The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-08-14

rvs cheeks as she fed out Of tho room
without worl Of reply.
| Very singular family this" mutterct
Jack, slowly drawing on his gloves, and
walking down The broad path. ''But she J,
an unco,nmonly pretty girl, and certainly
will take an early walk through the grove
Of cedars tomorrow morning before break
fast"
He dreamed Of blue.eyed Mary Thorne
that night, and rose feeling decidedly salts.
ied That he could have a reasonable ex'
cusc for calling at her fathers house &c
soon.
81 certainly can he In love-" quoth he
mentally, "but how Minnie would tease
mo if she thought was In any dan
ger Of suing not only for farm but
WIFE"
Old Jabez Thorne was busily engaged
nipping The dead leaves Of his pet Taurus
linus with gigantic pair Of garden scissors
that morning, when young Lacy sprang
over the hedge and salutcd him with
buoyant
"Good morning!" "well SIR" he wen!
on gaily, IL have seen the property, and
am perfectly delighted. A fine. healthy
Investment; no disease about il, I'm con-
vinced."
alum :" said Mr.. Thorne obviously.
"And I would like to make second
and a. more thorough inspection In your
society. sir, II you please"
"Really, Mr.. Lacy" said the old man
sharply, "my daughter has not come down
stairs, and
",Yhat the mischief has the daughter to
do with the matter" thought Lacy, but he
said
"Of course, I will await any time that
may be convenient for you, sir. ] observe
good deal OF roughness, but ! cannot
doubt there is very great susceptibility to
improvement. A little judicious cultiva'
ton will accomplish wonders"
Let me tell you, young man." began
Mr.. Thorne, in towering ruge,-but Lacy
Jaw that he had nnconsciously committed
some arch blunder. and he hastened to
say; - s.,,,,,;,., -
secure this rural gem at any price. What
is the sum leinanded?"
i Mr.. Thorne fairly sat down upon the
grayeled walk. overpowered with the ava
lanche Of anger which he found impossible
to shape into w0rls.
"Upon my word-sir" he began,
"you talk as if this was mere matter ol
business :"
Jack wns puzzled enough. at 10 the
wny have heretofore been accustomed to
treat such affairs"
s"fieretofore-you have becn uccuston'
ed! And pray, sir, how many such little
affairs have you had on your hands 2
shrieked old Thome, growing purple in the
face.
"Oh, several, sir am not 50 inexpcri'
enccd rs you suppose" said Jack, smiling
"And you are not ashamed to confess
Ih?'
mo; why should I be?"
"Got out Of my garden, you young rep
rebate ~ screamed Jabez, leaping up with
lightning rapidity. ITO come here and r.,
to buy my daughter. as if she was u patel
Of potatoes! SO, ! say.
"Your daughter. Mr.. Thorne" |" -.
"Yes, my daughter, you jack.a.dandy J
"But I'm not bargaining for your dauglI
ter; I'm bargaining for thut land across the
river"
aDon't tell me-" calculated Mr.. Thorne
tugging away at The fastenings Of his pock.
ct book, "your uncle's letter has Informed
me of your atrocious intenlion."
"WiiI You allow me to see the letter. sir
Thorne jerkedi it out Of the compartment!
where il lay,.nnd tossed It angrily toward
Lacy. lie opened il and spite ofhis annoy.
ance and modification, burst into laugh.
ter at the sight Of Minnie's dainty hand.
writing.
MY dear Mr.. Thornr, we nrc all the
victims of a very ridiculous mistake" said
Lacy. 'My uncle never wrote this letter.
Il is the work Of my mischievous cousin
Minnie. The genuine document must have
been left belind."
"And you didn't come to look for n wife,"
III came to purchase real csintc."
"Whcw. Wv" old JubeZ Thorne wlis.
tied loud and long, then offered his hand
to his guest with hearty laugh.
"Well, my boy, I'm heartily sorry ] call.
ed you opprolrious names, but Mary and !
thought YOU were after her. must 20 and
tell the little mink what a blunder we've
made
.Stny moment" said Jack, laying n
detaining hand on the old gentleman's arm,
as his quick eye detected the distant fuiter
Of Miss Thonne's light dress among the
trees, "will you allow me to make the nee.
cssary explanation myself? ] am not at al
certain that, after have selected home,
shall not enter into business-like negotia
tons for charming wife to preside over It,"
AS you please, my lad," said the old
gentleman, chuckling. "I'lI give my con.
sent, if only TO ntone for my villainous treat.
ment Of you while ago.
He resumed his gardening operations,
occasionally pausing TO laugh to himself.
while cousin Jack sprang up the path to
seek Mary.
They were absent long time; In fact,
as old Jabez thought, an unreasonably long
time, before he discerned through The dense
foliage of the ncacia hedges their ndyanc.
ipg forms. Mr. Lacy looked exceedingly
proud and self satisfied, and Mary leaned
on his arm, with her pretty cheeks flushed,
anil her lips wreathed in tinid smiles.
.Whut does she say? rosred poterfa-
milias.
"She says she will consider Of IT," an.
swered Jack deinursly.
A week or two afterwards Minnie Ches.
ter received neat little package containing
the diamond sleeve buttons, and the follow.
ing billet:
.DrAR Minnie. los, my wager, but
I cheerlnlIy deliver over the forfeited stake,
for I have won something oi Infinitely more
value-a wife,"
From which we mny conclude that tho
result Of Miss Mnry's ''conslderation" was
favorable.
ORio,s or rHE FLOATING IcEBEaos.-
The valley Of Greenland are all filed
with glaciers, oi which some have an enor.
nous extent. They are always 10 motion,
gliding downward like riveas Of nearly
solid matter, which have their outlet In the
-. .,ix ,hsir rnotion In exceedin0lv slow.