Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-01-09
AN EMPTY-HEADED FOP.

Nell, what is Walter Grantley coming
here for every evening? l hope you are
not encouraging him in any attentions he
may pay you"
Why should / not encourage him,
Uncle Charles respect and like him. )"
" Respect him A walking tailor's adj
Vertisement! An empty-headed fop I"
" You are very severe, Uncle Charles.
MI Grantley dresses well, but with no
more attempt at display than any young
man OF hisage and appearance is Justified
III doing. And he is by no means empty
headed. He has read much, has seen
the world at home and abroad, and con-
verses well, far better than any other
gentleman who visits here
Humph! All of which means that
he has succeeded in fascinating YOU. ]
expect you to marry, Nell You cannot
waste the whole of your young life with
an old fellow like me. But would like
to see you the wife of solid mana.
good business man-One able to carry on
my business when / am dead--a man like
James Nelson. "
Ellen Baldwin kept a profound silence.
her eyes fastened upon her sewing.
& know he is not handsome, and is
nearly forty. His clothes are not made
in the latest fashion, and he is sometimes
rough in speech. But he is u thorough
business man, able to take care of your
t)rtune, and even to increase it. He
would make the best of husbands. and.
Nell, he loves you"
&C Not at all, Uncle Charles. Mr.. Mel
son has done me the honor of proposing
to marry me, but love has nothing to do
with the matter. And [ neither like nor
trust him."
"NS trust him? Why, Nell, he has
almost the entire control of the ware
house! L have gradually left everything
to him. Not trust James Nelson. You
must be insane ~
:" am perfectly sane You are the
best Judge Of Mr.. Nelson's business
powers, and would not presume to
question your ability to manage your own
affairs; but fspoke of my life, my happi-
ness, and would not trust neither to his
tender mercies."
Preferring Walter Grantley 2"
Yes, He has asked me to be his
wife, but ], knowing your prejudice
against him, have told him he must win
your cordial liking before / consent to
be his wife. l could not be happy if YOU
were not friends with my husband, Uncle
Charles"
Mr. Baldwin looked at his niece witt
glistening eyes. AS she was entirely in
dependent of his control, rich by right
of al inheritance from her father, though
his own companion for nine years, this
marked Difference to his wishes touched
him deeply He was self-made man
lacking refinement, not well educated
but with money-making capacity, anG
he had the too common contempt fol
young men who, like Walter Grantley
were college graduates, and paid atten
tion to dress, to looks, to the niceties O
etiquette and conversation.
" You know, Nell" he said, after
moment of silence, "that ] have onl,
your interest at heart I"
C do not need to be told that" hi
niece said, warmly. Have you no
been father and mother to me since m,
own parents died? My hope is, tina
knowing I love Walter, you will ais
learn to respect and like him. He labor
under the disadvantages of wealth. hay
ing independent means, but he. was i
business for long time before legac
from his grandfather gave him sufficien
employment in managing the real estat
and stocks in which it was invested. Tr
to like him, Uncle Charles, for my sake.
"Well, l will try. But | wish it Wa
James. / could like him without try
ing"
Not long after this conversation, Will
her own heart was very happy in her loy
and her uncle's kindness, Nellie saw thi
change had come over Mr.. Baldwin
He had always been genial man, wit
kindly impulses, friends with all IL
world, proud of the prosperity that WI
OF his own hands, but he became ven