Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1871-05-04
a Quesr OouEtship.
BY T. c. RAYMOND.

q GENIAL, bright hre IN my uhcle
cosy sitting room. We had come
from our homes to spend Christmas
with him, and merry time we had
passed. Christmas had gone, and our
visit had been protracted far beyond
our original intentions.
Uncle Richard and his wife, Aunt
Jenny, were great favorites with US.
They had no children of their own
and were always glad to have any
young people visit them, and happy
enough were we to avail ourselves ol
the privilege.
On the night in question after tea
was finished, we were gathered in the
sitting-room. Aunt Jenny was SIT
ting BY the table on which rested tie
lamp. sewing, and Uncle Richard was
gazing abstractedly into the fire, and
listening to the storm as it howled
around the house, and shook it to Its
foundations.
What a fearful night" said Aunt
Jenny, after long silence. =" was
thinking just now how we should
make it pleasant for you, lAy dears
What shall we %"
81 have it, said I, quickly, " I'm
Gle Richard shall tell us story"
GA story" said my uncle, looking
up from the fire, Z" l shall have to re-
fuse you, Nellie, 7 have no talent foi
story telling
1--WE can't let you off, exclaim-
ed. {" A story we must have, uncle
Tell us one OF your own adventures
You know you have been a perfect
Sinbad in adventures. y
Uncle Richard scratched his head
and laughed.
"Ho1 would you like love sto-
ry?" he asked.
/" The very thing. Let us hav'
one, by all means" was the unani-
NOUS reply.
We'll, then, he said, with q com
ical glance at Aunt Jenny, / IL tel
you how l won my wife.
"Now, Richard" began Aun'
Jenny, blushing.
Never mind, my dear, said my
uncle, 1T will interest them, and,
he added, with a laugh, sit may glv'
them some hints by which they may
profit hereafter.
Uncle Richard stirred the fire, anc
then settling himself comfortable II
his char, t0.d Us MS s.ory.
"You must know, my dear Chi
dren, that when / Was young ma
I was wl.at is generally termed 'vel..
fast. ! don't think | was as bad
many young men, or even as the M
ioritv Of them; but nevertheless J
was looked upon by good, steady peo
pie, IS a dangerous companion TO
their sons. was not long acquiring
this reputation. and it clnng TO M
long after 1 deserved it. | began rC
mend my ways when l was about
twenty-five, but l was more THAI
thirty before I got credit for being
better man. and it was during TIN
time that first met your aunt. /,
was a case oflove at first sight; SOM
thing, by the way, of which youns
ladies are fond Of hearing, but whicl
/ am powerless to explain. 1t wa:
real, honest. true, though, and she wa.
worthy Of it. -
Uncle Richards eyes wandered
over to WHARF his wife was sitting
and meeting there an answering
smile, wandered back to the fire, anC
he went on.
We first met at party, and al
Ter that quite frequently. I deter
mined to be a better man, and to fl.
myself for the new life which I as,
pired. Jenny saw my eff IT'S and
encouraged them. Her father, how
ever, did not believe in my good III
tentons, and when he found [ want
ed to marry his daughter was very
severe on me. l had hard time
with him before I was married, but
after l became his son-in-law, l nev-
er had a better, truer friend. The
old man is gone now, and l hope he
is happy.
The old gentleman had been a
soldier in the war Of 1872, and he
carried military discipline into hi;
family, where he was very strict. lie
was in addition to this an elder in
the Presbyterian church. and was not
at all disposed to regard any short
comings with lenency. One morn
ing I was sitting in my office, gettins
ready to 70 into court, when in walk
ed old Major Shorter.
"'Good morning, major, said l,
take seat.
"Ho returned my greeting, and
took the chair to which | pointed
He sat there for at least five minute
regarding me with a fxedness thai
made me uncomfortable. When he
had finished his inspection he placed
his stick in front Of him, and leaning
his chin on it, looked at me steadily,
and said in an abrupt manner:
Richard Sturgis, l have called
this morning on a matter which :
unpleasant to me, and which h W.
Ia better settle at once Tell me
Ira nkly what's your. motive in visit
ing ny daughter so frequently 2,
8 To be frank with you, Major
Shorter. Irepied boldly, Il am very
anxious to make her my wife.
Hump. muttered the old man,
shortly, / thought so. [ suppose
Won in-o7 to speak 10 me abou.
this matter?''
a..,. s.r, bat not for some time
".Well. tl.en. you may save your
self any fnrther trouble about 1t: to-
I'll give you my answer now. You
can t have her.
al rose to my feet in astonlsh-
roont