Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1869-02-25

young Lacy .sprang over the hedge and .salutet
him with buoyant "Good morning. Well, sir,
he went on gsily, "I have seen the property--aalm
perfectly delighted. a fine, healthy investment,
no disease about it, Tn convinced" 20,
"Hum p said Mr. Thorne, obviously.
"And I would like to make q second and s
more thorough inspection in your society, sir, i
you please" -. ''r
"Really, Mr.. Lacy" said the old man, I'm,
daughter has not come down stairs, and
"What the mischief has the daughter to do with
the matter !" thought Lacy but he said;
'Of course, will wait any time that may be
convenient for you, sir; Iobseve good deal o1
roughness, but I cannot doubt there is very great
susceptibility to improvement A little judiciouE
cultivation will accomplish wonders.
"Let me tell you, young man, began Mr.
Thorne, in q towering rage but Lacy saw that be
had committed some arch blunder, and he hasten.
ed to say - :"
I'm short, sir, I am now determined to secure
this rural gem at any price. What is the sum you
demand?" ...- ....... ..... ..
Mr.. Thorne fairly sat down in the gravelled
walk, overpowesed with the avalanche of ,ange,
which he found impossible, to shape into words.
r"Upon-my- word -sir?" he began; "you
talk as if this we're a mere. matter of business J!
Jack was puzzled enough 1T is the way ]
have always heretofore been accustomed to treat
such affairs.' '.' 80 ~. '"''- -. :.
Heretofore you may have been accustomed
And pray sur, how many such little affairs have
you had on yeur hands?'' shrieked old Thorne,
growing purple in the face. ..".
"Oh, several, sir, am not so inexperienced as
you suppose" said Jack, smiling.
"And you are not ashamed to confess it p
"No; why should l be?" = .... :.
"Get out Of my garden, you young reprobate r
screamed Jabez, leaping up with lightning rapid
|ity. 'To come here and try to buy my daughter,
as if she was patch Of potatoesl Go, sayP
"Your daughter, Mr.. ThorneH" -
eyes, my daughter, you jack-ardandy
but I'm not bargaining for your daughter; I'm
bargaining for the land across the river !"
"Don't tell me-" CALCULATED Mr., Thorne, tug
ging away at the fastenings of. his pocket-book,
'yonr uncles letter has informed me Of your afro
cious intention"
"Will you allow me to see the letter. sir2"
Thorne jerked it out of the compartment where
it lay and tossed it angriy toward Lacy. He open
ed it, and in spite of his annoyance and mortifca-
ton, burst into laughter at the sight of Minnie s
dainty handwriting.
ssMy dear Mr.. Thorne, we are the victims of q
very ridiculous mistake" said Lacy. "My uncle
never wrote this letter. It is the work Of my mis-
chievous cousin Minnie. The genuine document
must have been left behind"
"And you didn't come to look for wife.
"I came to purchase real estate"
"Whew-e-w |" old Jabez Thorne whistled loud
and long, and then offered his hand to his guest
with hearty laugh.
swell, my boy, I'm heartily sorry I've called
you so many opprobrious names; but Mary and
thought you were after her. I must 60 and tell
the little mink what blunder we've made"
'sStay moment" said Jack, laying a OBTAINING
hand on the old gentleman's arm as his quick eye
detected the distant futter of Miss Thornes light
dress among the trees; will you allow me to make
the necessary explanation myself / am not at oil
certain that after I have selected home, l shall
not enter into less buriness-ke negotiations for
charming wife to preside over il"
"As you please, my lad, said the old gentle
man, chuckling "I'll give you my consent, il
only for my villainOus treatment of you little
while ago."
He resumed his gardening operations, occasion,
ally pausng to 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 foliage of the
acacia hedges, their advancing forms. Mr.: Lacy
looked exceedingly proud and self:satisied, and
Mary leaned on his arm with her pretty cheeks
flushed, and her lips wreathed in timid smiles.
"What does she say" roared pater tam'ikas.
'She says she will consider it, answered Jack
demurely. .
A week or tvo afterwards, Minnie Chester re-
ceived neat little package containing the diamond
sleeve buttons, and the following billet:
s'Dear Minnie-Tve lost my wager, but cheer
fully deliver over the forfeited stake, for I've VOL
something of infinite more value-a wife. "
From which we may conclude that the result Of
Miss Mary's consideration was favorable.
ABUSE OF THE FRANKING PRIvILEGE.-Th
WASHINGTON correspondent of the Cincinnati Com