The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1871-11-16
thought something of you, but you know a
man without means would be foolish to think

man without means would be foolish to think
of marrying"
u have strong. hands, and may say, a
brave heart, and though deprived Of fortune,
l can earn enough to support myself and an
other. e.
"It is useless to pro!ong this controversy,
Mr.. Spriggins," said the old man. "As a
man OF honor, you will certainly offer to re-
lease my daughter from her engagement
Of course, if she does not accept your offer
of freedom as the best thing under the cir
cunstances, 1 shall have nothing more to
say. Good day, Mr.. Spriggins; l am in
somewhat of hurry"
"In hurry, is he?' muttered Sprig,
gins, as his intended father in-law disappear,
ed from view. Seems to me everybody is
in hurry now that meets me. An, lun.
derstand it. The sickly smile, the furry and
hurry, means that they want to drop me
from their list Of friends. Well. they shall
be accommodated. But there's one friend
that 'sticketh closer than a BROTHER she will
not desert me- There's great consolation In
that"
So saying he hastencd to sec her.
He found her in tears For the first time
since engaged in trying his experiment, he
felt like very mean man. lie would have
confessed at once what greai liar he had
been making of himself, but that would have
been rather awkward undertaking.
"You have not learned" said he, "that |
have met with sudden reverse of fortune.
Your father tells me that the only honorable
course for nc is 10 offer to release you from
your engagement. And, while doing SO,
permit me to say that if after being released
from your engagement with Spriggins the
rich man, you will plight your faith to him
as a poor man, | shall be the happicst NOR
tai on earth. l want to be an honorable
man, and so give you your freedom"
Miss Du'cina sobbcd convulsively, but fl.
nally succeeded in speaking through her
sobs SO as to be understood
"You are very kind, MIR. Spriggins," she
said II am very sorry that our engage
ment must be broken off, for did like you
very well"
And so the hopes that Spriggins had en-
tertaned were dashcd to the ground. His
Dulcina liked him very well, but liked his
money better; and so when she imagined it
was gone, she, too, lett him.
Without another word he strobe off from
her presence, different, but by no means a
better man.
$50! SOP he muttcrcd, THE engage.
ment on her part has been a mere matter Cf
money, l am as good, and great deal
wiser"
"You arc right" said he to me. This
world is humbug. There is not man or
woman among all my friends that's worth o
pinch of snuff. But [ will be revenged. /
have plan in my head that will spite cd
Smith delightfully."-"
Mr.. Spriggins seemed to have been struck
with new thought. He left me abruptly,
and I saw him no more for several days.
Meantime the news was spread around that
Sprggins was not bankrup-that it was all
hoax.
The next time saw him, he told me wi tn
q sort of malicou pleasure that he had got
about even with his friends" Said he:
"I know of an investment that will no
doubt pay at least fifty per cent. | called ON
Mr.. Smith and explained the thing to him.
He was highly pleased. and offered to ''go
snooks." 'Bu',' s.Id |, you have M mon
ey' I've called on the rest with n like re-
suit. and I'm revenged."
Mr.. Sprigsins really laughed, but it was
rather a disagreeable laugh.
IL met, said he, ''the father of her [ once
intended to marry. He was very friendly,
but told him was in hurry and could net
stop t. tak-my tim, being too precious,
And every time those false. hearted friends
smile so pleasantly, pass ON and tell them
I'm in hurry"
l suppose Mr.. Spriggins has had his re-
venge, but he is very sad man, now. lie
is an old bachelor, and VOWS that girls care
more about money than a good, true heart:
lie says, too, that the love stories scattered
around the country arc without foundation in
real life Poor Spriggins! lie has learned
at great cost the truth that,
"where ignorance is bliss, tits folly to be wise. y