Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1869-04-23
HOW I MADE A FoOT, Or M
SELF.

time with himself and family at his
seat in arw1ckshire, previous to my
leaving England. The old gentleman
and my father had been estrauged from
each other for many wears throne6
some slight family quarrel, so that ]
had not seen my uncle Jeremy, save
on one occasion, since my boyhood.
In consequence of my fathers death.
1 nad been summoned from America.
where had been pushing my fortune
with success for considerable time
ana how, having settled NV affairs
was preparing to recTOss the Atlantic.
| Wnen my uncle's letter reached me-
MY mother and an elder brother with
whom she now resided, were the only
near relatives 1 had in London. Fred
had long since settled down in the
| world with good and kind wife and
well knowing that my mother would
9e sure 20 receive every attention un-
der MS happy roof, cared little to re.
main in England homeless bachelor.
whilst anything in the shape of mar
rage was still further from my ramb-
ing thoughts. Of course my Brother
thing he could to serve me. and ex-
! pressed himself open at any moment to
stake a handsome wager that he could
Introduce me to at least half a dozen
angelic creatures, the possession of
any one OF whom would prove a for
tune IN herselfi but to all these. gefier-
| GUS oners L turned deaf ear. Liberty
was sweet. and I felt in no haste to
sacrlflce 1t on the altar of Hymen. Not
that L was wild young gentleman,
| who didn't care for the Comforts and
| attractions of home but didn't wish
I TO have the Onus of a household thrust
| upon me so long as I felt happy and
cOntented alone.
SIX and twenty and alone! ha, ha!
No one to bother and worry .vO1I-uo
snopp1ng-no Midsummer and Christ
mas bills to meet. Short reckonimgs
and long friends-free as the air-cap-
itall
I rose from my chair, put my back to
the nantlepiece, lighted cigar, and
smoked away for a couple of minutes
most furiously, then I consulted nv
watch rang the bell, ordered a hand
som, resolving to see my brother Fred.
before L accepted or declined my un-
cle's invitation.
Here's an unexpected epistIe re-
CeiYed at the hotel this morning. Fred,
and wat1t your advice upon it." said
l, entering his Office.
"What are you going to get married,
after all?' he asked.
Are you going to drown yourself,
sir 2H said I.
No, tn ank you," replied Fred,
''Weli, then,' said I, 'sdon,t ask nom
sent very polite invitation to spend a
week or two with him in WarWickshire
before I leave England, and thought
would just run and ask, S6d what I
should do in the matter"
"Why-accept it of COURSE" said
Fred.
''Well, but does it not seem strange, )"
asked; ''for always thought that he
and our father were never on very good
terms.'
"No-they were not for many years, -
replied Fred, ''but matters were put
right between them some time ago by
UhCle JerenJ's apologiziug and other
wise behaving like gentleman"
''You never told me of that, Frs0,"
said
''NO, because thought you would
come to know all about it in due time.
brother, returning the letter, che even
offers you his friendship, should you
ever settle in England, and that would
be something worth having, I can tell
you"
"but I've got a balance at my bankers
and can manage very we'll over the
water. Besides don't think I should
like to remain in England now that
have got used to the Yankee fashions"
"BOsh, all bosh, Tom; you'd become
an Eng1ishman again in no time" re
joined Fred, smiling.
Perhaps So" said 1, i'btit I doubt it,
However, I'll follow your advice and
telegraph to Uncle Jeremy, saying I
will be at Marson Hall tomorrow"
'But won't you dine with us this
EVENING"" asked Fred.
"Oh, certainly" (" said I; Sat six O'Clock
as usual ?'
eyes, at six,'' he replied.
And we did dine at six,' and jolly
evening we had; but, strange to say,
oil al
intended visit to uncle Jeremy's, until
broached the subject myself by ask
ing my brother if he thought I should
enjoy the excursion, and what sort Of
people might expect to meet there,
"Well not many of any sort, he re-
piled, ''for don't think they keep
much company; but you will have a
kind host and hostess, and their daugh-
ter Agnes (whO will, suppose, have to
do duty as your cOmpanion-zn-chlef.' y
Daughter Anges!' I exclaimed
''why she was mere child when left
England
"Quite true, Tom," continued my
brother, "but she is a woman now; and
if dare hazard an opinion, a very fine
one tOO;' then glancing mischievously
across the table, he added, ''but of
course we take you to be proof against
even femme perfection itself"
cat any rate, Fred" I observed,
rather snappishly, ''I am proof against
every insult from that quarter"
''All right, Tom; only don't make
fool of yourself that's all said my
brother.
''No fear about that . 1 replied, now
almost wishing had declined the in
vitation.
Nothing more was said on the sub
ject during the evening; and when 1
took my leave of my brother and his
! family, Immediately determined not
to afford my fair cousin the least reason
to suppose that had come to Marston
Hall with the intention of falling in
| love with her.
ON nv arrival at the station. where
my uncle had promised to join me,
was disappointed at not finding him
and was about to hire a conveyance to
carry me to my destination, when up
dashed park phaeton, driven by re-
markably handsome young lady. She
drew uD hastily and beckoned me
| towards her.
''Mr. Lawson, / presume?'' said the
lady.
| ing.
She at once introduced herself in the
most unaffected manner, excused the
| absence of her father on account of in
| disposition, hoped had enjoyed my
Journey, was glad had come, because
| they saw so little company; and, in
been long familiar to each other.
AT length, after seeing my baggage all
right, took my seat and then asked
in the politest manner for permission
to take the reins.
"Oh, no, thank you, cousin, - she re-
| piled, with provoking smile playing
about her Wel-formed mouth. II am
rather fond of driving, besides, you do
not know the way so we'll as / do, and
these ponies are apt to become restive
! 0unefirT1pas sO think had Iaattay. L oar1
my post till we get home"
merely bowed in acquiescenee,
though I did not exactly like her little
/ speech. and the next moment we were