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

his handwriting, but time alters us all
| Haven't heard from him in twenty years
and-hallo What is this A pretty cool
request, upon my word Nephew wants a
wife, and has heard that possess a daugh.
ter who has lots Of money--wants me to aid
him with my well known experience in such
matters. What does the rascal mean p
/ calculated Jabez, the fringe Of gray hair that
surrounded his bald head standing absolutely
erect with indignation. am send LETTERS
to kick the impudent young scamp out of
the house"
| But with a moments reflection came calm.
ness. "Well, after all, don't see what
there is in the matter that makes me so fool.
ishly angry. Guess I'll see what Mary says.
| An excellent family these Chesters-
this letter is just like Iebedee Chester-he
was singular in his notions. Rather hard
understanding such matters, but there is
nothing like dash of originality in this
world and il the boy is rich, and Mary don't
obiect-at all events, I'll see him on this
subject"
And Jabez Ihorne thrust the letter into
his pocket, and strobe determinedly into the
parlor where young Lacy was quietly await
ing his appearance. The old gentleman's
face was scarlet with embarrassment he
was half disposed to be angry with his guests
cool self-possession.
had thought Of settling in this vicin-
| ity, Mr.. Thorne," said Jack, after the cere-
monies of greeting had been exchanged, and
understood from my uncle that You had a
desirable piece Of property you might be dis
| posed to part with
Piece Of property " thought the old gem
/ tleman, beginning to fire up again but he
controlled his emotion and only answered :
Really, sir this is very strange request.
/ One can hardly be expected to answer def
| initcly upon so very short notice"
Certainly not, Mr.. Thone. | have no
wish to hurry YOU" said Jack politely
but am rather anxious to see for myself,
aud if you will favor me with q brief de-
scription Of the prominent features Of"
But Mr. Thorne was fdgeting uneasily in
/ his chair.
"what do you mean, sir 20 he exclaimed,
wrathfully.
Jack was rather perplexed at this cavalier
reception, but he answered. as cautiously
as possible
why, sir, OF course it is not best to be
too precipitate ON matter of such import
ance."
If this is a fair specimen of the rising
generation" thought the indignant Jabez,
they are about a. mpudent set of jacka-
napes as want to see But owe something
to my long friendship with old Zebedee
Chester won't turn the puppy out Of
doors yet"
al suppose it's healthy ?" asked Lacy,
blaudly.
"What's healthy ?"
Your property. Sometimes, in these low
grounds, diseases are apt TO prevail, and"
" Does he expect my Mary has the fever
and ague 2" thought old Thome leaping
briskly out of his chair, as if AN insect had
stung him. am send my daughter to YOU
young man-that will settle the business at
once"
Aud before Lacy could express his sur
prise, his choeric host had banged the dool
behind him and disappeared.
Mary Thone's astonshment was even
greater than her fathers had been. She wa,
atured in white muslin, with bouquet
of crimson moss rose-buds in her bosom
and a spray of the same exquisite flower,
in her hair, for some rural party or picnic
and at first absolutely refused to enter the
parlor.
What AN idea" she exclaimed, blush
ing to the very tips Of those tiny, shelllik,
ears
prize CATTLE No indeed Let the youn.
man 90 back where he came from A prett,
opinion lac must have of the ladies in thi
quarter of the globol
" But my love, Zebedee Chester is one o
my oldest friends, and the young man il
really very fine-looking fellow, and ricl
into the bargain. Go in and talk to him
little while, there's good girl can
stand it a minute longer
And old Jabez wiped h:s forehead, OF
which the perspiration was standing in bi.
beads. And Mary burst into an uncontroll
able fit of laughter.
1.-THE whole affair is so ridiculous p" sh
exclaimed.
But she adjusted the moss roses, neverthe
less, and tripped demurely into the paror.
Now, if there was determined point il
Jack Lacy's character, it was his aversion t,
women in general, and if there was one thin,
on which he prided himself, it was his de
cided old bachelorism. Imagine his vexa
ton and dismay, therefore, when after
formal introduction, old Mr.. Thorne with
drew, leaving him feie-a-teie with the prett,
creature in white muslin and roses. It wa
embarrassing enough, particularly as Mar,
bluShed every time he looked at her anc
eyinced an exceedingly great disposition t,
laugh
Well" thought Jack, the manners an,
customs of this locality are rather odd, t
say the least | came TO consult an old maj
about purchasing land of him, and III
bounces out of the room, and sends hi
daughter. What on earth am | to say t,
her, I'd like to know Z"
And Mary, glancing shyly in the direction
of her companion, came to the conclusion
that he had beautiful Spanish eyes" anC
a moustache decidedly superior in style t
the hirsute adornments of the young gentle
men at Thoneville.
Mr. Lacy looked up at the ceiling anC
down at the carpet and wondered what tn,
consequences would be were he to escape in
continently through the open French window
That would not be very dignifed proceed
ing, however, so he resigned himself to des
tiny by making some original remark on tn,
weather. 1t had the much desired effect Of
breaking the zee, however, and he was agree
ably surprised with the arch vivacity of Mis-,
Thome. Only once did she seem confused
it was when she had been describing a fin,
grove of cedars that belonged to her father,
land, regretting at the same time that h,
contemplated the sale of it,
d" believe should like TO become tn,
purchaser" said Jack. Your father ha.
told you that | had some idea of settling
here 2"
Mary grew scarlet, and murmured sou,
sentence or other. The conversation was eff
fectually checked and Jack, perplexed at tn,
effect for which he could perceive no visibl,
cause, rose to take his leave.
Will you mention to your father Mis-.
Thorne, that | shall call TO see him about
this matter tomorrow morning 2" he asked
All the moss-roses in Mr.. Thorne's ros,
garden could not have rivaed the hot glow
on Marys cheeks, as she fled out of the room
without word of reply.
Very singular family this 2" muttered
Jack, slowly drawing on his glove and walk
ing down the broad garden path. "But she
is an uncommonly pretty girl-and | shall
take an early walk through that grove of &C,
dars tomorrow morning. before breakfast.
lie dreamed of blue-eyed Mary Thorne
that night, and rose decidedly pleased that
he should have n reasonable excuse for call
ing at her fathers so soon.
4" | certainly can't be in love" quoth he
mentally. But how Minnie would tease
me if she thought | was in danger of suing
for not only a farm, but a wife,
Old Jabez Thorne was busiy engaged min
ping the dead leaves off his pet laurustinus
with gigantic pair of garden scissors. that
morning, when young Lacy sprang over the
hedge and saluted him with buoyant good
morning"
swell, sir" he went on, gaily; 81 have
Iuan Ia. .t.ss, "a. 80