The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-11-28
Mtsceuanp.
FATHER AND SON.
A COuEDY IN TWO ACTS.
PART /.

PAkT l.
"And so. sir. this is your decision ?"
"Honor, father, forbids any other" M
'tDo you mean to say, sir, that your are snga
ged to the girl 7" 90
'.Net exactly. l await her decision"
''Then you have proposed 2"
81 have, sir"
"And you've resolved 70 marry Miss Cameron
and not Miss Dashwood?"s
IF Miss Cameron viii accept me-"
Every well, sir-vsry well This is you,
gratitude-this your ilial duty, you self-willed
angrateful dog, in return for the trouble I've
had with you-ths efforts I've made to secure
for you the best match inthe country. Here i,
fine, handsome, dashing. young woman, rich,
country, whom you threw aside for the sake of a
psls-faced chit Of clergy daughter"---
"Father." Ell
"Don't father me, sir-don't interrupt me
don't speak to me again Get out Of my sight
but remember, the day on which you marry
Lena Cameron you will cease to b son of mine.
I'll disown, I'll disnherit You, sir, and leave all
have to the new Orphan Asylum !"
Such was the scene enacting in Squire Chss-
ter's parlor-a scene frequently presented upon
the stage to sympathizing and delighted crowds
an irate father, portly, red-faoed, and loud.
voiced, with hands beneath coat-tails, Ia Pick
wick, and eyes glazing wrathfully through gold
trimmed spectacles upon Handsome and undu-
tiful son, bent upon wedding the object of his
souls idolatry, against his fathers wishes. Yet
in this instance it was no moro acting, but on
the part of each, serious and resolute earnest.
To add to the dramatic effect, at the moment
in which the Squire's last words were spoken, a
fair, delicate looking girl. who was about enter
ing the room, catching the sound of the voice,
paused an instant with her right hand on the
I-nn h has vbafh 70
And thus it happened that she heard her own
name several times with the threat already men
toned.
She turned then, and glided swiftly up the
stairs to her own room. Locking the door, she
threw herself on couch, and burying her face
in the pillows remained long time quiet and
motionless. She did not weep, but when she at
length arose her face was very, very pale, and
her sweet blue eyes had haggard look of suffer-
ing painful to witness in one SO young.
Seating herself at the table, she drew toward
her writing desk, and wrote as follows:
DEAR COUSIN PHILIP Since our inter-
view of yesterday, l have thought the matter
over, and come to the conclusion that it will be
best that we should not marry. Do not blame
me-da not question me ever. l have reasons
which | cannot explain, but act as l think will
be the best for us beth. LENA"
l.
OF the servant who handed him the note.
"Gone over to Elmwood, sir, to her aunt Mrs
Page. heard her say she should stay there un-
til her returs to the city in few days
An hour after, Philip Chester was on his way
to Elmwood. The path was lonely, leading
thtou h n ssQuestered wood, and he was conse-
Quently surprised when, at an abruDt turning
he came ruddchly face to face with young lady
very tall, very handsome and attired in a rich
riding habit and foating plume. Philip lifted
his hat respectfully, and would have passed on,
but the lady paused full in the patti. before him.
excuse !aeyou are Mr. Philip Chester 2"
He bowed.
"And 7 am Josephine Dsshwood"
In his surprise he hardly knew what to saw.
81 did not KNOW was not aware OF Miss Dash
woods being in the neighborhood.' }at
II dare say not. You were expecting, perhaps,
you and your honored father, TO behold me- for
the first time at the residence Of my respected
uncle and guardian, Simon Walker, ESQ But
you see was to anxious 10 wait, 80 I concluded
to run down for n day or two to Elmwood. on
the strength OF Mrs. Page being an old friend of
my mother. | wanted to see you, Mr. Chester"
You do me honor" said Philip, puzzled in
what manner 70 treat thi, frank ayowa This
young lazy meeting, she resumed, ''iar was
Just thinking how it would be possible 10 obtain
private interview
Philip started.
81 believe" continued she, coolly, chat there
has been some arrangement made concerning u
by those two old mean by your much honored
father and my highly respected uncle itte'
matrimonial scheme, if am not mistaken Veryi
kind of them, doubtless, though it might hayel
been kinder to have left us to choose Tor our.
selves, and be happy in our own way
Philip
May trust you''
IF YOU will 10 me the honor" ho replied.
still coldly.
An, see you don't like me; but you will after
awhile This then, is my secret 7 am in love,
bray don't be alarmod-not with you"
"Ihanli you" said he, almost involuntarilv.
Nlth very handssms, very clever, very
worthy and deserving young man. resumed
Hiss Eastwood, with unmoved seriousness
ebut poor. And you are in lsve with one equal.
lyperfect but suffering under the same stigma"
She looked at him seriously now with her
dark eyes, and he inst the gaze frankly.
NOV We understand each ether" she said,
resuming her former tone and manner "and
now we can act AS seems best to us under the
circumstances 1t won't do to rebel openly
against those two old fogies-I beg their pardons
those wiss and venerable old gentlemen; but
We can manage quietly to circumvent them, and
nave our own way-can't we?"
Perhaps you have formed some plan to that
effect ?" said Philip, half amused and half in.
terested.
"You shall hear" she answered. 81 am told
that your dear, delightful father admirss .dash.
ING ladies, wants dashing daughter.in law and
mistress of his establishment. You will dine to.
morrow at Elmwood. Be sure not to disappoint
mrs, Page, who knows all about it, and takes
tender and motherly interest in the affair We
will Loo N.lathar Tia ola ~a.Ila.aa.