Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-03-24

My father is willing to give so, 900 for
the property--hemu must have it, if possible "
''And you have been quietly laughing at
visitor. Il am willing to give $40, 900 for
the property, but | preferred it for SIS, 600,
which is considerably above its value to any
one but myself. Is it bargain, then, at
$lo,000?"
Mr. Helmwood, y said /, as felt the color
rising IN my face, ''one thing you will please
remember in this matter-I did not offer my
property for sale, nor had | any idea of dis
posing of it; but much to my surprise, was
solicited by you to part with it. l am not IA
sharp woman'-a character that | partic.
ulary detest-as | have lost nearly all the
little possessed in foolish ventures; and
after your sons visit to me | went,
much perpexed, to consult my friend, Mr..
Portman, through whose assistance | was
enabled to buy the house. He advised me to
accept Mr. George Helmwood's offer, and
explained to me that you would be an i'm
mense gamer by purchasing my little proper
ty, even at this extravagant price. L have
a great horror of taking advantage of any
one, and | was afraid that it might not be
quite right to receive SO much more for a
thing that had given so little for.
my dear Miss Mapleton, replied Mr..
| Helmwood. with manner of great respect,
81 should never think of fastening upon you
the term of sharp woman; but you will
Oh; I Inn aS a
remarkably clever young lady. You are quite
right in saying that the property is worth
more than SlO,O 600 to me; and | give it the
more cheerfully since | have seen the owner.
But shall certainly have good laugh at
George for his style of doing business. Per
haps however, had l been his age instead
of mine, should not have acquitted myself
any better"
This was rather embarrassing, and hast
ened to say: ''Mr. George Helmwood could
not have mentioned to you that have rent
ed the premises.
''Oh, yes; he did say something of the
kind But will undertake to reconcile the
inmates to a change of residence, provided
have your consent to proceed in the matter.
Finally l gave it; it seemed to be the
best thing l could do; and just as he was
leaving, Mr.. Helmwood scrutinized me close
ly, as he asked:
''Will you allow me to inquire, Miss
Marleton, if Mr.. Sylvester WilliDgfeet is a
relative of yours p
''He was my grandfather" | replied.
81 am very glad TO hear it p" he exclaim-
ed, seizing my hand warmly. He was one
of the old merchants of this city, and a
valued friend of mine. Many pleasant hour
have passed in his hospitable mansion
where, besides entertaining his equals, there
was an especial table set for the poor every
day The grand daughter of such man
should not
BE earning her own living'' said l see
ing that be hesitated His grand daughter,
sir, does not consider that she is disgracing
either him or himself by such course"
| knew my head went up an inch or two,
and that my eyes flashed: for he said, kind
ly; You have just his look-a little haugh
ty at times, for he was thorough bred old
aristocrat. | was troubled the first moment
I saw you to decide whom you resembled so
strongly. And now, my dear young lady,
you will, [ hope allow us to look upon you
as a friend My wife will call at once; and
I hone very soon to welcome you at our
house, as have 55cen so often welcomed at
your grandfather d"
''Well, Bernice Mapleton," said 1, wne"
| found myself alone with that individual,
what do you think of yourself now? Are
you really yourself or somebody else? Or
have you been dreaming all these bewilder-
ing things2'
Mr. Portman congratulated me on my
good fortune, laughing heartily at my ac-
count of the interview with Mr. Helmwood /;
and by the next morning | was so fully per-
suaded that things were what they seemed
that bought pound of French candy to
celebrate the event, and tried to inveige
Miss Plidget into sharing the feast with me.
But that wary female, who was given to
dyspepsia and other absurdities, solemnly
worked her way through one sugar plum,
analyzing it all the while. as though it had
been a fragment of quartz, or something
else equally indigestible, and then absolute
" refused to touch any more.
was engaged in exploring the recesses of
the neat little bonbon bag when Mrs. Helm
wood was announced; aud went tc receive
a warm embrace from the most elegant look
ing old not lady, but middle aged lady, Il had
ever seen. Her features were regular and
beautiful, she was perfectly dressed, and
had the air of dowager duchess. She in
sisted upon my going home with her at
once on visit declared, in answer to my
objections, that | was not a stranger, as she
had known my grandfather well and finally,
1 was deposited in lovely square room.
surrounded by every luxury, ard expected
to remain for an indefinite period
There were no daughters, and only that
one son; so Mrs Helmwood declared that
it was real charity for young lady to en-
liven their dulness 1t was certainly a
very pleasant task, as | enlivened my own
at the same time; and l felt very thankful for
the advantage of having had grandfather.
Master George and were rather shy of