National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1867-11-29

more. OF course Hal put her right,
and hailed an omnibus, informed
the driver that this lady must be
put down at Twenty-second street,
and saw her drive away, nodding
and smiling from the window to the
great amusement of two damsels in
jockeys and wax bead necklaces.
Charlie was gone out of sight. Some
of his friends might have faneied he
had something to do with the old
woman, had he waited.
Hal found him at dinner, relating
the story with embellishments to his
mother and father and young sister.
sSlle had black straw bonnet,
with a great bow on it, q regular
coalscutt!a, and hand basked, and
an umbrella a mile long, with a tre
mendous hook on the handle, and "a
short, blue frock, and yarn stock
ings and leather boots, and a plaid
shawl said he, 'and people asked
me whether it was Halls grand
mother, or whether he had married
a tavern keepers widow for her
money!
no one spoke about the NATTER
said Hal, quietly eating his beef,
'and if [ had heard any remarks, |
should only have thought less of
the person who made them. was
only doing my duty
1T certainly is nobody's duty to
play the gallant to all the snabby
old women in the cars said Char.
lie. However, do as you please
It's all one to me, only catch me
travelling with you under such cir
cumstances.
Hal Rawlcy was an independent
sort OF fellow under circumstances
which might have maze some time
serving and 'NmbiG liko Uriah lieer.
lie did what he thought right,
though lie was the poor relation OF
the family, and had only a situation
in his uncle'S office, which Charlie
would have scotfed at. Such as it
was, he was economical enough to
pay his own way with the salary,
and now boarded with his uncle, al
though he might have lived there
free ofeXpense, and have cut adash,
instead of dressing as plainly as any
mechanic.
Charlie rather despised him for
the latter fact. \ man in kid gloves
was much greater in his estimation
than man with bare hands. And
only an IDIOT, he often thought,
would wear a little, soft hat, value
two dollars when, by accepting IA
vors, he might have spent ten upon
glossy 'stove-pipe.
Hal thought differently. He was
kindly fellow, too, always doing
something for somebody. Little
crossing -sweepers were sure OF pen
MES when they saw him approach
mg. He set the broken legs of va
grant dogs, delivered distracted EN-
ielants to their friends, like lost par
GELS, and was always stopping sta
ees, handing up fares and making a
martyr of himself i'll press OF pas
sengers in the city cars. lie under
took errands for his aunt and cous
in. and always brought back the
shade of worsted or width OF ribbon
that was wanted, and never sale
that's not my place. when some
Troublesome affair found no one els,
to undertake it at the Office.
Charlie could be polite and oblige
inc when it served his interest.
The next day at dinner time, Mrs
Brown, who had been paying call
all the forenoon, was found i'll
state of great excitement. Some
thing was on her mind. At last, ,sh
gave it utterance.
who do you suppose has come t.
the city. Mr.. Brownr she said.
Can't guess said Mr. Brow
Queen Emma "
Queen Fiddlcsticlis" said Mrs
Brown. but you will never guess
men are SO stupid! Aunt Charlotte
aitcr whom we named orr Charlie
Actually l found the old lady at til
Bnrnev's. As queer as ever. wv Ii
didn't YOU come straight to IN
Aunt Charlotte /! said |. Forge
your street. she said. So Pm
send carriage for her tomorrow
, Charlie now do remember how ric
she is, an not another relation
, near as we are, and you are name
after her-do he attentive!
a IN do the correct thing, mamm
Don't fdget, said young hopefu
} 'rll get Hal to teach me how to pa
proper attention to the old woman
/. 'rhe best of her money Mt inte
! est all her life-for she spends not
= ing. said Mrs. Brown. And tn
/, row of brown stone houses and Il
= place mt lIoptown. She must
= worth Mt least half a million. i
: worth little trouble, Charlie!
@ Charlie began to look excited.
;. "A fellow conld enjoy himselfwi
,. that sum- he said, 'Did you !
: mind her of her namesakei
4 YES, said Mrs. Brown. And s
q said she hoped he had grown up
be like the young men OF her you
% days ~
y iAll bows and ilourishes, eh w
70 I'll please her. said Charlie. 'Do
be afraid mother. III act as esc'
,r and adorer to two old women
# half a million. II she want
4. aunt, I'd make all sure by mar
V ing her!
N And Charlie meant it.
The next day, all in the Bro