Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1875-03-26
"If 1 can only carry it out, it will
De nrnn { nnsitiYe.n he thonpht.

Short, fat, nearly bald, with spec.
tacles and a cane, Coleman Burke
was certainly strong contrast to the
tall, handsome young fellow who
had won Lucia for his promised
bride, yet he said aloud;
''I'll cut him out!"
A week later all the fashionables
at the G. hotel, at Saratoga,
knew that Coleman Burke intended
to take wife. What bird first car
ried the news upon the scented all
no one could have told you; but
there was no lack of information
about the elderly bridegroom in
prospective. Everybody (that was
anybody knew that Coleman Burke
had retired from business years be-
fore, worth half million of money,
and had made fortunate investments
since. That he was decked in fash
ions latest styles, wore diamond
studs and rings, carried a switch
cane, drove fine team, and oceu-
pied expensive rooms at the hotel,
all could see for themselves.
Very soon after he came another
fact was patent to all observers
that he was very attentive to Miss
Lucia rockingham, the belle of
many seasons.
Mrs. rockingham hoped in her
heart that Lucia would not be a
fool, and would remember how far
Mr.. Coleman Burke's pocketbook
outweighed his nephew's; also that
an old mans darling was far more
apt to- have every whim gratifed
than a young mans slave Having
delivered this maternal lecture, the
widow di1ated upon the expenses
of the Saratoga trip, and was rath-
er marked in her emphasis 3 upon a
speedy subjugation of her elderly
adorer. a
And Miss Lucia shrugged her
fair sloping shoulders, threw over
them a cloud of black lace and de-
seended to the porch where Mr..
Burke waited to escort her for a
drive. His manner of wooing was
certainly more business like than
sentimental. Where Frank had
grown eloquent over the beauty of
the liquid dark eyes, his uncle di-
lated upon the suitability of dia-
monds for brunette beauty. Where
Frank tenderly quoted poetry de-
scriptive of slender grace of the.
wilIowy figure, his uncle thought
velvet was the most becoming ware
for slight figures. As they drove,
the fat old gentleman asked her opin-
ion Of his horses, also y obtained her
description of the most suitable car
riage for a lady's exclusive use.
Likewise he expressed contempt for
an Indian shawl folded upon seat
near the lake as one far below the
quality he would purchase to deck a
lady's shoulders.
Sometimes, indeed, as Lucia in
formed her affectionate parent, che
was little spoony, pressing her
hand and rolling up his pale, blue
eyes oyer~the rims of his spectacles,
like a fat old porpoise."
But as a rule, he was simply de-
voted, in a constant attention. A
boquet of rare flowers in the morn
ing, followed by a call; drive in
the afternoon; a walk in the eve
ming; or an offer of escort duty at
a ball. became the usual daily rou-
tine. But the elderly wooer was an
energetic and persistent one, and
even Lucia, vain of her conquest,
was bewildered by the rapidity Of
the courting. Only a fortnight ago
she had but a bowing acquaintance
with Mr.. Burke, and now he had
positively offered a parure of expen-
siye canoes for her acceptance.
"A letter from Frank = Comm e
to-dayp unused Mr.. Coleman Burke,
reading an epistle handed in at his
door. Surprised to find me away
from home. Hopes 1 have seen his
dear Lucia in a kinder light than
the one l had previously had.a Hem
-Ses2well. " + :
And so Mr.. Burke unused and NUT
tered as he donned the most ex-
quisite suit, his most dazzling neck
tie, and fastened a boquet in his
button-hOle. ,-slgs1ss
"Bless your soul, Uncle Coleman,
what swell you arei"r r;sssveg &
And then Frank was IN the room,
and the two exchanged cordial greet
ings. a.3
% And Luciag'' Frank questioned,
''is she well?"
"She was perfectly well last eve
ming, when I took her for a drive"
"You?"
"Certainly. You do not suppose
l have failed In attention to my fp-
ture niece, do your"
"You like her better than you did,
continued Frank, pleadingly."
Z tSee here, Frank, y the old man
said, suddenly wheeling round from.
the glass to face his nephew. 81
have a bargain to make with you,
will you give her up? Stop! If she
is true, loving, and faithful l will
withdraw my harsh words, and will
give her the love 1 always hoped to
give your wife" Il -
"But how can you find out?'' said
the young man, astonished at his
uncle's energetic proposal.
''It Is you who are to find out. /
am already satisfied! You are to go
to the centre window of the small
drawing-room on the east porch,
and listen to conversation am to
have, by appointment, with Miss
rockingham"
"Eavesdropping."
"Never mind that grand air of
contempt. I an to have my way
for just one hour, and you can take
yours afterward for lifetime. viii
you go?"
"If you say So"
$50, then"
Just little later Miss Frothing-
ham, all smiles and white muslins,
sailed into the east drawing-room to
greet her elderIy admirer. With an
air Of deepest devotion he raised her
hand to his lips and greeted her
with a dou,ary compliment.