The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-06-06
Misrellanp.
IS IT HOBBS. OR DoBBs?
BY MARY GRACE HALPINE.


marry"
"You want to get me into passion-that's
what YOU want. But you won't do it. No;
aggravate me as you will, I'll keep my temper,
sir"
And. to prove how perfectly cool and collected
he was, Christopher Bangs, Esq, kicked the foot
stool across the room, and then, resuming his
seat. glared at his nephew in manner that
would have been absolutely terrifying to aperson
with weak nerves, or unaccustomed to this amia-
BILE individuals pleasant method Of expressing
his feelings when things didn't go to suit him.
"How ANYBODY can see anything to admire in
that insignificant, doll-faced Sarah Ann Hobbs,
is beyond my comprehension
"And how anybody can see anything attractive
in that bold, brazen faced Mary Ann Dobbs, is
an equal mystery to me-"
"Niary Ann Dobbs is worth fifty thousand dol
lars in her own right"
"And Sarah Ann Hobbs is worth fortune in
herself"
"Oh, very WE'LL very well, young mani Go
on, 90 on Marry your fortune in herself by
all means. and then see what GENES of it. All,
now understand. Yoar old uncle isn't quite
so blind but that he can see what's placed direct
" before his nose. Now, that I've made my will,
you are very independent. But you forget that
it can be altered very easily. And I'll do it !;
yes, as sure as l see you again whispering soft
nonsense into the ear of that sly, deceitful MINK
Sarah Ann Hobbs. I'll cut you off with shil-
ling. But the day that sees Mary Ann Dobbs
your wife, I'll settle Grassnere on you, that you
admired so much together with enough to keep
it up in good style So there are two paths before
you, and you can take which you choose"
Philip Bangs made no reply to this, but there
was look of quiet determination on his face, as
he walked ont of his uncles room, very different
from its usual expression of careless good-nature
One morning. a few days after the above con-
versation, Mr. Bangs sat at his solitary breakfast,
looking over his mail with a very dissatisfied
air, for he missed his nephew, who usually
enlivened that meal with his cheerful good
humor.
"Where is Mr.. Philip" he inquired of the
servant, who brought in some fresh rolls
'Dont know, sir. He had his breakfast morn'n
an hour ago."
"Humph! wonder what's up now," muttered
the old man, as he broke the seal to the only
letter that came.
at was from,his sister-in-law, Philips mother
who was on a visit to New York, announcing her
speedy return.
Near the close was the following paragraph:
81 was glad to hear of the arrival of Miss Hobbs,
and her cousin, Miss Dobbs. Miss Hobbs is qaite
an heiress. She is called very odd-am told that
she frequently introduces her cousin as the heir
sss, for the purpose Of testing, suppose the dis
interestcdness of her numerous suitors.'
Mr.. Bangs sprang to his feet, trerding on the
tail of Ponto, who was lying under the table, and
who set up dismal howl, and upsetting the
cream-jug into his own bosom, all at one and the
same time.
"Bloss my soulr he calculated, sit isn't Dobbs
but Hobbs"
He rang the bell furiously. And then, with
out giving the servant time 10 answer it, posted
off to his nephew's room.
There was no one there but James, who was
engaged in packing trunk, and whose face had
Frightened and guilty look as he caught glimpse
of the excited old man.
"Where's your MASTER"
"Ho's gone to town, sir" replied James, drop
ing, in his trepidation, the coat he was folding.
"Gone to town, hey Z" repeated Mr.. Bangs,
looking srspiciously around the room did he
90 alone Y
IL believe not" was the stammcring reply.
"That is, he--he-"
"lIe, he I'll he, he you, you rascal if you
don't answer my questions" thundered Mr.
Bangs, who was now in one of his towering
RACES. "Tell me this instant who went with
him." f.'..' -f
''Really, sir. pom my word, don't remember
the young lady's name. 1t was Miss Hobbs OF
Dobbs"
"lIobbs or Dobbs ?" ro-echoed Mr.. Bangs
"Ea what's that !" no added, as his eye fell
upon a letter directed to "Christopher Bangs
ESQ., - @,' '-~ --
'please, sir" said james, with a deprecating
mir, Mr.. Philip said wasn't to give it to you
until evening"
Selling it, Mr.. Bangs tore it open. 1t con.
tanned only these wo'a:
"DEAR UNCLE: l nave gone to town to get
married, -" M =
"Your dutiful nephew, PHILIP BANGS"
Mr. Bangs turned the letter over and over in
his hand The perspiraton started out upon his
face.
"Gone to be married" he repeated in dismay
'and not word to tell whether it is Hobbs on
Dobbs Bring the carriage to tho door in.
stantlyw
This was done with all possible dispatch,
though hr. Bangs roundly swore that every one
engaged in executing his order, twas az slow as
snail and that che would discharge every
rascal Of EN-"
TO town he post j. beguiling the tediousness of
the way by ai,ern@tely swearing at the coach
man for not Griving faster, and re-readiug his
nephew's letter. for the purpose of getting some
satisfactory answer to the query that was upper.
most in his mind, whether it was Hobbs or
Dobbs!" .
The carriage stopped at the door of Rev. Mr..
Hitchemfast the only resident clergyman. Out
Mr.. Bangs scrambled, rushing unceremoniously
into the front parlor, where his nephew was
standing beside yelled lady, ana to whom the
reverend gentleman had just propounded the
solemn question, 'Wilt thou have this woman
10 be thy welded wife: &c.
'Hold.' he shouted.
The clergyman paused; the bride gave little
scream, and chung tremhlingly to the arm of the
Bridegroom, who turned his eyes tereely upon
the Intruder.
Mr.. Bangs made an Intellectual effort to obtain
glimpse OF the brides face.