The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1868-04-23

estate was considered worth E1,8OO, a
year, but was, Of course, entaied on his
brother. Then he inherited from bis
aunt, his mothers sister, Mrs. c., on
the death of her husband, the reversion
of a house, No. -, in Kensington Pal
ace Gardens. The old gentleman, his
uncle by marriage, was over eighty, and
in his dotage, and though he did not
like to calculate beforehand on his
death, still it was valuable property
even if he chose to sell the reYersion
during his life. This, however, he
should not do, nor could he afford to
live there if it fell.in; but he proposed
10 take a moderate e-sized house in some
part of Belgravia, which Fanny could
furnish according to her own taste.
Mr.. Raven could not name, nor could
he exactly know what income he de-
rived from his literary pursuits Suffice
it to say it was considerable and in
creasing. "Adam Bede" alone was in
its sixth edition, and his following
works seemed likely to have quite as
good run; but he had other means
from which he drew his resources be-
sides his pen. Until Mr.. Raven had
seen Mr.. Green he had not liked to
hasten matters; but now, so far as he
could see, his present work would be
completed in about three months, dur
ing which time, for reasons associated
with the work, he must request that
his privacy might still be respected,
and his address kept secret Then
there would no longer be any reason
for delay, and he hoped Mr.. Green
would consent to give him his daughter
at once. Mr.. Raven then proceeded
to say, that as they were on the subject,
might he, without offence, intimate
that, when once established in his own
house in London, and be had his friends
about him, it would not be quite in &C.
cordance with his position that dear
Mrs. Green should continue to receive
boardars as now. He honored her ex-
ceedingly for enaeavoring thus to repair
her broken fortune by increasing her
income. Yet there was no knowing
who might get in her house, and with
her unsuspicious nature she might admit
people like the Bedfords, for instance,
who, instead of remunerating her for
all her cares, would bring trouble and
unforeseen expense, or even worse; for
so deeply were the schemes of adven-
turers laid it was difficult to cope with
them. However, he had little pro-
spective plan to propose which he hoped
might be agreeable to all parties. Dear
Fanny had often expressed wish to
travel, and he intended after their mar
riage to spend some time on the Cont
nent. During that period, if Mrs
Green and Emma, her daughter, would
kindly inhabit the house he should take,
and supervise the establishment, he
and Fanny could return at any time,
and feel they had a home ready to re-
ceive them. OF course, he added, he
should leave a sum at his bankers in
Mrs. Green's name, on. which they
could draw for the expenses they in
Cured on bis behalf As to references,
if Mr.. Green wished he could apply to
his solicitor or his publishers.
Mr.. Green had been taking in as fast
as he could follow the history of his
son-in-law elect, and the prospect de-
tailed. There was nothing he could
cavil at, but before he had time to make
an observation, or form a question, Mr..
Raven turned on him, and in the most
gentlemsnly manner, said: "My dear
sir, / have been open with you; may
|, on my side, now ask you what set
tlement you are prepared to make on
your daughter? Doubtless, with your
talents, you have ere this realized an
independence, for believe from what
/ have learnt from dear mother, that
You are not following any profession;
aud yet ! hear you are mixing in good
society, and are fond of hunting, shoot
ing, and other gentlemanly pursuits"
Mr., Green was for the moment rather
taken aback, but his ready wit and
quickness did not forSake him. "YOu
are quite right, Mr.. Raven" he said,
''in your turn, to make any inquiries
you like. My own history is told in q
few words. My father was country
squire, and, as you justly observe, dear
mother carries in herself certificate of
what her former position and family
must have been. An open-handed
hospitality, which knew no limit, and
through which our house was daily
filed with the surrounding county fam
lilies; a pack of hounds, a good cellar,
and consequent expenses, diminished
little by little my fathers once we'll
filed purse; for Notwithstanding my
mothers entreaties, his pride forbade
bis drawing in his expenses, or making
any reduction in bis establishment
The consequences were that the estate
became involved, and at his death l,
who had been brought up in expecta-
ton of inheriting my fathers fortune
and position in the county, found myself
in the most embarrassed circumstances.
On examination into the affairs, ]
discovered that, after liquidating all
claims, there was but bare maintain
ance left for my dear mother and sister"
(Mr Green did not think it necessary
to state how he had reduced that pit
lance by the constant applications he