The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-09-10
THE LOST WAGER.

The trunks were all packed and corded,
and the carpet-bags were piled mp IN the
corner of the capacious, old-fashioned
hail
How melancholy they looked, those
emblems of parting and adieux. Not
even the merry laughter of the two or
three young girls, who were gathered
around a stalwart, handsome fellow of
about twenty-five, could entirely Danish
an impalpable something of sadness
from the scene. Cousin Jack was going
away, the general mischief-maker, tor
ment aud tease of the whole family, and
Mr.. Chester, sitting 10y the distant win
dow, wiped his spectacles every five
minutes, and declared, pettishly, that the
type Of the evening paper was a terrible
trloi to old eyes.
Aye, you may laugh, girls" said
Jack, applying himself vigorously to the
refractory lock of portmanteau. "Per-
haps you may one day discover that it
isn't such laughing matter. Think OF
the loss the family is going to sustain in
my excellency."
But you'll come back soon, Jack,
dear" coaxed Minnie Chester, the pref
test and most roguish of all cousins, and
the one who kept up perfect fire of
practical jokes and girlish tricks at his
expense.
There she sat, on the biggest trunk of
the collection, her brown curls hanging
about her round face, and her eyes spark
ling with n curious mixture of fun and
tears.
I'm not at all certain of that, Miss
Minnie" said Jack, decisively. If i
succeed in finding location to suit me,
| shall probably decide to settle perma-
ne1Gly at Thornville and turn landed
proprietor on my own account.
Only imagine our Jack gentleman
OF property !" laughed Minnie, appealing
to her sisters.
81 don't see anything so very ridicu-
lous in the idea, remarked the young
man, rather piqued at the amusement of
his relatives. cat all events, there's one
incalculable advantage that will result
from my departure.
"And what is that, Mr.. Oracle"
1.-The fact that you've played your
last freak on me, you tormenting little
MINK"
Don't bo so certain OF that, Cousin
Jack % said Minnie, shaking her long
.curls. What will you venture L don't
bestow parting trick on you yet All !.
I haven't settled with you for several
little pieces of impertinence but pray
don't imagine they are forgotten, sir -
d" My diamond sleeve buttons to your
coral necklace that you don't impose on
me within the next three months, Min
ME-" said Jack gaily.
no,o coil NT,,,;o GgG;,Ja ,,c,, oil
hear the wager, don't you9 | always Gov
eted Jacks diamonds.
But you won't have them, madem-
oisellel How dark it is getting in this
cavernous old hall. Shall / ring for
lights, Uncle Chester2 and, by the way,
have you written that letter of introduce
ton to Mr.. Thorne?"
cali in good time, my boy-all in
good time" said the old gentleman, de-
posting his his huge, silver-bound spec
tacles in their case. You young men
are all in such desperate hurry. Tell
Betsy to carry lamp into the library,
girls. And Minnie, where is my gold
pen! / won't be very long about it,
and then we will have nice long even
ing to gossip over Jacks prospects.
While Mr.. Chester sat in his cosy, red
curtained library, revising the letter
which he mad been writing to his old
friend Jabez Thorne, of Thornville, to
the effect that his nephew, john Lacy,
was in search of an eligible piece of
land, and wished TO settle 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 for a
minute.
Very annoyingl" said the old gen
tleman, "iust as was finishing this let
ter OF Jacks. However, ] can seal it
sfterward- Minnie, suppose you glance
over II and dot the is and cross the rs
IN not so much of penman as used
TO be.
And old Mr.. Chester pushed back his
chair and rose from the antique table TO
attend the claims of his urgent guest.
Olive Chester was brushing out the
heavy braids of her luxuriant hair be-
fore the dressing-mirror of her own