The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-02-19

you know"
-cert,ia,y. Il. about eight inches high. q
near - l can guess.'
How? don't comprehend; you are only
joking?"
Indeed, I am not! All that my aunt left me
was her lion" on 20 ETtg.
"Her lion What the duce do you mean ?"
asked old Aussn.
"Why, her little bronze lion very remark.
| tached. She would never have given it to any
whom she did not esteem very highly
And that WAS all 2" -.
That Was ALL"
"Hum! ali! Ysu don't say 90! Well, your
friends thought it would be different l should
hardly consider that much Of start in life
"Nade of tho most durable material, 1 assure
you. Last me all my life. Don't think I shall
ever have to buy another"
The old gentleman did not see good chance
to say much more. and made his exit, and was
left alone with Lucinda.
Lucinda, my dear, We can never commence
housekeeping with nothing but little bronze
lion" said dolefully.
Certainly net, but we can wait"
She said this with placid smile, that almost
recosciled me t. my legacy. ~.
'But, Lucinda, what will Papa Munson say ?"
II am afraid that he is very much disappointed
He has set his heart upon my marrying some
rich man. fear that he will take some un-
pleasant course. IL it pretty lion Z"
"Oh, charming! All sorts of name, and no
end-or rather, very much end-of tail"
II am glad that you can be SO cheerful about
it, any way"
And sc we chatted on; and was agreeably
surprised that Lucinda bore up 30 we'll under
our affection.
The next morning found letter placed by
one Of the servants in Leo's mouth. 1t was from
papa Munson, disoarding my pretension to SON.
in-law-ship, and enclosing letter from Lucinda,
which, though written under her fathers eve,
was kind and afeotieaate.
Maggie always came in for her share of the
letters, and when abe did 80 that morning I gave
her those two to read.
While she did 80, she stood and stroked the
back of the little lion. don't know that he
actually wsged his tail, but he certainly seemed
to express some sort Of appreciation. I felt that
my aunt was fully justified in her attachment
for tbs lgnominous little brute. LII e.
"Well, cousin Robert, Is not one Of them all
you expected, and the other all you could wish ?"
Certainly Lucinda is quite heroic about it."
"You ought to give her the lion" -
"No, papa Munson would begrudge even his
food and stabling. can afford to keep him, il
l am poor
was sitting over some knotty accounts of the
estate, one afternoon, shortly after, when the
door bell rang violently, and in q minute after
papa Munson. The old gentleman was evident
ly in towering passion, and he had big stick
in his hand.
Hum! All! You scoundrel! Where's my
daughter"
"Your daughter ?" said I.
Eyes, my daughter. Where's Lucinda What
have you done with her 2" roared he.
upon my soul, l don't know what you mean 2"
said l.
Don't lie to me, sir Read that, sir! Read
that J" and the old gentleman handed me a letter.
1t was in the dear and we'll known handwrit-
ing, and devoured it all. As near as can re-
member, it concluded thus
"And as l am we'll aware that your consent is
impossible, l have determined to do without it,
and go with. the man love-"
And then che signed her name.
"Now, sir, will you tell me now that you don't
know where she is? Will you dare - and old
Munson fairly shouted.
was little bewildered Just then; but a an.
swered that thought could, and added, in a
taltering voice, Don't you notice that she speaks
OF him as her dear James? My namo isn't
James"
Jim Janey" shouted the old gentleman, and
I'm afraid he swore.
At all events, he brought down his stick on
the table with such force, that it knocked poor
Leos head clean off, although it hit him in the
back, where the name was thickest.
1T must be JIM" / said, as stopped to pick
up the head; but old Munson was already half
way out Of the house.
stood there with the head in my hand; with
dim idea that it was good luck that it was not
my own, when, attracted by the unaccountable
noise, Maggie Sawyer came into the room.
"Why, Maggie" said /; Lucinda has run
away with Jim Janey, and her father has broke
Leos neck to pay for it,"
Maggie actually smiled, but she answered
soothingly, How dreadful What will you do 2"
II doat think it can be mended,' said l; ''but
the stick must have had an edge to it."
"You seem to think more about losing Leo
than Lucinda"
"Pon my soul, believe 1 do !" said l. "But
lets take look at him. If he can be lnended,
you shall have him this time
SO we went to fix the head back again. OF
course, the little bronze lion was hollow, but we
never knew before that he had hinge in the
back of his neck.
"Oh what lot of papers ~ exclaimed Maggie,
peering into the cavity.
Lets have them out" said I.
And have them out we did, in moment
Bank notes, every rag of them, packed az hard
AZ wood. Who would have thought that Leo
had so much in him?
Maggie" said |, Il always said never would
part with that lion; and no more will l."
u thought you were going to give him to
mey" answered Maggie.
do :"
The head of the little bronze lion, that Maggie
held in hand, fairly shone az she answered, mo,