The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1869-02-04

not come down stairs, aud" Z.
"What the mischief has the
daughter TO do with the matter" 4"
thought lacy, but he said. a
"Ol course, | will wait any time
that may be convenient TO you. sir
| observe a good deal OF rongbDess,
but cannot doubt there is very
great Susceptibility TO improve.
mcnt. A little judicious cultlva.
tion will accomplish wonders"
"Let me Tell you, young man."
began Mr.. Thorae, in towering
rage-but Lacy saw that he had
committed some arch blundcr, and
he FASTENED to say: 'i''
d "ln short, sir, am now deter
mined TO secure this rural gem al
any price. What is the sum you
demand"
Dir. Thorne sat down upon the
graveIed walk, fairly ovcrpowercd
with the avalanche of anger which
be found impossible to shape into
words. .r.
"upon-my-word- rd-- -sir!" he be-
gan, "yeu talk as if this were a
matter Of business?'
Jack was puzzled enough. 1T
is the way ! have heretofore been
accustomed to treat such affairs"
"llerctnfore-yon have been sc-
customed! pray, sir, how many
such little affairs have yon had on
your hapds?' shrieked old Thorne,
growing purple in The face,
oh, several, sir; am not so in.
experienced as you suppose said
Jack, smiling.
"Aud you are not ashamed TO
confess III"
mo; why should | bc?' r
"Get out Of my garden, you
young reprobate!' screamed Jabez,
leaping up with lightning rapid
ty. TO come here and try TO buy
my daughter az il she were a patch
of potatoesl Go | say!'
Your daughter, Mr.. Thornc?'
Yes, my daughter, you jack a
dandy"
But, sir, I'm not bargaining for
your daughter; I'm bargaining for
that pieco ofland across lhc river. "
"Don't tell me- calculated Mr..
Thorrc, tuggIng away at tho fasten.
ings Of his pocket, book, "your un- :
cle's letter has informed me CT your
atrocious intention" .-t
"Will you allow me 10 see the
letter, sir?"
Thorne jerked it out of the com.
partment where it lay, and tossed
it aDgriIytoward Lacy. de open
ed it, and in spite Of his annoyance
and modification, burst into laugh
ter at the sight Of Minnic's dainty
hand writing. "...H
MY dear Mr. Thorne, wc are all
victims of a very ridiculous mis-
take, said Lacy, My uncle new
er wrote this letter; it is the work
of my mischievous cousin Minnie.
The genuine document must have
lie n left behind"
And you did mt come 10 look for
q wiie?'
~ camc to purchase real estate?"
"Whew.w-w!' old Jabez Thorne
whistled loud and long, and then
offered his hand 10 his guest with
u hearty laugh.
We'll, my boy, I'm heartily SOY
ry | called you 80 many opprobri.
ous names, but Mary and | thought
you were after her. | must 90
aud tell the little mink What mis-
take we have made"
Stay a moment" said Jack,
laying his hand on the old gentle.
mans arm, as his eye detected the
distant Autter Of Miss Thorne's
light dress among the trees, will
you allow me 10 make the neces
sary explanation myself? l am
not at all certain that after have
selected home, / shall not enter
into less business like negotia
tion for a charming wife to preside
over it,"
"As you please, my lad, said the
old man chuckling. IN give my
consent, if only to atone for my
treatment Of you awhile
ago"
He resumed his gardening ope.
rations, occasionally pausing 10
laugh TO himself, while cousin Jack
sprang up the path to seek Mary.
They were absent long time;
in fact, as old Jabez thought, an
unreasonably long time, before be
discerned, through the dense TO-
liage of the acacia hedges, their
advancing forms. Mr.. Lacy look.
ed exceedingly proud and selfsat-
istied, and Mary leaned on his
arm, with her pretty checks flush
ed, and her lips wreathed in timid
smiles. ........ ,.-f
"What does she say" asked Mr.,
Thorne. 3l % ' ely sd
"She says she will consider it"
answered Jack, r...H ...
A week or two afterward Minnie
Chester received q neat little pack
age containing the diamond sleeve,
buttons, and the following billet
DEAR MINNIE-lve lost my wa.
ger, but / cheerfully deliver over
the forfeited stake, for l have won
something of infinitely more value
"a wife." .....
From which we may conclude
that tho result of Miss Mary's "con.
sideration" was favorable.
1t has been well said that "the
nnnnln nnrnr hnun my lnhhv.n nnn.