Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1875-07-29
Stltfttn Storp.
The Lost Wager.

The trunks were all packed and cord ed,
and the carpet-bags were piled up in the
corner OF the capacious. old-fashioned
hall
How melancholy they looked, those EN-
blems of parting and adieux. Not even the
merry laughter OF the two or three young
girls, who were gathered around a stall
wart, handsome fellow of about twenty
live, could entirely Danish an impalpa bic
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 spectscles ;
every five minutes and declared. pettishly,
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 II isn't such
a laughing matter. Think of the loss the
family Is going to sustain In my excellen-
cy."
But you'll come back soon, Jack dear. -
coaxed Minnie Chester. the prettiest and
most roguish Of all cousins, and the one
who kept up a perfect fire OF practical jokes
and girlish tricks at his expense.
There she sat,on the biggest trunk Of the
collection. ner brown curls haging about
her round face. and Aer eyes sparklin.
with q curious mixture OF fun and tears.
rm not at all certain OF that, Miss Min
ME-" said Jack. decisively. "lfI succeed
in finding n location to suit me, shall
probably decide to settle permanently at
Thorneville and turn landed proprietor on
my account"
Only imagine our Jack a gentleman OF
laurhaA ~
her sisters.
Il don't see anything so very ridiculous
in the idea" remarked the youag man,
rather plqued at the amusement Of his rela-
tives. .'At all events, there's one incxl-
eulable advantage that will result from
my departure"
"And what is that, Mr.. OracleT'
1.-The fact that you have 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 a
parting trick on you yet? Ah!I haven't
settled with you tor several little pieces OF
impertinence; but pray don't imagine they
are forgotten. SIR
MY diamond sleeve buttons to our
coral necklace that you don't impose on me
within the next three months, Minnie.
Girls you all hear the wager. don't you ?
| always coveted Jacks diamonds
"But you won't have them. .msdemoiselle
How dark It Is getting in this cavernOu.
old hall. Shall l ring for lights, Uncle
Chester: and by the way have you write n
that letter ofintroduction TO Mr.. Thorne?"
"All in good time, my boy-all in good
time" said the old gentleman, depositing
his huge silverbound spectacles in their
| case. "You young men are all In such q
desperate hurry. Tell Betsy to carry q
la9p into the library, girls. And Minnie
where ts my gold pen: won't be very
| long about IL, and then we will have q nice
long evening to gossip over Jacks pros
pects."
While Mr.. Chester sat In his cosy, red.
curtained library. revising the letter which
| he had been writing to his old friend Jsbez
| Thorne. Of Thernville, to the effect that
! his nephew, John Lacy, was 10 search OF
| An eligible piece Of land. and wished to set
! tie down In that vicinity. 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. fol
| O0e minute"
4
.Just as was finishing this letter ofJack's
However. can seal il afterward. Minnie
suppose you glance over it and dot the IL
| and cross the is I'm not so much of pen.
man as used TO be-"
| And old Mr.. Chester pushed back his
chair aod rose from the antique table TO at.
tend the claims OF his urgent gucet.
| Olive Chester was brushing out the heavy
braids other lukuriant hair before the
dressing-mirror of her own apartment, two
hours later. when Minnie ran in, with &
countenance comically divided between
dismay and delight.
MY dear Minnie, what has happened:' ?
| exclaimed the elder sister, dropping heI
hair-brush and letting all the raw er
tresses ripple down unheeded over hel
shoulders.
| "rve won the diamond sleeve-buttons
Olive! but oh! didn't mean to. whal
would papa say u he only knew it-ant
cousin Jack. toor"
.'Sit down. you wild little elf." said Of
i've. gently forcing her sister into chair
.'and explain this mysterious riddlew
well, yoa know papa left me to lool
over his letter to Mr.. Thorne-and be wai
detained longer than he expected-almOs
sn hour in tact, and I couldn't help anus
ing myself BY writing parody on the let
ter u l7
"a parodsT'
"Yes-you remember somebody Was tell
ing us what Q beautiful daughter Mr.
Thorne had-s0 / wrote Jack was Ia searcl
| Of wife, and had heard of Miss Thorne
and wanted to settle In life, and all tina
sort Of thing. In shon. wherever papa hal
written land,0r estste,I wrote wife waan'
| 1t funy' CALCULATED the little maiden, he
eyes dancing with diablesje. BHt 70,
know / never once thought OF sending tn
letter; only wanted to read It to Jacl
when went down stairs. Well. signe<
Il, with great flourish Of trumpets. ant
| lust then who should come but papa ant
the stranger. or course l hsd-and whel
| came back the leeter was sealed and saf'
u Jacks pocket-book. and Olive. Il va