The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-06-20
WON BY PR 0 Ky.

marrying my daughter
"But why not, Mr.. Merrill, why not
have you any reasonable objection to m.
person-my character ?"
"Your person? o, no--exceptin:
you're too confoundedly good-looking
If it had been otherwise, Eva might b
little more docile now"
"But my character, Mr.. Merrill hav
you any fault to find with tha.Y"
mo, you seem honest enough; l d'
not suppose that you would steal--tha
is, anything besides my daughter, and
shall take pretty good care that you dt
not steal her.
Then what is it, sir, may ask ?"
"Afr. Reldon, Eva has been spoiled
and pampered and petted. She does no
know how to do one useful thing. Wha
kind of wife would she make pov
man like your"
"But / am not poor; have larg,
salary. l could not, Of course, give he
a carriage and horse quite yet,nor DO,
at the opera, but she would not be oblig
cd to exert herself at all. / shall b,
perfectly we'll able TO keep servants ant
dress her handsomely, even richly"
"But you may lose your salary at an.
moment"
81 have the confidence Of my employ
ers, Mr.. Merrill, and they are exceed
ingly kind"
1t is of no use to say anything more
1 am very decided about this, and I be!
that you will drop the subject. wisI
you to discontinue your visits to m,
daughter at once. shall be very glat
to hear that you are prospering in tn,
wo:ld. but l cannot give you Eva. Th,
comfort and happiness of my daushte
are my first and last consideration" ia
"BLt she loves me, sir.' "r
"She viii get over it; young girls
hearts are no, reliable. Good morning
Mr.. Reldon; I have told you my wish
pray do not oppose it." .5f 3t.
The young man seized his hat ant
quickly withdrew; but as he was passin.
the parlor door, n little white hand wa
laid upon his arm, and he was draw
into the room and eagerly questioned b,
the lovely owner of the aforesaid hand
What did:he say, Henry; what did III
sayf" 27.
"He forbade my coming to the hous,
at all, Eva" 35a1 tt-H2 s.et
She laid her head against his arm ant
burst into tears. Drawing her closel,
to him, he talked in low, soothing tones
until suddenly raising her eyes to his
she said, 81 cannot give You up. If yot
cannot come to see me, l shall 60 tt
you"
ooh, my darling, that will never do
"Then are you willing to felinquisl
me so easily? ?'' she asked, drawing her
self away from him.
s'No, dearest; never, never; but WI
shall be obliged to resort to stratagem
and / have friend who will assist me
l must 60 now; if your father should
find me with you he would be very au
gry," and after pressing his lips to hers
he tore himself away.
William Curtis was seated in his Office
hat on, and his feet resting upon the
mantel-piece, in regular bachelor fash
ion, when Henry Reldon entered, look
ing eager and excited
"Glad to see you,old fellow" exclaim
ed the former; shut, see here, what's the
matter? You look little down in the
mouth, it appears to me"
"Will, 1 want your assistance" II
"How, where, and when."
II want you to WOO and win lady
for me
"What's that? ?"
"Just what said, exactly"
"But surprising she should be like the
fair maiden of olden time. and say, why
dost thou not speak for thyselfT You
know, Henry, I'm not such bad look
ing fellow"
II know that, Will, but I'm not afraid
My little Eva is as true as Steel"
20, it's the fair Eva, is it? Why,
what's the matter there, that you do not
60 in and win her yourself 7"
"Her father has forbidden me the
house, because I haven't money enough,
but he will never object to you, as you
are one of fortunes favorites,you know.
SO / want you to devote yourself to
Eva, and give me chance to meet her
when her father thinks she is with you"
"Well, 1 don't know, Henry it is put
ting me in o very dangerous place. Miss
Eva is very fascinating young lady
However, if your heart is set upon it'll
run the risk What shall / do first p
"Go and invite her to ride, then when
you get to Meridian Lane I'll relieve you
for awhile of your charge"
"Why, Henry, you are better at ma
neuvering than imagined. When shall
ii be?" -.f ..... s...
"Call upon her TO night, and invite her
to ride out with you to morrow after
noon, then I will meet you at the place
mentioned"
"All right; but what am to expect
for this friendly service?"
There is younger sister coming on,
Will"
"Well, that is according to taste, you
know. Maude is pretty girl and will
soon make her debut in society but you
had better have your eyes open."
That evening the gentleman called, as
upon Miss Merrill, and invi
ted her to ride the following day. At
breakfast her father said to her:
EVA, l am quite willing that you
should encourage Mr.. Curtis attention !;
he is very promising young man.
"And has plenty of money" she adj
ded, drily; parents are always willing
to encourage the attention of young
men that have fortune, or the expecta-
ton of one. Money redeems a multi
tude of sins. They may drink, cheat. .or
steal, if they are only rich. But if a
man 10 relying upon his own exertions
to make his way in the world, no matter
how good and honorable he may be, he
is treated like vagrant or felon. 1
hate such injustice"
"Don't grow i'll natured, Eva; it woulI
soon spoil your beauty
III had rather te ill,natured than mer-