Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1869-08-04
Sclrttc0 sltisfrllauD.
HOW | MADE A FOOL OF Myself.

As l sat alone at breakfast l was some
what surprised on receiving most cor
teous and pressing invitation from my un-
Gle Jeremy to spend short time with him
self and family Mt lis seat in Warwickshire,
previous to my leaving England. The old
gentleman and my father had been astrang-
ed from each other, ormany years through
some family quarrel, so that l had not
seen my uncle Jeremy, save on one occNs-
ion since my boyhood.
In consequence of my fathers death, /
had been summoned from America, where
l had been pushing my fortune with sue
cess, for considerable time, and now, hav-
ing settled my affairs, was preparing to
cross the Atlantic when my uncle's letter
reachedme.
My mother and older brother, with
whom shenOw resided, were tho only near
relatives | had in London. Fred had
long since settled down in the world with
good kind wife, and we'll knowing that
my mother would be sure to receive every
attention under his happy roof, | caredlit-
tie TO remain in England homeless bach
elor, while anythingin tho shape of mar
riage was still further from my rambling
thoughts.
Of course my brother was extremely OBJ
lging' would do anything to obligc me,
and expressed himself open ut any mo-
ment to stake handsome wager that ho
could introduce me to ut least halfa dozen
angelic creatures, The possession of any one
of whom would prove fortune in itself,
but to all these generous Offers turned a
deaf ear. Liberty was sweet, and felt in
1nT1 In I I,n ali nf IItr
men. Not that l was wild young gentle-
man, who did not care for the comforts,
and the attractions of home, but didn't
wish TO havo the onus of n household
thrust upon mo so long as felt happy
and contented alone.
Six and twenty and alone ! ha ! ha ! No
one to bother and worry you no shopping
no Midsummer and Christmas bills to
meet-Short reckonings and long friends
free as the air capital
l rose from my chair, put my back to
the mantlepiece, lit cigar and smoked
away for couple Of minutes most furious
ly, then L consulted my watch, rang the
bell, ordereda hanson, resolving to see my
brother Fred before ] accepted or declined
my'uncles invitation,
Here's an unexpected epistle Ircceived
at my hotel this morning, Fred and want
your advice upon it, said on entering his
Office.
"What are you going to get married, af-
ter all?
"Are you going to drown yourself sir ?"
said J.
'No thank you, replied Fred laughing.
"Well then" said don't asI nOnsensical
questions. Uncle Jeremy has sent me
very polite invitation to spenda week or
two with him in Warwickshire before /
leave England, and thought would Just
run down and ask you what 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, re.
piled Fred; ''but matters were put right
between them some timeago by Uncle Jer-
emy apolOgiZing and otherwise behaving
like gentleman.
"You never told me that, Fred" said /.
mo because | thought you would come
TO know all about it in due time. Bnt
see here Tom" continued my brother, re-
turning the letter, che even offers you
friendship, should you ever settle in Eng
land and that would be something worth
having 1 can tell you"
Eyes doubtless it would" said | "but
I've got balance at my bankers and can
manage very well over the water. BesidesI
don't think / should like 10 remain in Eng
land, now that I've got 50 used TO the Yam
kee fashions.
"Bosh, all bosh Tom. you'd become on
Englishman again in no time" rejoined
Fred. smiling.
"Porhaps so," said |, "but doubt it.
However III follow your advice and tele-
graph to Uncle Jeremy, saying will be ut
Marston Hall tomorrow.
''But won't you dine with us this even
ing" asked Fred.
"Oh, certainly" said 7, sat as usual?"
ayes at 6, he replied.
And We did dine Mt 6, and Il Jolly even
ing we had, but strange to say not the
least allusion was made TO my intended Wis.
it to UncleJeremys until broached the
subject myself, by asking my brother if he
thought | should enjoy the excursion and
what sort Of people l might expect to meet
there.
"Well not many of any sort, no replied,
pany, but you will have kind host and
hostess, and their daughter Agnes (who
VIII, suppose, have TO do duty as your
paniOn-in-ohief"
Daughter Agnes p ! exclaimed, "Why
she was mere child when left England"
.."Quite true. Tom" continued my
brother, ''but she is woman now, and ifT
dare hazard an opinion very fine one too"
Then glancing mischievously across the
tablehe added. "But of course we take
you TO be proof against even feminine per.
fection itself"
'Atany rate, Fred" observed rather
ssnappishlly "Tm proof against any nyassaults
from that quarter
"All right Tom, only don't make fool
of yourself, that's oil. said my brother.
"No fear ofthat" / replied almost wish
ing had declined the invitation.
Nothing more, was said on the subiect
during the evening and whom took leave
of my brother and his family ! Immediate
ly determined not 10 afford my fair cousin
the least reason TO suppose that 1 had
come 10 Marsion Hall with the intention of
falling in love with hor. t~
On my arrival ut the railway station,
where my uncle had promised TO join mo,
1 was disappointed at not finding him, and
was about to hire conveyance 10 convoy
me 70 my destination, when up dashed q
participation, driven byaromarfably hand
some young Indy, She drew up and beck.
oned me toward her. ,1,ll
''Mr. lawson presume2" said tlie lady.
eyes, tliatsmy namo, {" ropliod, bowing.
She at once introduced herself in the
most unaffected manner, excused the alb