The Portland daily press., 1869-12-25

est lnhaoltant; so pig, indeed, that Milly
could not bring it in herself, but had
to ask Charley Collins to give her his help.
And rich! l should rather think it was! Miss
Pinnifer's brother again created little con-
fusion by insisting on eating pepper with it.
and shedding tears when the cruet was taken
away from him; but when at last he was
prevailed upon to try it without seasoning. he
sent up his plate three times from which in
fer that he was by no means such an idiot as
was generally supposed.
The merriment by no means tagged as the
evening wore on. Mr.. Brown was the life and
soul OF the party, cracked jokes. asked riddles.
told stories, kissed Milly and Miss Pinnifer
under the mstetoe, and generally proved
himself the prince of good fellows. Forfei,s
were played, and blind mans buff, at which
latter game Miss Pinnifer gave rise to grave
suspicious as to her fair play by persisteDtly
| refusing to catch anybody but Mr. Brown and
holding him an. unnecessarily long time when
caught. After blind man S buff dance was
proposed. and carried out with great success,
John Todd performing on the violin. Miss
Pinnifer's brother had been rather gloomy
during the previous amusements. but he now
began to enjoy himself immensely, dancing
away by himself in the very middle of the
room with funeral expression of counte-
nance, and occasionally tumbling over one or
other OF the young Todds, who had rather in
definite notions OF dancing, and were a GOOD
deal in the way. But he didn't mind, NOT he !:
he picked himself up and went at it again as
If nothing had happened. One by one the
dancers stopped, exhausted; and at last the
fiddle stopped, too; but Miss Pinnifer's BROTH
er Still continued to dance, without smile on
his countenance, and without any apparent
intention OF ever leaving off. Indeed, / think
it highly probable that he would have contin-
ued dancing to this moment, had not his sis
ter by certain whispered Establishments. in
which the word pudding was plainly audi
BILE, persuaded him to leave off, and finally cot
him to bed.
The youthful Todds about this time began
SO show signs OF WEAKNESS, and were with
some dlfnculty induced to retire to rest. john
ny Iodd with the inestmable pigs tail under
MS pillow. The remainder ofthe party gath
| cred round the fire, and chatted quietly. Mr.
Brown seemed to have grown silent since
the chlldren's departure. At last after a pause
IN the conversation, he said suddeniy-..Mr.
Iodd-Fve proposition to make to you.-
Don't 60, Miss Milly-what I'm going to saw
concerns you too. This lady and gentleman
are. irlendsiofthe family and don't mind speak
ing before them. Mr.. Todd, Pm not young
man-Ive been knocking about good deal
IN my time, and mean, if can to have a lit
| tie comfort III my old years. So am looking
out for wife, and havn't seen any Young
lady SO much to my liking as Miss NIlly
| there"
AT this startling announcements MilIy
turned red and pale by turns, Charley Collins
| clenched his fists, and looked unutterable
things; and Miss Pinnifer became perfectly
rlgld, with only energy enough to turn up her
| eyes to the ceiling, and to murmur in heart
broken accents, 'Cruel-kewel manr>
John Todd attempted to speak, but Mr..
Brown continued
"Hear me out, please; and then give me
what answer you like. Pm not a young man.
as sad before, but Pm easy-going, and l be-
leve should make a good husband, rye
worked hardin my time, but I've made twen-
| ty thousand pounds, and now don't intend
to work any more, but just to enjoy myself.
MY wife viii have good time OF it, mind
you. Balls, concerts, parties, il she likes 'em,
she shall have 'em, and that's all about IT.
Now, Miss Mil!y, what do you say? Will you
be an old mans darling?"
"Mr. Brown" John Todd began, but Nilly
interrupted.
No, father, let me speak. Mr.. Brown I
thank you for your offer, and 1 don't doubt
its kindly meant. But I've given nv heart
away already las you might have guessed to-
night, and can't give it twice."
Il know, know" said Mr. Brown sadly.
But it's weary waiting, Milly, all through the
long years, and boy-and- girl fancy soon dies
away"
ours isn't boy-and-girl fancy, then. Mr..
