The Van Buren press., 1871-07-11
MISCELLANY.
The Out-Wltted Father.

"And so, sir, this is your decision p
Honor, father, forbids any other. 4"
"Do you mean to say, sir, thatyou are
engaged to the girl 2
+" Not exactly; / await her decision. 1"
Then you have proposed p
q have, sir,
"And you have resolved to marry
| Miss Cameron and not Miss Dashwood p
"If Miss Cameron will accept me- y
"Yery well, sir, very well! This is
your gratitude-this your flial duty, you
self-wiIled, ungrateful dog, is return for
the trouble I've had with you--the efforts
I've made to secure you the best match
in the country! Here is fine, hand
some, dashing young woman, rich and
belonging to one of the best families Of
the country, whom you throw aside for
the sake Of paletaced chit of clergy
mans daughter"
Father"
Don't father me, sir-don't interrupt
me-don't speak tome again Get out OF
my sight But remember, the day on
which YOU marry Lena Cameron you
will cease to be my son I'll disherit you,
sir, and leave everything | have to the
new orphan asylam,
| Such was the seer eracted in Squire
Chester S parlor-a scene frequently pre-
sented upon the stage to sympathizing
and delighted crowds--an irate father,
portly, red faced, loud-voiced, with hands
beneath his coat tails Ia Pickwick, and
eyes glaring wrathfully through gold
trimmed spcctacles. upon handsome, 1t
undutirul son, bent upon wedding the
object of his souls idolatry, against his
fathers wishes. Yet in this instance it
was no mere acting, but, on the part Of
each one, serious and resolute determine
ton.
TO add to the dramatic effect, at the
moment in which the Squirc's last words
were spoken, fair, delicate looking
young girl, who was about entering the
room, catching the sound of the angry
voice, paused an instant with her hand
on the door-knob, as if hesltatlng wheth-
er to enter. And thus it happened that
she heard her own name coupled WIN
the threat already mentioned.
She turned and then glidcd swiftly up
the stairs to her own room Locking
the door, she threw herself on couch,
and burying her face in the pillows, re-
mained a long time quite motlonless
She did not weep, but when she at length
arose, her face was very pale, and her
sweet blue eyes had haggard look OF
suffering painful to witness in one 50
young
Seating herself at the table, she drew
toward her writing desk, and wrote as
follows
DEAR Cousin PHLIP-Snce our inter
view Of Yesterday, have thought the
matter over, and have como to the con.
cluson that il will be best that we should
not marry. Do not blame mc-do MOI
question me, ever. | have reasons which
/ cannot explain, but act as | thiak will
| be best for us both. LENA
"Where is Miss Cameron p question.
ed Philip of the servant who handed him
this note.
"Gone over to Elmwood, sir, TO her
aunts, Mrs. Page. | heard her say she
would stay there till her return to the
city, which would be in few days"
An hour later Philip Chester was on
his way to Elmwood The path was
lonely, leading through sequestered
wood. and he was consequently surpris-
ed when, at an abrupt turn. he came face
to face with young lady, very tall, very
handsome, and attlred in rich ridiLg
habit and floating plume. Philip lifted
his. hat, and would have passed on, but
the lady paused full in the path before
him.
Excuse me, sir; you are Philip Ches
ter ?"
lie bowed,
"And | am Josephine Dashvood
In his surprise he hardly knew what tc
say
II did not know-l was not aware OF
Miss Dashwoods being in the ncighbor'
hood
81 dare say net. You were expecting
perhaps, you and your honored tather,tc
| behold me for the first time at the resi-
dercc of my uncle and guardian, Simon
Walker. ESQ, but you see was too anx
ious to wait so concluded to run dowr
for a day or two to Elmwood on th'
strength Of Mrs. Page being an old lrienC
of my mother. WANTED to see you, Mr.
Chester"
"You do me honor" said Philip, puz
zled in what manner to treat this franI
avowal. The young lady, meanwhile
nlaved with her horses name.