Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-05-22
A Father-in-law in Spite of Himself.

er, IN London, who is very good natured,
but inclined to be triie fast in his views
OF life. He had favorite clerk, 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 gen
eral feeling of good will He was as poor
as his salary, and had no connections to
push him after fortune, and so, like most
English clerks, he would rise to one hudred
and twenty pounds year, go on for eight
years at ten pounds year rise, and marry
when he gets two hundred pounds year,
henceforth TO vegetate and find that the adj
dltlonal ten pounds a year rise only kept
pace with the additional babes in the house
hold
The banker, on Sunday afternoon, when
no one was expected, would occasionally ask
the young man to visit his family at his
suburban villa; as the conversation of the
young man was correct and clever, it could
not but be of advantage to his children.
This was a mistake, evidently, but it was a
good natured error, and we can only wish,
all of us, that there were more committed.
L have not mentioned that there was a beau
tltul young daughter of nineteen, but they
may always be understood in any family
that has known welded life enough But
there were, of course, no attentions on the
part OF the young man other than extreme
ly delicate, reserved andtproper This will
most always be the case with English youth,
as Americans well know Don't ''ahem"
after this. The youth, in spite of several
Sundays spent at the bankers country seat,
to breathe fresh air and clear his throat of
London smoke, was evidently very i'll, and
though he declared himself well and robust,
the banker shook his head.
4 cannot make out what is the matter
with my young clerk, said the banker to
confrere who was in his back Office with
him, after the youth had brought in some
papers.
well, you are green, [ should say, for
man OF your time of life and experience,
said banker number two. Don't you see
what's the matter he's in love ~
In love hah. He Is modesty and pro-
priety itself -
Il tell you it is fact, and with rich
old fellows daughter who could no more
think OF having him for a son-in-IaW than
you would yourself"
''Ho, the naughty old fool; my clerk is
as good as his daughter, and be hanged to
him. Thank you for the hint"
As soon as banker number two had gone
out. the clerk was called in.
$50, sir. you are in love, and pin;ng away
for tt.eaobject of your affections that's the
secret, is it? Why did you not tell me be-
fore bout it?''
J he youth was silent
We'll, my boy, [ pity you; but | will
give you word of advice If the dadgh-
ter is fair, she is worth making risk for.
Look here; there are $500 and two months
leave absence. Run away with the girl
Bah, don t look SO stupid. did the same
before you and it didn' t hurt me. y
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, pre-
to avoid the scene. The young |
man considered and acted and the conse-
1uence was that the next day week there |
was no young daughter at the dinner table |
of the tanker at the country house The |
house was in CONSERVATION snd a search |
made for her in all directions. A note,
however, was found on her dressing table, |
the customary prayer of forgive
ness, and one enclosed from the young
clerk, stating that believing the banker had
meant to give him hint in regard to his
laughter, and was not able to give his pub
ic consent, owing to appearances, he had
acted on the suggestion, and that ere the
banker should receive the letter he would
De his son-in- law. This pill was bitter
,ne, and the joke a terrible one against him;
20 it has only got to the ears of the purvey-
,rs of scandal and to your correspondent,
who records it as a trait of London life.
- --> >-