Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1875-12-30

cannot doubt that there is very great
susceptibility to improvement. A little
judicious cultivation will accomplish Won
ders.'
''Let me tell you, young man, began
Mr.. Thorne, III towering rage, but Lacy
saw that he had unconsciOusly committed
some arch blunder, and FASTENED to say:
''In short, sir, I am determined to Sc
cure this rural gem at any price. What
is the sum you demand?"
Mr.. ThOrne fairly sat down on the grav-
el walk, OverpOwered with the avalanche
of wrath which he found impossible to
shape into words.
'EUpon-my - he began,
you talk as if this was a mere matter of
business -
Jack was puzzled enough. cit is the
way in which I have always heretofore
been accustomed to treat such affairs,
sir.''
,'..Heretofore-.you have been aeeustom-
ed and pray, sir, how many such little
affairs have you had on your hands ?''-
shrieked old ThOrne, growing purple in
the face.
go, several, sir, I am not so inexperi-
enced as you suppose" replied Jack,
smiling.
care you not ashamed to confess it 20
'ENo, why should be ?''
''Get out of my garden, you young rep
| rObatep W screamed JabeZ, leapfng up with
lightning rapidity. ''To come here and
offer to buy my daughter, as if she were
patch of potatoes! Go! L say!"
''Your daughter, you Jack-a-dady.-
But | am not bargaining for your daugh-
ter. I'm bargaining for that land across
the river:''
E'Don't tell me ~ calculated Mr.. Thorne,
tugging away at the fastenings of his
pOcket-boOk ''yOur uncle's letter has in
formed me of your atrociOus Intention"
sir ?''
Thorne ierked it out of the compartment
where it lay, and tossed it angrily to-
wards Lacy. He opened it, and in spite
of his annoyance and modification, burst
into laughter at the sight of Minnie's
handwriting.
cts nothing to laugh at, sir, exclaim-
ed Thorne.
''My dear Mr.. Thorne, we are all the vic
Tins of ridiculous mistake said Lacy.
''My uncle never wrote this letter; it is
work of my mischievous cousin Minnie.
The genuine document must have been
left behind.''
''And you didn't come to look for a
wife ?''
E'I came to purchase real estate.''
tWhew-w-wp' old Jabez Thorne whis-
tied loud and long, then offered his hand
to his guest with a hearty laugh.
''Well, my boy, I'm heartily sorry
called you so many Opprobrious names
| but Mary and [ supposed you were after
her. l must go and tell the little mink
what blunder we've made"
''Stay a moment, sir, said Jack, laying
a OBTAINING hand on the old gentleman's
arm, as his keen eye detected the distant
fiutter of Miss H'torne's light dress among
the trees "wilI you allow me to make the
necessary explanations myself? lam not
at all certain that, after 1 have selected 8
. hama Tc11a into
negotiations for charming wife to pre-
side over it.''
GAS you please, my lad,' said the ole
gentleman, chuckling. ''I'll give my con-
sent, if only to atone for my villainous
treatment of you a little while ago.
He resumed his gardening operations
occasionally pausing to laugh, all to him.
self, while Cousin Jack sprang up the patti
to see Mary.
They were absent long time-in fact, al
old Jabez thought, an unreasonably long
time, before he discerned through the
dense foliage of the acacia hedges, theil
advancing forms-Mr. Lacy looked eX
eeedingly proud and self-satisfied, ant
Mary leaning on his arm, with her pretty
face flushed, and her lips wreathed il
timid smiles.
ssWhat does she say ?" roared the pate
famiIias.
''She says she'll consider typ answered
Jack, demurely.
A week or two afterwards, Minnie Ches
ter received neat little package contain
, ing the diamond sleeve buttons and tn
[ following billet:
E'DEAR MINNIE :-I've lost my wager
but cheerfully deliver over the forfefte
stakes, for I have won something of in
finitely more value-a wifeI
"CoUsN JACK
From which we may conclude that tn
result of Mary's consideration" was ia
: vorable.