The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1873-05-09

know his ways.
There was something in fathers
tone which made Alick aware that he
had better drop the subject. Uncle
McFarlane went on with his paper,
but now and then glanced over il with
an expression of some interest,"
Nancy is pretty" he said to him
self. There is something in her face
which reminds me of my mother"
breakfast being over, my uncle put
on his overcoat, asking, as he did so,
his invariable question, "Have you
any commands for the city 7"
And, by the way, please see that
everything is done for Sans family.
The poor woman will perhaps be the
better for some port wine, or ale, and
let everything be nice about the tuner
al. l will take the expense on my.
self. Sam is good faithful fellow
"Really Nancy is very pretty !!
said my uncle, as he. walked out OF
the house. Il never thought much
about it before, but she is decidedly
pretty. Miss Regina Schuyler, in.
deed. Really Bonsall is too bad TO
put such notions into the boys head"
And Mr.. McFarlane pursued his way
to The Office, unconscious of the fate
awaiting him there.
ANY letters, Saunders ?" he asked
as he passed the clerks desk. II see
the packet is in"
Yes, sir: They are q1gour desk
and Mr.. Bonsal is waiting 10 speak
to you in your room. What ails Mr..
McFarlane! Z" said the clerk to him
self, as his principal passed ON. Il
don't believe he ever before forgot TO
ask Tor my wife. hope nothing is
wrong" Mr.. Saunders had an inva-
lid wife, who was indebted TO Mr..
McFarlane for many little comforts.
Mr.. Bonsall was waiting in the of
fee. He was a stout man with red
hair and whiskers, and bluff, un-
compromising manner. He had n
habit, on which he prided himself, OF
always speaking his mind"-tbat is,
of saying everything and anything
which came into his head-a habit
which did not cause him To be beloved
by his acquain,ances. lie aud Uncle
McFarlane had once been partners,
and they still kept up kind of init
macy at which many people wondered.
We'll, BonsalI, how goes the world
with you ?, asked my uncle, leisurely
taking off his coat and ovcrshoes.
"Oh, well enough. Ii il don't 90
10 suit me, / make it, that's all, an
swcred Mr.. BouSall. But, see here,
McFall lane, | didn't come here to
DANDY compliments. | want to talk
10 YOU about a serious matter"
Nv ell, what is IL" asked my uncle,
preparing 10 listen, not without long
ing glance 1T his foreign letters and
papers.
''lm going TO speak my mind. as
always do!' said 9lr. Bonsali Il
want to know what you mean TO do
about Nancy :"
About Nancy" repeated ny
uncle. with little start. Nv hat
about Nancy"
AYE, what about her?-that's just
il. OF course you can't go on as you
do now. IL was well enough when
the old lady was alive; but her death
changes at that, aud folks will talk.
Nancy's all old maid, TO be sure
iorty. if she's an hour"
"Thirty-tive!' said my uncle, cor
recting him.
wv ell. five years don't matter much.
She's AN old maid. as | said. Still
folks will and do talk, and you onght
to get rid of her. The truth is, Nc.
Farlane, you ought 10 marry again.
aud of course you can't with Nancy
in the house"
You think so?
"Wby, of course, not. There's
Miss Regina. Schuyler, now. Shed
jump at the chance of marrying you;
but you don't suppose she would set
up housekeeping with Nancy How
ard, do you z"
81 must beg, Bonsall, that yon will
not bring Miss Schuyler's name into
question: said my uncle. "Such lib.
critics are not to be taken with re
spectacle young ladies'"
: Liberty or not, she wo1ld have
you 10 a minute. And there's another
thing about it. Nancy Howard is
dead in love with you, herself, and Of
course you can't marry her-that il
out of the question"
Nancy Howard" repeated my
uncle, ih tone OF bewilderment
"To be sure, man. Amy one bu,
you would have seen it, though Nanc,
is not the woman to throw herself al
any mans head, I'll say that for her
My wife has known it this long time
and l can see it, too. OF course yo,
can't marry her. She is old, and poor
and plain, and 10 delicate health be
sides. So, of course, all you can dc
is to get rid of her. Send her home
to her native place with a pension
marry Regina Schuyler, and begir
life anew.
Does Mrs. Bonsall really thinl
that-tbat Miss Howard entertain
such sentiments 2" asked my uncle, &
Mr.. Bobsall paused for moment
Women see such things more clearl,
than men"
"Ot1 course she does. She wa
talking Of it last night. 'Nanc,
ought TO have change, says she, &
she don't she'll go off like her sister
She's D quiet, patient creature say
she; 'put it is easy to see what all
her. Now, you see, her Icing con
sunptive is another reason why yol
can't fmarry her. So, there! Pv,
spokeh my mind as I always do; ant
l hope you will have sense enough t.
act upon it,"
Il shallscertainly act upon tt" salt
my uPcle, calmly.