The Van Buren press., 1874-06-30
MISCELLANY.
Fred's Probation.
BY WILLIAM II. MAHER.

"And you believe in that dandyf'
81 believe in him"
"Well, you are as big fool as he Is. "
Thank you. sir. y
She did not finch under her guardian's s
scornful gaze, but looked at him AZ Sc
reney as if her doing so was necessary
to show that her faith was strong.
Mary Ellison was not a girl to give her
faith lightly, as her guardian, Doctor
Burgess, well knew; and it was this
knowledge that made the present intelli
gence all the more aggravatlng. He had
brought her to Swampscott against her
inclination; had rejoced when he saw
her enjoying herself among the young
people, and had even been glad when
Fred Seward began to devote himself to
her. Yet here he was now in fury with
himself and every one else because Fred
had asked for Mary's hand.
What was there against Fred2
Everything, the doctor would have
told you: he was the idlest Of all idle
young men; he was foppish in his man
ner of dressing; he was somewhat loud
in his conversation in word, he was
of no use to himself or any other living
being
Mary would have told you that he was
the best companion she had ever met at
all times her beau-ideal OF gentleman ;
well educated gentle hammered; posses
sed Of good taste; very unselhsh; and
with temper that nothing could rufile.
Fred, answering for himself, would un
doubtedly assure you that he was equal
in all respects to the average young man
of society. His family was among the
best he had q comfortable fortune; he
did not drink or gamble; and he had
graduated at Harvard
But, with all these things in his favor,
Doctor Burgess did not think him
worthy OF his niece and ward, Mary Ell
lison.
"You say you love him p he contin-
ued
"Yes. sir I"
"And what do you know about him ~
" 1t is not necessary to 60 into that,
Uncle. / have learned to love him, and
/ have nearly told him So. y
But, my dear. am as sure that he is
unworthy of you as l am that am sit.
ting here. "
Have you any grounds for that opin.
ion ?"
~ have grounds for it in my knowl
edge of human nature. You fancy him
q well, educated, brilliant man, because be
can talk in glib manner ofthe thousand
and one nothings that make up society
talk but | can see that his five years at
college have left him no real knowledge,
and that he has nothing in his head but
roth
- do not think you understand or do
him justice. "
81 am sure that l do him more than
justice. "
- cannot see it as you do, Uncle. !
find his habits are good, his family equal
to OURS
"A Gg for his family" broke in the
doctor. IL care nothing for any such
nonsense as family. | never yet knew
family to provide food or keep a man
from neglecting or abusing his own
household. | want to see man with
some fixed principles to govern his life,
and with some ambition to fill the place
in the world that God has given him to
fill +"
"And you think that Fred does not
possess these qualities 7"
II do. If he did 1 would not say a
word against him. F"
"lf can prove to you that you are
mistaken, you will not refuse your con-
sent to our marriage p
Prove that am wrong, and will be
as happy as you are.
Very well, sir; will do It,"
A couple Of hours aftcrward Fred
called upon the doctor to learn his de-
cision, and was much surprised to have
his proposals quietly rejected. To tell
the truth, such an ending had never oc-
Cured to him as being possible. lie
looked up with amazcnrnt.
Does not Miss Ellison love me, sir ~
MY niece has commissioned me to
say that she might have loved you, but
that she could not consent to marry
you"
"And what is there In me or In my
life that would make marriage so unde-
sir ble, sir ?" the young man asked with
some pardonablc pride.
81 can be frank with you, young man,
if you really desire me to be. y
II will be thankful to you il you will
be very plain with me. D."
Then, what my niece objects 10. and
what object to much more strongly is,
that you are OF NO use In the world.
Don't start do not mean to insult you,
but do wish to point out to you that
your life is fri,tered away in bathrooms
and under lamp-light, and in worshiping
the life of a society man, instead OF NIL
ing q place in the world that God sent
you here to occupy"