The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1873-01-10

myself"
"And you're spending IL yourself"
growled Magog. "Now, see here
young man. what are you driving at?
What do you want 7"
Il want your daughter" answered
McGonagle.
"And you can't have her."
|. "And your daughter wants mo-"
"But she can't have you."
"Jefferson!n
Mr.. Magog sprang half way across
the room. 80
"What the deuce was that? Who
spoke r he asked; but no one an
swered. ~.
Della was staring at her grandfath.
er's portrait and trembling, while Nc
Gonagle was staring ut the same por-
trait and shiyering.
who spoke 7" stammered Magog,
looking wildly around him.
81 spokem
"'Twas the portrait" gasped Della,
throwing herself into her lovers arms
for protection.
"Ha! what? the portrait ?-my ia
therp And Mr.. Magog trembled
till his teeth fairly chat,ered.
"Yes, it is your father, Jefferson
Magog," said the portrait; and its
terrible eyes seemed to CLEAN fercer
than ever. . ,....
"Wha-what do you want Of mo p
asked Mr.. Magog, in a hoarse whisper
staring fixedly at the portrait; and
then suddenly gaining courage
"Pshaw! what a fool"
"Who do you call fool ?" demand
ed the portrait, in terrible voice.
'By heaven! I'll know the meaning
of this" cried Mr.. Magog, springine
forward and dashing his right foot
into the middle of the canvas.
Then he staggered back. "There
isn't any one bid behind there"
The portrait laughed, "Ha. ha, ha ?
but il did not smile. No, il looked
just as fierce as ever, aud that terri
BILE laugh made Mr.. Magog's blood
curdle in his veins. The color left
his cheek, great beads Of prespiratior
broke out upon his face; he staggered
back and fell into a seat.
"This is no mortal Business" he
groaned.
Jefferson" said the portrait. as
suming an injured tone, "aren't yoI
ashamed to strike your poor old fa
ther ~
"Great heavens" cried Mr.. Magog
eff you are my father, tell me wha
you want of me-"
List, o list, unhappy man." begar
the portrait Have you not alread,
caused misery enough in the world
and do you wish to add to your mani
fold sins aud wickedness by dividin:
two loying hearts,"
What" cried Mr.. Magog, spring
ing to his feet. while his eyes ROLLED
from the portrait To the lovers.
Hold not word, Jefferson" sale
the portrait, in n voice that strucl
terror TO bis heart. ''If thou dds
ever thy dear father love"
Shakespeare" muttercd Magog.-
'The old man was always fond o
Hamlet
"Then step not between this youn,
man and this fair maiden contiune'
the portrait. "They belong 10 eacl
other. Give thy consent TO thei
union."
"Never!" yelled Magog, writhinl
In agony upon his chair
"You must p said the portrait
once more in the terrible voice. u
you do not I'll appear to you"
"Good heavens" gasped Magol
springing out of his chair, turning hi
back TO the portrait, and covering hi
face with his hands. "Don'tl don't
don't" And then glancing over hi
shoulder at the lovers, "Take he
McGenagle. take her, she's yours
consent. Marry her when you will.
"Farewell," said the portrait, in
faint, far-off voice; but Mr.. Mago
answered not. He cast one despai
ing glance around and left the room
The moment that gentleman r,
tired, our hero stopped down an
kissed Miss Magog's lips.
j "Are You frightened, dear?" he asl
ed; for she still trembled. -
: 20 Hugh, wasn't it terrible ?"
"Not very, my love. Perhaps yo
didn't know that 1 am ventrioquist
"A ventriloquist, Hughl'
eyes, love-"
"And did you make the portra
} speak ?"
"Yes, my dear"
30 what splendid joke upon f
} ther," she exclaimed. laughing Fl
very joy:
he does not change his mind befo
we are married" * e
But he didn't change his mind v
have every. reason to believe, from Il
fact that there was a wedding at M
Magogs house about month afte
| ward, and Hugh McGonagle al
: Della Magog were made one flesh.-
But what is much more singular, N
. Magog never found out the secret
q the portrait; and to this day he b
: lieves that it was no mortal busines
and rs Hugh makes an obedient hu
band, and dutiful son-in-law, he
2 now satisfied with everything as it
] ---~e>-----
r STATE DEBTs. The debts Of I'll
several States range from $37 ,87s
a $50 to $500, 600, New Yark havil
r the largest and Iowa the sm0lles