Union and American. [volume] (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1875-1877, 1875-12-16
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and trlpped demurely
into the parlor. r-LT
Now if there was determined
point In Jack Lacy's character, il
vas his aversion to women in gen
.raI; and if there was any one
hing on which he pridod himself.
( was his old-bacheiorism. I'm.
agine his vexation and disnay
therefore, when, when after form
al introduction, old Mr.. Thorn
withdrew, leaving him tete-d-tete
with the pretty creature in white
muslin and roses. 1t was embar-
RAISING enough, particularly as
Mary blushed every time he look
ed at her, and evinced an exceed
ing great disposition to laugh. e
well, thought Jack. "the man
ners and customs of this locality
are rather odd. to say the least of
it. Il came to consult an old man
aboat purchasing land OF him, and
he bounces out of the room, and
sends his daughter. What on
earth am 1 to say to her, I'd like
TO know" ss, ~. ;qs.. b., IS
And Mary, glancing shyly in the
direction of her companion, came
10 the conclusion that he had"beau-
tiful Spanish eyes," and a nous
tache decidedly superior in style
to the hirsute, -adornments of the
young gentlemen at Thornvilie.
Mr.. Lacy looked up at the cell
ing and down at the carpet, and
wondered what the consequences
would be were he to escape incon-
tinently through the open French
window. That would not be
very dignified proceeding, however,
so he resigned himself. to destiny
by making some original remark
on the weather. 1t had the much
desired effect of breaking the ice,
however, and he. was agreeably sur
prised with the archly viyacity of
Miss Thorn. Only once did she
seem confused; it Was when she
had been describing fine grove OF
cedars that belonged to her fathers S
land, regretting at the same time
that he contemplated the sale OF it..
Il believe 1 should like to be-
come the purchaser" said Jack.
Your father has told you that [
had some idea of settling hereT
Mary grew scarlet, and murmur
ed some sentence or other. The
conversation WAS cffectually check
ed, and Jack perplexed at the eff
feet, for which he could perceive
no visible cause. rose TO take leave.
'.Will you mention to your father,
Miss Thorn, that / shall call to see
him about this matter tomorrow
morning~ he asked.
All the moss roses in Mr.. Thorn's
rose-garden could not dave riyaled
the hot glow on Mary's cheeks rs
she fed out of the room without q
word of reply.
"Very singular family, this.'
muttered Jack, slowly drawing on
his glove and walking down the
broad garden path. ..Bnt she is
an uncommonly pretty giri-and l
shall certainly take walk through
that grove of cedars tomorrow
morning, before breakfast
He dreamed of blue-eyed Mary
Thorn that night, and rose de-
cidedly pleased that he should
have reasonable excuse for call
ing at her fathers house so soon.
-u 81 certainly can't be in love-"
quoth he, mentally. "But how
Minnie would tease me if she
thought l was in danger Of sueing
for not only a farm but wife"
Old Jabez Thorn was busily
engaged nipping the dead leaves of
his pet laurustinns with a gigantic
pair of garden scissors, that morn
ing, when young Lacy sprang over
the hedge and saluted him with a
huoyant "good morning"
"We ell, sir," he went on gaily, 81
have seen the property, and am
perfectly delighted. A fine, heal
thy investment-no disease about
it, I'm convinced" fiis
HEM said Mr.. Thorn, dubious
ly. -7s
"And I would like to take a Sec
ond, more thorough inspection in
your society, sir, if you please"
"Really, Mr.. Lacy" said the old
man, sharply, my daughter has
not yet come down stairs, and" q
"What the mischief has his
daughter to do with the matterF'
thought Lacy, bat he said politely :;
N "Of course | will await any time
that may be convenient to you,
sir. I observed good deal of ma.
tive roughness, but / cannot doubt
that there is a very great suscepti-
bilIty to Improvement. A little
judicious cultivation will accom-
plish wonders" -.....-,. ....-t
Let me tell you, young mar" !"
began Mr.. Thorn, in q towering
rage, but Lacy saw that he had
unconsciously committed some
arch blunder, and fastened to say:
"In short, sir, / am determined
to secure this rural gem at any
price. What is the sum you de-
mandY'
Mr.. Thorn fairly sat down on
the gravel walk, overpowercd with
the avalanche of wrath which he
found impossible to shape into
words.
Upon my word - sir" he
began; "you talk as if this was a
mere matter Of businessr'
Jack was puzzled enough. ut
is the way in which l have always
heretofore been accustomed to
treat such affairs, SIR"
"Heretofore-you have been ac-
customed and pray, sir, how many
such little affairs have you had on
your hands?' shrieked old Thorn,
growing purple in the face.
20, several, sir. / am not so
inexperienced as you suppose,
replied Jack, smiling.
"Are you not ashamed to confess
itr'
sNo, why should beT"
"Get out of my garden, you
E r.