Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-11-25
SELECTED STORY
MARRYING A FORTUNE.


Eyes, II, do it, Ralph, even if she is a
scraggy, worthless, hairless, dried up, yell
low, vinegar faced old maid. I'll marry
her-or. rather, her fortune =! and so say
ing he leaned himself back in his chair, and
commenced putting away as coolly at his
cigar as though marrying were the most
commonplace, unin,eresting affair ever
dreamed of.
.'You speak quite confidently, young
man," returned his companion perhaps
the lady in question won't have you. Don't
be too conceited, if you have been called
irresistible"
"Fiddlesticks guess my uncle's for
tune was the most irresistible part to the
New York bellies, and am certain now that
my great expectations have passed. away,
! there isn't two of them ever rem mhered as
sociating with me. tell you, Ralph, love
is all moonshine! mere creature Of the
fancy-for | have never seen pretty girl
yet that could set my heart a palpitating -
Money is what poor briehess lawyer wants,
not love; it's great deal more substantial,
too"
''Don't doubt it; but I wouldn't be tied
to an old vixen for any consideration re-
sponded Ralph land in my opinion. Bart,
you are fool if you heave yourself away
There, now, that advice is free gratis-no
fee asked--only do t. II me the whole story -
II can do that in few words About a
week ago saved a fine looking but equity old
gentleman from being upset out Of his car
riage on Broadway He Was profuse in his
thanks, learned my name, said be knew me
by reputation, told me he was wealthy, with
but one child, a daughter, and if I would
&C me down to Sea View. where he intended
to pass few weeks, he would make match
between me and her. | mod testify suggested
that the lady in ques ton might object. but
he insisted that she could not; she was de
voted to him and heart-whole. There it is.
yerbatum. then made inquiries Of friend
what kind Of girl Mr.. Lafourn's daughter
was, and they told me sic was a scraggy
old maid [ have her in my minds eye,
but it's no drawback III marry for money,
and let her afterwards take to her cats, just
the came as she does now. That's all /
am too lazy to work.
"And he relapse d into profound silence,
wondering secretly what time on the morrow
Mr. Lafourn and daughter would arrive.
'sThere. pa, you dear old goose listen
to the description Of your Nell!" exclaimed
pretty little Nellie Lafour arranging the
curtains so that the old gentleman could
overhear the conversation on the piazza be
tween the two young gentlems just men,
toned.
''Confound his impudence p growled the
old man, in rage, bringing his cane down
Justify "I'd like to see him get my dar-
ling, the heartless wretch, and my money,
ever if he has got you mixed up with your
aunt Lucille!''
"Slightly mixed up, isn'tit, pa? But,
after all, how much the picture is like her y
and she burst into merry laugh, that
caused dozen dimples to play hide and
seek around her cheeks and lips.
sHe may be blessed I'll send for him
this moment, aad I'll Ill-1'll cane him p
almost shouted the rate old gentleman.
mo, indeed, you won't, pa! you let ME
manage him, won't you, pa ? Let him come
let him imagine Lucille is your daughter
and heiress, and I your niece, with no ex
pectations. Well see how he will carry
himself.
On the next day Mr. Albertine Cover
waited upon Mr.. Lafourn, and was formally
introduced TO Miss Lucille Cover. He in
CURED after the old gents health very affec.
tionately, and soon became quite engrosscd
apparently, in the conversation that was
started, It secretly he was cycling his in
tended bride, and he confessed to himself
that the ENTHUSIASTIC description he had Civ
en- his friend Ralph did hot belle her, O,
scarcely do her justice. Just then the dool
opened, and graceful young lady, with ;
great abundance Of golden cprls and very
large eyes, walked in
"My-my niece, Mr. Cover; Mr.. Cow
er. Miss Lee," observed Mr. Lafourn ant
Miss Lee acknowledge it with slight bu
nevertheless graceful bow.
Mr. Cover was cnraptured, and the con
trast only made hip hridc-ezpeetapt NOR
ridiculous however, he determined to &C
his part, and, as chance presented itself
he whispered ia modulated tones to Mis-
Lucille that che hoped to become bette
acquainted with her." though be hated him
self for it in three minutes after, when hi
saw Miss Lees misohief-losng eyes resting
upon him, and realized that she had hear'
him, too.
:, Day after day he called, and proportion
ally he fell in love with laughing bell, an
fell out with Miss Lucille while she be
came, IN appearance, desperately enamorc
of him, and wrote him poetry by the sheet
expressing her sfeverlaating affection :
which he assured his friend Ralph sh
meant to mean the oldness Of her love, 70
he was sure she was invented in Noah
ark.
Tn vain he tried to make love to Nell. =
She accepted no attentions from 'her cou
ms lover" so she hooking y assured him
and left him more desparingly than before
At last he could not endure it any longer
and accordingly sought an interview wit
Mr.. Lafourn.
so you come to propose for my daughter
Mr.. Cover ?" queried the gentleman, whe
Y he was ushered in