Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-07-24


walked to his study, where he began pac-
ing the floor as we found him at the com
mencement of our story.
A gentle knock on the library door
reused Mr.. Pennywise, and bidding the
knocker come In, he settled himself in his
easy chair, and prepared to receive his
visitor.
The visitor proved to be the governess
of the two Misses Pennywise-aged twelve
and fourteen-whose disorderly conduct
and willful destruction of wardrobe and
textbooks occasioned many visit to
the library, after the dinner hour, by the
governess.
She was neat, pretty little body, this
governess and had often attracted the no.
tice of the young bloods who came to
visit Launcelot, but she paid not the
slightest attention either to their compli-
ments or chances, attending quietly to her
pupils, and seeming wholly wrapped up
in their charge. In fact, Charley Gush-
ington, who was falling in love with every
girl he met, once observed of her to
Launcelot:
"Launce, that governess gal-what's
her name?-Amy Door?-ain't got any
heart. The only thing she could love
would be more pupils, or plenty of mon
ey"
"Good evening, Miss Door," said Pen
nywise, when Amy had entered the libra
~. what can do for you this even
ing 2"
Excuse me, sir,' said Amy hesitatingly.
Il wished to see you about my pupils, but
| can see you are grieved and agitated,
and as | fancy l know the cause Of your
agitation, l will not annoy you with my
commonplace complaints"
you know the cause?o gasped Z.
Eyes, sir; have no wish to intrude my
opinions or my knowledge but the cause
of your grief is, | imagine, the approach
ing marriage of your son. and l think he
is acting very foolishly"
You are right, Miss Door," asserted
the old gentleman--"you are right He is
acting foolishly-most foolishly"
Cannot you prevent it?" she asked.
"No; am powerless-powerles He
will wed the tailor's daughter, and dis
grace the great, the aristocratic name of
Pennywise."
There was smile playing around the
corners Of Miss Doors mouth, and sa-
tirical twinkle in her eve, as Mr. Penny
wise spoke of his aristocratic name.
"Can you not threaten to disinherit
him." she asked
mo use-no use,' groaned the discon-
ISOLATE Pennywise, "he has half million
left to him by his mother"
"a half millionn cried Amy, and the
smile and twinkle faded away, leaving her
face stern and calculating looking.
Mr.. Pennywise, this marriage would
be scandalous Listen; | know Miss
Petersham very well; in fact, she consid-
ers me her intimate friend"
my sons wife the intimate friend of a
governess,' sighed Pennywise, regardless
of the feelings Of the girl before him.
yes" replied Amy, not needing the
insult; "but she is only tailor's daugh-
ter"
ALAS. alas! too true, too true" said
the unfortunate Pennywise.
'Mr. Pennywise,n continued Amy, you
are rich, very rich, and am poor, very
poor. You regard this marriage as dis
grace to your family. | think | can pre-
vent it. What will you give me if do?"
My dear Miss Door," cried old Penny
wise, jumping up from his chair, if you
can prevent my son from marrying the
tailor's daughter, will bestow upon YOU
ten thousand dollars"
"'Tis bargain" said the governess.
''Please write little agreement to this
effect; That as soon as | give you proof
that Miss Petersham is married to some
one else than your son, that you will pay
me ten thousand dollars"
Married to some one else than my
sonn' said Pennywise, as he was writing
the agreement.
yes" answered Amy, chat is my plan
| will make her marry young man [
have in my mind now"
But my son will not permit it: he is
fascinated by this tailor's daughter"
II will see that he permits it," the gov
erness said, taking the agreement Mr..
Pennywise had drawn out and signed
My duty is to prevent his marriage with
Miss Petersham "
Yes" said the old man, ''do that and
[ will bless you;" and here the interview
ended
For the week Immediately following the
evening the foregoing conversation took
place, Miss Amy-very much to their de-
light-absented herself entirely from her
pup and she might have been seen any
afternoon walking arm in arm with the
lovely Miss Petersham.
During these walks, somehow, Mr..
Charley Gushington invariably met the
TWO ldulcS anu Jolleu tutlll III lncli Walk
nor did he seem to regard the meetings
as at all unexpected The fact was that
the willy governess had introduced Mr.
Gushing ton to Miss Petersham, and was,
unknown to them, tanning the flame that
they declared was consuming their young
hearts
Three weeks had passed since the night
Miss Amy had agreed to prevent the mar
riage of young Pennywise with Miss
Petersham when one morning the COVER
ness presented herself to the clerks in the
Office of Mr. Pennywise, and asked to see
that gentleman. She was ushered into a
private Office where she found the aristo-
cratic Pennywise very much surprised at
his visitor
"To what good fortune am / indebted
for this visit?" he asked
"To the best of fortune" answered the
governess. "Please read this advertise
ment that | am going to insert in to-mor-
row mornings papers," and she handed
him slip of paper from which he read
the following:
"GUsHINGTON - PETERsHAM-On the
18th inst at Grace Church, by the Rev.
jeremiah Waller, D. D., S. T. D., Mr..
Charles Gushington to Emeline, eldest
daughter of Jacob Peter.ham, Esq, all of
this city. No cards"
My dear Miss Dorr," said Pennywise
jumping up from his chair, "you have
saved the family-you have done wonders
I owe you debt of gratitude | can
never pay
'Well, here is debt YOU owe me that