The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1873-11-19

wind, to drink q glass Of grog and
smoke a pipe with an old man oi
sixty? Common sense answered No,
and, having fair stock Of that
commodity, SO also said Farmer
Martin.
"l'he girl he's after, and it's time
to put a stop to this nonsense" ,"was
the conclusion he arrived at.
And so the very next evening
that | rode over, before Gertrude
and / could finish our third game
ofchess, Mr.. Martin put his head
into the room, and said, in a dry,
dignitied kind Of way
allen! Could | speak with you
a few minutes in the front parlor,
Mr.. Rush?"
| think knew what was coming,
and SO did Gertrude, tor she grew
very pale and upset the chessboard
in her agitation, SO that kings,
queens, bishops, knights and all
the smaller fry went rolling over
the room.
Meanwhile | followed the old
gentleman into the front parlor-
that horrid room wherein every
thing was buried in chiltzes or yell
low muslin, and where a fire was
never lighted more than once a
year and here be opened the trench.
es, not angrily, but collectedly
calmly, deterninedly, informing me
that bis daughter never could be
mine, for that he was a tolerably
wealthy man, and he had resolved
never to wed his child to one who
was not possessed Of a portion equal
to her own.
In vain | told him how much |
loved his daughter, that she loved
me in return, and that we could
never exist apart from each other.
The old man merely smiled sarcas-
tically and, pointing to my uniform,
said:
"The man whose very coat is not
bis own and whose pay is only seven
shillings and sixpence day cannot
marry my heiress."
He laid q strong stress on Che last
word, and don't know what pos
sessed me, but | replied:
"And what may be the extent OF
your present wealth, Mr. Martini"
The question was certainly
very rude one but the old gentle
man did not seem to regard it as
such, for he answered, simply:
"Well, three months ago | had
four thousand pounds in the Bank
of Australasia, but | took it all out
and expended it in the purchase Of
additional stock and in improve
ments OH my farm; | daresay | am
worth altogether twelve thousand
pounds, and Gertrude will be the
sole possessor when die"
"lhen you don't object to me in
myself, Mr.. Martin, but only be-
cause I'm poor?" | said, bitterly.
"JuSt SO my boy. | object on
principle; but, to show you that !
bear you 10 personal animosity,
come into the kitchen, and we will
honor your last evening among us
by q glass ot'my best grog, and some
tobacco such as you hayenot tasted
for many a long day"
"Stay a moment" / cried.
"Were | as rich as you, Mr.. Martin,
would you give me your child?"
"Aye, that l would lad, right
willingly" was the reply.
"And directly I am as rich as
you, If Gertrude is then single, will
You consent to our mariage?' !
persisted.
"Aye, verify, ! will, on my word
ofhonor, Mr.. Rush. Butwhy talk
Of imposHbilities9" he added;
"where are you going to realize d
sudden fortunep"
All! where was /? My heart
sank as / asked myself the question,
and / followed the old man into
the kitchen in almost heartbroken
silence. A bright tirewas burning
on the hearth, for CRATES are still
very rare in Australia, in fact, they
4 a N 4 laa -