabez wiped his forehead, upon
which the perspiration was standing in biz
beads. te
"The whole affair is so ridiculousl sh'
exclaimed. ,,.a ..t.
But she adjusted the moss roses, neverthe
less and trippcd demurely into the parlor.
Now if there was a determined point In
Jack Lacy's character 1t was his aversion Il
women in general, and if there was any ont
thing on which he prided himself, it was hi
decided old bachelorism. Imagine his vexa
ton and dismay, therefore, when, after for
NAL introduction, old Mr.. Thorne withdrew
leaving him tete a feh with the pretty crea
ture in white muslin and roses. 1t was em
barrassing enough, particularly as Mary
blushed every time he looked at her, ant
evisced an exceedingly great disposition Il
laugh.
"Well," thought Jack, I" the manners ant
customs of this locality are rather odd, tc
say the least OF it. ] came TO consult an OLE
Igentleman about purchasing land Of him
he bounces out OF the room and sends hi
daughter. What on earth am to say to her
| would like to know"
And Mary glancing silly in the direction
of her companion, came TO the conclusion
that he had beautiful Spanish eyes, and ,
mustache decidedly superior in style to III,
hirsute adornments of the young gentlemen
of Thornville.
Mr.. Lacy looked up to the ceiling an(
down at the carpet, and wondered what thu
consequences would be were he to escape in
oontinently through the open French win.
dow That would not be a very dignifet
proceeding, however, so be resigned himself
to destiny by making some original remark
on the weather. 1t had the much desires
effect of breaking the ice, however, and h,
was greatly surprised with the arch vivacity
lOf Miss Thorne. Only once did she seen
confused it was when she had been dessrib
ing a grove Of cedars that belonged to he
fathers land, regretting at the same time tina
he contemplated the sale Of IL.