The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-07-09
How I Wpn Her,

nau COME W ASK MIN 1Or MS daughter
and as 1 am man who never allows
myself to be turned from my purpose
by any obstacle, no matter how great,
ask him for his daughter did.
am afraid did it very bunglingly,
for the Judges cold, searching gray
eyes were upon me, looking me through
and through I Thought, aud my con-
fusion was very great. Nevertheless,
between my stammering and incoherent
sentences, made bim understand at
last that it was not legal advice of which
was in quest, but the hand of her
whose heart was mine already-Ettie,
the idol of the proud and naughty man
with whom 1 plead.
"Well," he said, after a pause, dur
ing which I could not help dropping
my eyes and turning very red, for, in
my confusion, 1 imagined that L had
been guilty of some henious crime,
$50 you want me to give you my only
child, do you? ?"
From his stern tones, knew that my
suit was unsuccessful-that my answer,
when it came, would be an emphatic
"No !" Still, looked up boldly into
his face.
"Such is my wish, Judge Chaplin"
said.
"Will you tell me why I should en-
trust the welfare of my child to your
keeping ?" he asked.
Because love her."
IAN insufficient reason" he replied,
with ill-concealed sarcasm.
Because she loves me-"
"That reasons stronger" he said,
grimly.
Because, if you forbid ourmarriage,
you will render her unhappy-miser-
able"
"I haven't doubt of it," he said,
sneeringly. "Not the shadow of a
doubt. She would pine away and die
of broken heart. And all for love of
a brainless STRIPPING, scarcely out of
his teens -
From confusion, my feelings changed
at once TO indignation. What right
had he, this purse-proud man, TO insult
thus one whose character, at least, was
fair as his? l was never celebrated for
having power, at all times to control my
temper. Had L possessed this power,
[ should no doubt have risen from my
chair and left the room without word.
AS it was, leaped to my feet with haste
which rendered my appearance very un-
dignifed, I fear.
Judge Chaplin p cried. "I came
here to ask a question which could
have been answered by yes, or 'no.
[ expected to be treated as gentleman.
l expected tomeet gentleman. have
been disappointed i'll each particu
lar. 1 find that one may be rich and
learned, and still brute"
In an instant, regretted my hasty
speech. I regretted it, not because 1
cared especially for the feelings of the
man to whom spoke, nor because he
was the father of the woman loved. !
regretted it, because it made my chances
of success so much smaller, and, as |
am one who never give up until attain
that which seek, L was determined to
reach that point eventually. I expect.
ed that Judge Chapin's first act would
be to summon his servants and order
them to kick me into the street. [ was
disappointed, however. He evinced
no anger at my strong language-rathel
the opposite, indeed.
"Wait moment" he said.
stood irresolute.
The tone was bland-quite different
from the imperative manner in which
he had spoken bef ore. [ obeyed, al
though to do so was an effort, for I fell
that to stay longer after the insults OF
which 1 had been the recipient, was tc
compromise my dignity.
"I did not mean to be harsh, my
boy" he said. " I meant only to tel
you some plain, wholesome truths. You
are young.-you are poor.
az have my profession, Judge
Chaplin" answered. quickly and
have the strength to rise and will that
will not let me falter. L shall succeed.
"It may be So" he answered. 81
remember when [ was poor and strug
Cling, like you, to attain eminence il
my profession. l succeeded. Whe1
you have become successful, then you
may have Elite"
"And not until then ?"
"Not until then," he said, determi
nedly.
His words gave me little hope. L
might be years before that end was ac
complished. 1t might not come unit
the years of my youth had passed.
l had received my answer. 1 knew
that 1 should receive no other, and ]
arose to go. had gone no farthe,
| L
in, breathless, from some severe physi
cal exertion. He sank down, painting
"What is If, John ?" the Judge cried
: alarmed at the fellows manner.
1t was some minutes before the MAI
could speak.
"The riverl" he exclaimed at last
The falls! Miss Ethel"
was all excitement now. I graspe
the fellows arm and shook him rough
ly.
Be calm, you weak idiot ?" cried
"be calm. Tell me what has happened
to Ettie."
"Row-boat capsized," he muttered
between the shakes / administered
event over the falls. Ettie caught OF
the rock above them"
l waited to hear no more. With {
bound was out of the house and rush
ing madly toward the river. reached
it, and saw sight that almost froze my
blood with horror.
There clinging to the rock. just above
the falls, was Ettie, my darling.
knew that must act quickly. /
1 did not save her quickly, she would
be swept away.
81 am here, Ettie - cried. "Holt
on little longer, darling. I will saw
you"
} 1 rushed towards the boat house.
} knew that in it there was coil of rope
In an instant L had it. Rushing bacl
to the bank opposite the rock, I mad,
it fast. The other end took between
my teeth and sprang into the swift, th'