The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1871-02-25
AN ODD FIX.

Nnen IL came at last to asking Samu-
Ell Rowley's consent to pay my addresses
to his ward, | knew it was ali over with
me. | felt that it was all over directly
[ was shown into the library where
Samuel Rowley sat before the fire,
tOasting his equity feet, and reading
his Times newspaper [ felt it was so
completely all over with me that
would very gladly have backed myself
out of the room without entering into
any particulars as to the object of nv
visit. L would have cheerfully informed
HIM that L was an agent for Boshiter's
hair-restorer, and had called with a
sample, which might be returned if not
approved after one days rubbing But
he knew me and [ knew him. He I'M
understood perfectly well why / had
solicited the honor of an interview
with him at II o'clock, m; he was a
sharp old gentleman who had had his
eyes upon me for some time, and was
not to be imposed upon.
He said, "Take seat, Mr. -, T
forget your name !" and then he fun
bed with his glasses, and referred to
my polite epistle, which lay on the
table near him
[ took a seat and nursed my hat [
persrirod a little. | had a tremulous
motion of my knees come on which
made me look ridiculous. L waited for
him to speak, but he did not. [ began
myself, after one or two secret encoun-
ters in my throat with something
which felt very much like cork out of
a soda-water bottle.
You are not aware-that is, Won can
not hlIt no thot
garded your ward Clara with. Did
You speak, sir ~
No, sir, l did not speak
He had given an awful cough of
double knock character that was all.
He kept his glasses on his nose, and
focused me, and the operation was I'M
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 cross, in-grained old fellow :;
everybody knew it in Wolverston, and
L have no particular reason to disguise
1t here
L recommended my statement;
poured forth the best feelings of my
heart, and with an eloquence that might
have melted adamant, / confessed to
INN that Clara was my only ambition
As | have said already, [ knew that it
was all over with me, but / was poetic
even IN the midst of my desperate con-
seriousness.
Mr.. Rowly set aside his newspaper.
drew his chair an inch or two closer to
me, put his great hands-rather dis
posed to be equity, like his feet-upon
hIS KNOBS arI l. /
to foot contemptuously
May / ask your age, young MANI"
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, you hussy ~
Well Mr.. Rowley, it has been a
long attachment: my finishing school
ut. scarborough was situated opposite
her finishing school, and we saw each
other Mt church; and 1 think"
: think that YOU both ought to be
horsewhipped I" he said, fiercely inter
ruptlng me 8; land as for my consent to
Clara's engagement to boy like YOU
| will even go SO far as to say whipper-
snapper like you
A whipper- snapper, sir ~
| repeat it, whipper- !"
cried old Rowley, becoming very red
and apoplectic in appearance. q de-
cline to listen to your preposterous
proposal for one instant Clara is only
sixteen, and does not know her own
m'nd-she is mere child
But we shall both grow older, Mr..
Rowley."
Al, and more sensible, 1 hope.
Good morning"
Good morning, sir"
| did not wait to tell him of nv ex-
pectations from my grandmother. or to
reason with him on his want of Justice
aud consideration. [ went away crest
fallen and heart-broken. dashed from
the library in despair, and brought my
forehead against that of my beloved's
with a conclusion that was nearly the
means of stretching our senseless forms
outside the tyrant's den, the victims of
his cruel obduracy. Clara, naturally
interested III the result of my interview
with her guardian. had forced her pure
but anxious soul to listen at the library
key-hole. | had retired IL haste and
fioored her
"Oh, my gracious!" she sobbed forth,
" did not know you were coming out
Ike that Oh, my head Oh, how
dreadful! Oh, Alphonse, we must part
forever"