The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1875-12-09
The Lost Wager.


The trunks were all packed and cord
ed, and the carpetbags were piled up ia
the corner of the capacious, old-fash hioned
hall
How melancholy they looked, those
emblems of parting and adieux. Not
even the merry laughter of two or three
young girls, who were gathered around q
stalwart, handsome fellow of about twen-
ty-ive, could entirely Danish an impalpa-
BILE something of sadness from the scene.
Cousin Jack was going away, the general
mischief-maker, torment and tease of the
whole family, and Mr.. Chester sitting by
the distant window, wiped his spectacles
every Eve minutes, and declared pettish-
ly that the type of the evening paper was
a terrible trial to old eyes
AYE, you may laugh, girls, said Jack,
applying himself vigorously to the refrac
tory lock of a portmanteau. Perhaps
you may one day discover that it isn't
such a laughing matter. Think of the
loss the family is going to sustain in my
excellency"
but you'll come back soon, Jack,
dear" coaxed Minnie Chester, the pref
tiest and most rougish of cousins, and
the one who kept perfect fire of prac-
tical jokes and girlish tricks at his ex-
pense.
the collection, her brown curls hanging
about her round face, and her eyes spark
ling with curious mixture of fun and
tears .
Pm not at ali certain of that Miss
Minnie," said Jack, decisively. "If sue
ceed in finding location to suit me, l
shall probably decide to settle perma-
nently at Thornville, and turn landed
proprietor on my own account"
'Only imagine our Jack gentleman
of property /" laughed Minnie, appealing
to her sister.
II don't see anything SO very ridicu-
lous in the idea" remarked the young
man, rather piqued at the amusement of
his relatives "At all events, there's one
incalculable advantage that will result
from my departure"
.d'And what is that, Mr. Oracle p
THE fact that you've played your last
freak on me, you tormenting little mink"
Don't be so certain of that, cousin
Jack, said Minnie shaking her long
curls What will you venture don't
bestow parting trick on you yet? All
L havn't settled with you for several lit
tie pieces of impertinence; but pray
don't imagine they are forgotten, sir.
My diamond sleeve buttons to your
coral necklace that you don't impose on
me within the next three months, Min
ME" said Jack, gaily.
hear the wager, don't you 1 always
coveted Jack diamonds. --.----
But you won't have them, mademoi-
sellel How dark it is getting in this
| cavsrnous old hall. Shall 1 ring for
| lights, uncle Chester and, by the way,
have you written that letter of introduc-
tion to Mr.. ThorneY
"All in good time. my boy-all in, good
time" said the old gentleman, deposit
| ing his huge silver-bound spectacles in
their case You young men are all in
such desperate hurry. Tell Betsy to
carry lamp into the library, girls. And.
Minnie, where is my gold pen l won't
be very long about it, and then we will
Jacks prospects.
While Mr.. Chester sat in his cosy red
curtained library, revising the letter
which he had been writing to his old
friend, Jabez Thorne, of Thorneville, to
the effect that his nephew, John Lacy,
was in search of an eligible piece of land,
and wished to settle down in that vicin-
ity, and requested Mr.. Thorne's aid and
cooperation in the selection of the same,
Minnie opened the door,
Papa, there is some one down stairs
who wishes to see you Immediately, for
one minute"
Very annoying said the old gentle
man, "just as l was finishing this letter
of Jacks. However, l can seal it after
| ward Minnie, suppose you glance over
it, and dot the is and cross the is; I'm
not so much of a penman as ! used to
! be-"
And old Mr.. Chester pushed back his
chair and rose from the antique table to
attend the claims of his urgent guest.
Olive Chester was brushing out the
| heavy braids of her luxariant hair before
the dressing mirror of her own apart.
ment, two hours later, when Minnie ran
in, with a countenance comically divided
between dismay and delight.
my dear Minnie, what has happened2'
exclaimed the elder sister, dropping her
hair-brush and letting all the raven
tresses ripple down unheeded over her
| shoulders.
'1vs men the Diamond sieve hassons