The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-08-14
BDDEFoRD ME-, FRIDAY MORNING, AUGUST H. 1865


largo hlo Of agricultural journals, 10 fnd
some coveted information on the subject o
'phosphates and super phospl,atcs,' wher
servant brought him carl and a letter.
arhe gentleman 10 In the parlor, SIR"
Jabcz Thone had laid aside his newspa
pers and glanced at the card, which bors
the inscription OF "John Lacy"-,hen a
the letter, which purpotcd to be introduc.
tory to that individual.
"liunl-ha-from an old college cllum
Chester, as live. Remarkable change ia
his handwriting, but time alters Us all.
haven't heard from him ~ twenty years
halo what Is this A pretty cool request
upon my nephew wants wife, and
has h.nnl that possess daughter-ha,
lots OF money-wants me 10 aid him with
my well known experience In such matters
What does the old rascal mean ," ejaculat'
ed the old man, the fringe Of grny hnir thai
surrounded his bold head standing absolute
ly}ect with indignation. "l'll send jeff:
crs TO kick the impudent young scamp ou
Of tho house,"
But with o moment OF reflection came
calmness
We'll, after 6ll, don't see what there !,
in this matter to make me so foolishly an
cry. Guess I'll see what Mary says. An
excellent family, these Chesters-and ihi,
letter ia just like Zebedee Chester-he VA.
always singular in his notions. Rather un
like the ordinary method Of coming to an
understanding In such matters, but there is
nothing like dash Of originality In This
world, and IL the boy Is rich, and Mary
don, object-ut nny rate, I'll see him on
the subject"
Aud JHbez Thorne thrust the letter into
his pocket and strobe deterlninedly into the
parlor where young Lacy was quietly await.
ing his appearance. Tho old gel!leman''
face was scarlet with embarrassment; he
wa, half fdisposed to I've angry at his guest !,
cool self possession.
81 had thought Of settling in this vicin
ity. Mr.. Thone," raid Jack, after the cere'
monies Of greeting had been exchanged
"and understanding from my unole that you
had a desirable piece Of property that you
might be disposed to part with
"Piece Of property" raid the old gen
tlelnan, beginning TO fire up again; but he
controlled hs emotion, and only answered
"Really, sir, this is u very strange request
One can hnnlly I've expected to answer def
nitely upon so very short notice."
,'Certainly not. Mr.. Thorno. ] have nc
wish to hurry you.' said Jack. politely
"but am rnther anxious 10 do for myself
ani II you would favor me with brief de-
scripIion OF the promincn. features Of
But Mr.. Thorne was fdgeling uneasily
in his chair
aWha. do you mean, sir'" he exclaimed
wrnihr,lly.
Jack was rather perplexed at his cavalier
reception. but he answered as courteously
as possible:
.Why, sir, Of course 1t Is not best to bt
prccipila,e on a matter of such import
ance."
If this Is a fair specimen Of the rising
generation thought The indignant Jahcr
"ihry arc about Us impI'lent a set Of jack
,rarspes ns I want TO see. But ] owe some
thing to my long friendship with old Zebe
dsf--i won't turn the puppy oat OF door
o. yet"
cy blandly.
"What is healthy ~
"Your property. Sometimes, In these
low grounds, diseases are apt to prcvnil
and-'
"Does he expect my Mary has tho fever
and ague2" thought old Thoriie, leaping
briskly out Of his chnir as though an insect
had stung him.
all send my daughter to you, young
man-that will settle the business at once v
And before he could suppress his sur
prise. his clloleric host had hunge,l the
door behind him and disappeared.
Mary TIorne's astOnishment was even
greater than that of her father. She was
aiiired in white muslin. with u bouquet OF
crimson moss rose-buds in her bosom, and
spray of the same exquisite flowers in her
hair. for some rural pnrIy or picnic. an,l al
first absolutely refused TO enter The Inrlor.
"Nhat an idea she exclaimed, blushing
To Tho very tips of those tiny, sl'ell.like ears.
"To bo pllt on exhibition like one Of your
prize cattle! No, indeed Let the you ng
man 20 back where he came from a
pretty impression he must have OF the la.
dies in this quarter ofthe globe ~
"I,ut my love, Zebedeo Chester is one
ofmy oldest friends, and the young man is
really fine looking fellow, and nch into
the bargain. Go in aud talk 10 him little
while, there's good girl. ] cant stand 1t
a minute longer
And old Jal,ez wiped Ills forehead, ON
which Precipitation was standing in big
heads. Mary burst into an uncomfortable
ft Of laughter.
"rhe whole affairs so ridiculols:" she
exclaimed
But she adjusted the mos, roses, never.
iheless, and lripped demurely into the par
lor
Now, if there was determined point in
Jack Lacy's character, il was his aversion
to women in general. and if there was any
one thing on which he prided himself !.
was his old bachelorisln. Imagine his vex.
alton and dismay, therefore, when, after a
formal introduction. old Mr.. Thorne with.
drew, leaving him tete.a.tete with tho pret
~ creature in white muslin and roses. II
was embarrassing every time he looked Ut
her, and she evinced on exceedingly great
disposition to laugh.
swell, thought Jack, "tho manners and
customs Of this locality are rather odd, to
say the least oft came to consult an
old gentleman about purchasing land ol
him. and he bounccs Git of the room and
sends in his daughter. What on earh am
to say to her, Id like to know?"
And Mary, glancing silly in the direction
OF her companion, came to the conclusion
that he had "beauiifnl Spanish eyes" and
mo,slnche decidedly superior In style to
the hirsuie ndornmen,s OF the young gentle.
men Of Thornville.
Mr. Lacy looked up at tho ceiling and
down at tie carpet, AMI wondered what
the consequences would be were no to es.
cape incon,inen,ly by The open window.
That would not he very dignifed pro.
ceed,ng, however; 70 he resigned himself
to destiny by making some original 70
marks ON the weather. Il had the much
desired effect Of lrraking tho ice. however,
and he was greatly surprised with tho srch
vivaciiy Of Miss 'rhorne. Only onco did
she seem confused; Il was when she had
been describinga fine grove Of cedan that
belonged to her fathers land. regretting st