Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-05-26

| "lDooWs with canary olIds and plants, and
I'd have blre carpet and blue silk chairs
and sofas"
"You like blue?"
VERY much it is my fayorite color
''Blue it shall be, thenl" cried the de.
lighted bachelor. ''Mrs. Cope if you should
decide to take the house, you will please re-
serve these rooms for me, apd-and Mrs
Peterson, at fifty dollars week p
Il shah be very happy, SIR" said Mrs.
Cope. JEANNE, stop laughing; you be-
have exactly like little school girl. You
will give me till to-morrow morning sir, to
decide?"
Certainly, ma 'am-certainly."
And with tender pressure to JEANNE s
little white velvet hand, Mr.. Petre Peter
son bowed the widow and her pretty daugh.
ter down the brown stone steps.
ITS as good as settled" muttered Mr..
Peterson, rubbing his hands complacently.
by Jovel she's grown to be the prettiess
girl in town. Mrs. Petro Peterson lit
don't sound SO very badly, after all. RI
show the poung slips what the old bachelor
can do in the way of matrimony''
As he turned, chuckliDg, to enter the front
door, already in imagination leading Jennie
Cope to the flower decked alter, alight foot
fall sounded on the steps behind him, and a
slender good looking young man of some
| four or five and twenty stood beside him.
''Good morning, Uncle, 'he cried, breath
lessly.
Good morning Joe," returned Mr.. Pc
terson, roddiDg to Mr.. Joseph Franklin, his
only nephew What brings you here in
such hurry?"
''Is your house let yet, uncle?"
"Yes-no-I don't exactly know" re-
sponded Mr.. Peterson, a little awkwardly.
What does it matter to you whether it
is or not, hey, you young scapegrace ?'
Much, sir. To tell you the truth, /
was thinking of renting it myself
You"
Yes, l. I'm going to be married next
week, uncle
"a very sensible plan," said Mr.. Peter
son, beamingly.
I'm glad you approve of it, sir and in
case my wife and | conclude to take a few
boarders, can | have your promise to con-
slider you as one?"
That is, in case you take this house?''
"Yes."
81 can't promise in fact, I think have
already engaged myself" said Mr.. Peter
son, Importantly. ITO speak plainly. Joe,
I've some idea of marrying myself"
you uncle ?' exclaimed Franklin in
amazement.
''And why not?" testify demanded Mr.
Petro Peterson, his bald crown turning
pink with excitement. I'm not Methu-
selah neither am Catholic priest Why
shouldn't get married?''
There's no reason on earth why you
should mt, uncle" responded Joe, smoth-
ering laugh; "only, you see, you took me
rather by surprise. In that case, why
should mt we have the pleasure of accoa o.
dating both Mrs. Peterson and yourself?'S
Because, sir. said Mr.. Peterson, SEN
acknowledgements my mother-in law
that is to be takes boa rders, in genteel
sort of way-and I've all but promised my
self to her."
"All but There's chance, then, Of
"a very slender one. unwillingly admit
ted Mr. Peterson,
''And if you should make no other ar
rangement, you will let us have the house?"
Yves, suppose so.''
''There can be no harm in my bringing
her to look at the house this afternoon, af
ter Office hours2''
''No, l suppose not"
And with this ungraciously accorded per-
mission, Joseph Franklin was forced to be
content, HhiM Mr.. Peterson went back to
his room to think about Jeannie Cope.
81 do believe l am in love-" thought our
middle aged hero. 'I'll take cigar-no
won't, either. Jennie may object to
smoking, and a man that's as good as mar
ried ought TO be little careful about such
things.
He was making little pencil estimate
about the probable cost of refurnishing the
apartments he occupied with velvet and
satin, according to Jeannie's not particular
ly economical ideas, that same afternoon,
when Joseph Franklin entered, flushed and
proud.
'Shes down in the parlor, uncle -
SIS she?" said Mr.. Peterson. Sixty
nine and three are seventy-two; and twice
that is
You'll come down and see her uncle,
persisted Joe, impatiently.
''In minute. Twelve and sixteen, and
there, then, Joe, how can a man add up
his accounts with you stamping round the
room like wild buffalo? Yes, yes, I'll 60
down and see her, and then perhaps l shall
have little peace of my life.'
He gollowed mis- nephew resignedly down
to the parlor, thinking, the while, of far
other things, and suffered himself to be led
to the little sofa in the bay window, where
slender young lady was sitting, toying
rather nervously with parasol
''Uncle.' said Joe, proudly, this is my
promised wife. JEANNE, this is uncle Petro
Peterson.
"Jeannie Cope! !" gasped the astounded
bachelor