Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-10-27

Ileretofore-you have been accustomed J
and pray. sir, how many such little affairs
have YOU had on your hands = shrieked oiu
Thorne, growing purple in the face.
"Oh, several, sir. am not so inexper-
enced as YOU suppose" replied Jack, smiling
| "Are YOU not ashamed to confess it 2
"No; why should be p
acct out Of my garden, you young repro
batel I" screamed Jabez, leaping up win
lightning rapidly. "rocome here and offer
to buy my daughter, as If she were patch
of potatoes Go, say
Your daughter, Mr.. Thone "
Yes, my daughter, you Jack-a-dandy
." But I'm not bargaining for your daugh-
ter I'm bargaining for that land across 'he
river"
"Dont tell mel" calculated Mr.. Thorne,
Juggling away at the fastening OF his pocket,
book Your uncle's letter has informed
me of your atrocious intention.
"Wi1 YOU allow me to see the letter, sir =
Thorne ierked it out of the compartment
where it lay, and tossed it angrily towards
Lacy. lie opened IL, and, in spite of his an
noyance and modification, burst into laugh
ter at the sight of Minnie's dainty hand
writing.
"It's nothing to laugh at sir" exclaimed
Mr.. Thorne.
NV dear Mr. Thorne, we are all the vic
tins of ridiculous mistake" said Lacy.
" Nv uncle never wrote this letter; it is the
work of my mischieyous cousin Minnie.
The genuine document must have been lett
behind"
"And YOU did not come to look fora wife p
81 came to purchase real estate
"Whew-w.w !" old Jabez whistled, loud
and long. then offered his hand to his guest,
with a hearty laugh.
well, my boy, I'm heartily sony called
you SO many opprobrious names, but Mary
and | supposed you were after her. | must
go and tell the little mink what blunder
we've made
Stay moment, sir" said Jack, laying a
OBTAINING hand on the old genteman's arm,
as his quick eye detected the distant ilutter
of Miss Thornes light dress among the trees;
"will you allow me to make the necessary
explanation myself ! am not at all Ger.
tain that, after / have selected a home,
shall not enter into business-ike negotia-
tons for charming young wife to preside
over it,"
As you please, my lad, said the old
gentleman, chuckling. I'll give my con-
sent, if only TO atone formy villainous treat
ment little while ago"
lie resumed his gardening operations, oc-
casionally pausing to laugh all to himself,
while Jack sprang up the path to seek Mary.
They were absent long time--in fact, as
old Jabez thought an unreasonaby long
time, before he discened through the dense
foliage OF the acacia hedges their advancing
forms. Mr.. Lacy looked exceedingly proud
and self-satsfed and Mary was leaning on his
arm, with her pretty cheeks flushed, and her
lips wreathed in tinid smiles.
"What does she say ~ roared the pater-
familias.
"She says she'll consider it," answered
Jack, demurely.
A week or two afterwards Minnie Ches-
ter received a neat little package containing
l the diamond sleeve buttons, and the follow
/ ing billet
DEAR MiNNfE-Ive lost my wager, but [
cheerfuly deliver over the forfeited stakes, for !
have won something Of infinitely more yalue-a
/ Wife CoUsiN JACK"
From which we may conclude that the
result of Mary's consideration was ia
vorable.