The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-08-15

father looked with lll-taVor on any WHo as
pircd to her hand, and the stcp'molhcr nae
in especial dislike to all school teachers
probably she remembered her own unpcas
ant sch0ol.davs.-So when the boarder began
to make advances toward the daughter, he
met with opposition from the parents. Think
ing that bold, straightforward honesty might
avail something, he took the earliest oppor
tunity of asking the consent of the parents To
address the daughter. The consequence was
that he soon found himself another boarding
place
But Tom Granger was not the man to be
frightened, or TO give up so readily. "ha'
difference to him if the father and mother
were openly hostile to his plans The oDlect
of his affection had not refused TO see nm,
=. and was not likely to refuse. He would not
even give up his visits to her SO he would
come into the house. sit down by her side,
and chat for two or three hours ut time 4;
and Mr.. Kent would scowl, move uncasily,
and tell the others the time of day, when the
clock was where every one in the room could
see it; and Mrs. kent's ewes would snap ana
flash in manner surpassed only by fourth OF
July fireworks; yet the only thing that trou-
bled him was a fear that Lonic did not love
him we'll enough to marry him.
Presently rival came in Toms way, and
got the advantage by gaining the good will
of the mother. He was a Young store keeper
tn the nearest village. The kents did all
their trading at his store, and George Coun-
ter soon found that few cents on butter
bought, or off of coffee sold, had great weight
with our good dame.
Our teacher knew of this, but had never
met his rival at the Kent place. He knew
Counter BY sight, but had no acquaintance
with him. One Sunday afternoon both start
cd to see Lionie, and came into the road,
within half a mile of their destination, ut the
same time. Each surmised the others bust
nesS-Both were on foot, and the school
master concluded to out-walk the other; but
he soon perceived that the attempt was vain;
for the merchant showed signs of "breaking"
if necessary Not wishing to lower his dig
nifty by II right down foo Grace, the teacher
changed his tactics; he engaged his oppon-
cnt in social conversation, and sauntered
slowly along the road
! Thrown of his guard, the latter allowed
himself to become friendly, and the two men
arrived at the gate in pleasant frame of
mind.
DO you stop here :? asked the teacher, as if
in surprise, for he had begun to play a deep
game.
Yes, do you? rather anyiously responded
the other
OF course said Granger, lightly, my girl
| lives here | suppose you are an old friend
Of the familyY
No, can't say that am Said the other
slowly.
We'll, no difference; I'll introduce you as
my friend, and you'll soon be all right; these
arc very nice folks, too, said the sly peda-
gogue, briskly, as he knocked at the door
Mr.. Counter, allow me to introduce you to
Miss Kent; Miss Kent, my friend, Mr.. Coun-
ter and Tom invited his friend into the
house, introduced him to the host and hostess,
and made himself master of ceremonies
till he put the young merchant into degree
OF misery which he could not endure more
than twenty minutes, and our hero had the
field to himself.
Counter never gave him any more uueasi. !
ness.
Tom Iow began to think seriously of Try
ing to learn his fate; but how TO do ii was
the question, tor lie could not get her from
under Mrs. kent'snose fora moment. Lonie
had cousin named Fred Forest, boy of
eighteen who was greatly attached to her,
and who also entertained a great friendship
for Tom. Through him Tom found means of
forwarding his plans.
At Toms request Fred asked LIonie to go
to religious meeting several miles from
home, on Sunday afternoon and evening. The
tOulu naFC uD ODjtCtiOuS W HC BOluS
to meeting with Cousin Fred, anyway; be-
sides it would take her out of the school
teachers reach. So the cousins left Mr.
kcnt's IN high spirits, with a team furnished
by Tom Granger, and shortly after the latter
gentleman made his appearance, and inquir
ed for IiOnic. II did not take Mrs. Kent
many moments to inform him that the young
lady was not ut home, and would not be
that day; ard that she was with very re-
spectacle young INan'
Tom soon said 'Good day and within an
hour had exchanged places with Fred Forest,
and was beside the oaly woman he had ever
loved. Before he again reached the gstes of
the Kent farm, IoDie had promised to be his
wife, ii her fathers consent could only be
gained.
Tom parted with bis fair companion at the
farmyard gate, fora light in the sitting room
showed that the fan lily had not yet retired;
but just rs he was closing she gate the door
opened, and Mrs. keDt's voice sounded sharp
and clear on the night air:
Aren't YOU going +" stay all night with u.s.
FredY
Tom was almost caGEht; but Disgusting
hIs voice rs possible, he replied, No, thank
you, Aunt Alice, | must go home
She insisted, but it is needless To SAY that
he was firm. Well said she, at length, Il
ho'o soiHSthlhE ioi YOUR ulotiCi NuihC anu
get it
Cant leave my horses, called Tom, hardly |
able to suppress laugh ut the ridicnlons po'
sitiou in which he was placed. III come
and get il tomorrow
I'll bring II 10 you And the next moment
her footsteps sounded down the path. Lionie |
met her halfway with, Let me carry il down, |
mother; I'm afraid you will take cold if you |
stay out in the night air
But the spirit of conrariety seemed to have |
possession of the good dame; she suffered |
Lione TO take the parcel from her hand, but
remarked that she probably had u constitu-
ton as strong rs some younger people, and
followed TO the very gate within three yards
of a certain person who wished her as tar
away as the bottom of a deep coal mine, at
least.
The besieged young man managed TO give
his horse sharp pinch, which set it jump
ing SO that it took all his attention for 4 few
moments and when no Succec1p1 in nuiCtbnp