Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1874-07-24
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How She did 1t.

Peter Pennywise was in deep grief. All
the hopes of a lifetime were to be trus-
trated. The fond ambition he had so long
nursea, his pet scheme to make the name
of Pennywise the greatest in the land, was
mo more. His only son, Launcelot, was to
be married, and married to plebian--to a
girl who had wealth but no name, no fami-
ly ancestry, or no coat-of-arms on the pa
mel OF her coach.
Could human misery be greaterp Could
the Osa of grief piled on the Pelion of dis
appointment make 4 heavier load of sor-
row? No. The cup of Pebnywise was
full to the brim and he must dram it to the
lees, however bitter the draught. Such
was the tenor of old Penny wise's musings
rs he paced the velvet carpeted floor of his
library on the evening when our story
opens. A conversation his son had with
him as they sat together slipping their wine
after dinner, had been the cause of this tu-
multi in the breast of Peter Pennywise.
Launcelot was weak-eyed and pink-skin-
ned youth, with thin yellow hair, which he
parted in the centre, and little whisp Of
saffron whisker on each side of his face, the
pulling of which with his nervous little
hand constituted the principal employment
of the scion of the house of Pennywise.
Father said Launcelot, after gulping
down two or three glasses of wine to give
him courage. Father
We'll, my son, what do you want p ask
ed the pompous head of the house.
What do you think of marriager'
What do think of what p questioned
the surprised Pennywise.
Marriage replied Launcelet. 'Matri-
mony, you know. Two hearts with but a
single thought, two souls that beat as one,
and all that
Il think that every man should marry,
and would be glad to hear that you had
fixed your affections on some lady with the
proper qualifications, said Pennywise.
'What are the proper qualifications p in
quired Launcelot.
Family replied his father, family
whatever else you do, be sure never to dis
grace the name of Pennywise by plebian
connection
why, is our family such very great
one p demanded the young man.
"A great one y echoed Pennywise /; why,
it's the greatest in the land. Study care
fully the genealogical tree that hangs in the
hall, which cost me five thousand to have
properly traced and you will see that the
name of Pennywise was as well known as
that of William at the time of the Norman
conquest, and that the coat of arms is one
of the most respectable and ancient that
ever heraldry boasted Of
We'll, of course that's all true, father !;
but I've heard some Of the fellows at the
club say that grandfather was pawn
Your grandfather was broker and
banker as myself am, and was fully aware
of the responsibility of being worthy of his
family said Mr.. Pennywise, interrupting
his son; therefore he began my education
by impressing the value of family name
upon my young mind, and 30. when l had
grown older, and he intimated to me that
l ought to marry the highest respectable
Miss POundfoolish, / went to that lady,
proposed and was accepted. Thus L con-
solidated the two families of Pennywise and
Poundfoolish, and you and your sisters are
the result. But you asked my opinion of
matrimony are you thinking of marry
ing?'
'Ye.es SIR gasped Launeelot.
And whom do you propose honoring
with your name p
'Miss-a Miss Petersham,' answered
youthful Pennywise.
'Petersham--Petersham never heard
of q Petersham. Who is she p demanded
the gentleman with darkening brow.
She is very rich.'
And I.aunce faltered.
Riches are very well, but you do not
need them. Your mother left you all her
fortune, and shall leave you half of mine
if you marry as wish. Who is this-this
Petersham What does her father do p
He keeps large clothing establish
ment.'
What! roared Pennywise. "A tailor ?
1t shall not be- The arms of Pennywise
shall never be marred by needle or dis.
figured by-great heaven-a goose II
shall never be-neyer-neyer y
1T must be y said Launcelot, going to
the door, cause I've popped and she's
J accepted me-