The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1875-05-13
An Empty-Headed Fop.


ing 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? 1 respect and like
him"
"Respect him a walking tailors' ad-
vertisement! An empty-headea fop!'
"You are severe, Uncle Charles.
Mr.. Grantly dresses well but with no
more attempt at display than any
young man of his age and appearance
is justified in doing. And he is by
no means cmpty-headed. He has read
much, has seen the world at home and
and abroad, and converses 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 can
not waste all your young life with an
old fellow like me. But l would like
to see you the wife of a solid mana
good business man-one able to carry
on my business when 1 am dead-a
man like James Nelson"
Ellen Baldwin kept profound si-
lence, her eyes fastened upon her sew
ing.
81 know he is not handsome, and is
nearly forty. His clothes are not made
in the latest fashion, and he is some
times rough in speech. But he is O
thorough business man, able to take
cure of your fortune and even to in
crease it. He would make the best of
husbands. and, Nell, he loves YOU"
Mot at all, Uncle Charles. Mr.,
Nelson has done ME the honor of pro
posing to marry me, but love has moth
ing to do with the matter, And /
neither like him nor trust him."
"Not trust him! Why, Nell, he has
almost the entire control of the ware
house! l have gradually left every
thing to him. Not trust James Mel
son! You must be insane!'
Mr.. Baldwin looked at his niece
with glistcning eyes. AS she was en-
tirely independent of his control, rich
by right of an Inheritance from her
father, though his own companion for
nine years, this marked Difference to
his wishes touched him deeply. He
was a self-made man, lacking refine
ment, not well educated, but with
money-making capacity, and he had
the too common contempt for young
men who, like Walter Grantly, were
college graduates, and paid attention
to dress, to look, to the niceties of eti-
quette and conversation.
"You know, Nell," he said, after a
moment of silence, that l have only
your interest at heart"
'l do not need to be told that" his
niece said, warmly. "Have you not
been father and mother to me since
my own parents died? My hope is
that knowing love Walter, you will
also learn to respect and like him. He
labsrs under the disadvantage OF
wealth, having independent means,
but he was in business for long time
before a legacy from his grandfather
gave him sufficient employment in
managing the real estate and stocks in
which it was invested. Try to like
him, Uncle Charles, for my sake"
"Well, l will try. But l wish it
was James. l could like him without
trying"
Not long after this conversation,
while her own heart was happy in her
loye and her uncle's kindness, Nellie
saw that change had come over Mr..
Baldwin. He had always been gem
ial man, with kindly impulses. friends
with the world, proud of the prosperi-
ty that was the work of his own hands,
but he became very grave and qniet,
even sad, absorbed in papers, and evi.
IDENTIFY deeply troubled. Nell worried
over the change, but waited to know
the cause.
The knowledge came one evening
when Walter Grantly was making a
call. True to his promise, Uncle
Charles was trying to be friends with
the young man, and that he was sue.
ceeding was proved by his speaking
| in his presence.
"Bad news, Nell," he said heavily
IL am q ruined manw
"You, Uncle Charles ?"
Nell's arms were around his neck
while his hand was taken in cordia
grasp by Walter.
! "My dear sir" Walter said in tom