The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1870-12-15
AN ODD FIX.

When it came at last to asking Samu-
el Rowley's consent to pay my addresses
to his ward, knew it was all over with
me. felt that it was all over directly
I was shown into the library, where
Samuel Rowley sat before the fire, toast
inS inv biz gouty feet, and reading his Times
all over with me that would very glad
ly have backed myself out of the room
without entering into any particulars as
to the object of my visit. would have
cheerfully informed him that was an
agent for Boshiter's hair-restorer, and
had called with sample, which might
be returned if not approved after one
days rubbing. But he knew me, and l
knew him. He understood perfectly
well why L had solicited the honor of an
interview with him at twelve o'clock A.
N he was sharp old gentleman, who
had his eyes on me tor some time, and
was not to be imposed upon.
He said, "Take a seat, Mr.. - for
get your name;" and then he fumbled
with his glasses, and referred to my po-
lite epistle, which lay on the table near
him.
took seat and nursed my hat. /
perspired little. 1 had q tremulous
motion of my knees come on, which
him to begin, but he did not. l began
myself, after one or two secret encoun-
ters in my throat with a something
which felt very much like cork out OF
soda-water bottle.
"You are not aware--that is, you can
not but be aware-that have long re-
garded your ward Clara with Did
you speak, sir I"
"No, sir, did not speak"
He had given an awful cough of q
double-knock character, that was all.
He kept his glasses on his nose, and TO-
cused me, and the operation was un-
pleasant. He was not pleasant in his
reception of my statement either; he
was decidedly unpleasant, not to say
desperately disagreeable. But then he
was a cross, ill-grained old fellow /;
everybody knew it in Wolverston, and
have no particular reason to disguise it
here.
1 recommended my statement; l
poured forth the best feelings of my
heart, and with an eloquence that might
have melted adamant confessed to him
that Clara was my one ambition. AS
have said already, knew that it was all
over with me, but was poetic even in
the midst of my despairing conscious
ness.
Mr.. Rowley set aside his newspaper,
drew his chair an inch or two closer to
me, put his great hands-rathtr dis
posed to be equity like his feet-upon
his knees, and surveyed me from head
to foot contemptuously.
"May ask your age, young man"
he said.
This was my weak point of defense,
but told him.
Seventeen"
"And how did you first become ac-
quainted with my Clara, who is a year
your junior, the hussy!"
"Well, Mr.. Rowley, it has been long
attachment. My finishing school at
Beesborough was situated opposite her
finishing school, and we saw each other
at church; and think"
al think that you both ought to be
horsewhipped !" he said, tiercely, inter
rupting me; "and as for my consent to
Clara's engagement to boy like you
Twill even go so far as to say a whipper-
snapper like you"
"a whipper-snapper, sir"
"I repeat it, whipper-snapperP y
cried old Rowley, becoming very red
and apopleotic in appearance. 81 de-
cline to listen to your preposterous pro-
posal for one instant. Clara is only six
teen, and does not know her own mind
she is a mere child"
"But we shall both grow older, Mr..
Rowley."