Brown, for Pm quite sure it'll never die away
Never, never! Will it, Charley?" Charley
did not trust himself to speak, but warm
pressure Of the hand answered Milly we'll
enough.
. Don't decide in hurry, Miss AIily. There
are many things to think about, you know
your father, now. He ought MT TO work as
does nf 10 l.
falling already. Now, if you'll marry me. your
father shall have good house over his head.
nice little cottage in some quiet country
place, and need never do a stitch of work
again. And the boys shall have good school
ing and fair start in business. It's worth
thinking Of, my dear"
Poor Milly ielt utterly miserable. She had
not the smallest idea OF wayering. but Mt.
Brown had artiully contriyed that bv being
faithful 70 her true love, she should appear to
deprive her father and brothers of a host of
blessings, all Of which it was in her power TO
bestow. She could only sob out
Its very ciuel,s and burst into Tears
John Todd had made repeated efforts 60
speak, but now he broke cut in a tone that
bore down all Interruption
Mr.. Brown, for the kindness we've reeeiy-
ed from you, I'm Obliged; and don't 90 FINN
i. But I'm not obliged, sir, by your coming
lhuo my house, and trying TO steal away my
daughters affections from a Young man as
truly loves her. 1t amt fair, it amt manly
II amt honorable. And when YOU 90 and try
TO work upon her feelings along OF her old "a
t1er, that she'd give her RIGHT hand for. it's
mean and cruel and cowardly, that's what If
is And tell you what, sir,-I wouldn't fake
another kindness at your hands, no, not if /
was starving. I'm ereaky old man. sir. /
know am; and my sights falling, as Won
say; but I've work in me yet, thank Cod and
Ill work my fingers to the bones before IN
bid child OF NINE marry for money without
love-" N'
And perhaps you'll let me say word. Mr..
Brown, interposed Charley Collins. at amt
much, it's only a matter of opinion ami I'M
relieve my mind, It's my opinion, sir. that
you're a ,cantlng, two-faced, hypocritical old
''Ill trouble you to say that over again nres.
emily, young man, said Mr.. Brown who
seemed to recover his cheerfupess nder
abuse. ut might be useful, if wanted a
character, you know. Well, Mr.. Todd. then
that's your answer, is t?'
1T is SO, STRIP said John Todd with great
decision. '>"'
"And yours, Miss Milly?"
Milly's reply was of rather remarkable
description. she quietly turned round TO
neck. -'''
And yours, Miss. Pinnifer. I BEG pardon
quite forgot l hadn't asked you Question:
Miss Pinniter looked as if she wished he
had.
well" said Mr.. Brown, "sfter all, perbaps
it's just as we'll as it is; and I've had the SAT-
isfaction CT making my own acquaintance
from totally new point of view. / really
had no idea l was such a very unpleasant
person. Let me see now. Pm mean, and
I'm cruel, and I'm cowardly. That's Mr..
Todd's idea. Mr.. Collins says Pm hvno-
critical, canting, doube-faced-dea me. What
was it he topped up with ?"
"Humbug," said Charley boldly.
"OLd humbug," corrected Mr.. Brown. STERN
ly. I'm not going to let you off any of the
adjectives, my young friend. You. Miss Mil
ly, were Of opinion that l was wretch,
Il didn't say So" said Milly.
mo, my dear, but you thought so. and
that's much the some. Dear, dear! if YOUR
poor mother had only lived to hear her broth.
word L believe she'd have boxed your ears all
round"
Uncle Tom!' exclaimed Mlly.
You're qleuer Tom Hawknsw cried Mr..
Todd. -"i'
Eyes, sometimes" said the stranger meeklv.
generally, 1 may say. Allow me to intro,
auce myself, ladies and gentlemen: Thomas
Brown Hawkins, at your service. As for nv
character, I'm mean, cowardly, cruel-a
regular tragedy unc.e, in fact"
My dear UNCLE" said Milly, "of course we
didn't know. And you were only in joke, af-
ter ALL"
We'll, my dear, I'm not so sure of that
but man mayn't marry his grandmother.
you know; and rather think there's SINH
lar foolish prejudice as regards nieces. So.
on the whole, perhaps it's just as well YOU
didn't say yes"