The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1875-03-12

DrOtlPE ana WIG ultu, lHaNllS truth, 81
curly headed boy. to the care of his uncle
Coleman. All the lonG-scated fountains
pour ont their affection upon the child.
He was truly the starlight of the old
mans existence, and though his manner
had been cynical, his heart had been
surrly wruug by the announcement Of
his engagement, but not from any pal
try jealousy or any mcrccnary motive.
Had Frank loved Il true, tender woman,
were she a hcgyar, his uncle would have
%ivru her Il fathers love and welcome.
But by the light of his own brief mar
rird happiness he read the misery i'll
store for his nephew, if he married Lucia
Frothinglam-a tiirt, extravagant and
selfish. How to save him was costing
the old man t~orturing thought. Active
opposition would only strengthen what
was but 4 boyish i%nfatuation, and yet
saved he must be. Suddenly a light
broke over Coleman BIWke's face, and
he rose from his chair and went TO a
long mirror III the rJom. The rutiec-
ton was not calculated to waken any
vanity, yet the old man smiled we'll
pleased.
III [ can only carry it out, it will be
proof positive" he thought.
Short, fat, nearly bald, with spectaclcs,
ana Il cane, Coleman Burke was certain
~ q strong contrast to the tail. hand
some young fellow who had won Lucia
for his promised bride, yet he said
aloud
"Ili cut him out :"
\ week later all the fashionablcs at HE
C hotel, at Saratoga, knew that Cole
man Burke intended 10 take a wife.
What bird first bore The news upon the
scented air no one could have told you,
but there was no lack of information
about the elderly Bridegroom in prospect
i've. Everybody Chat was anybody
know that Coleman Burke had retired
from business years before, worth half a
million of money, AMI had made FORUM
ate investments since. That he was
decked in fashions latest styles, wore
diamond studs andrings, carried Il switch
cane, drove a fine team, and occupied
expensive rooms at the hotel, all could
see for themselves.
Very Don after he came another fact
was patent to all Observers-that he Was
very attentive to Miss Lucia Frothing-
ham, the belle of many easons.
Mrs. rockingham hoped III her heart
that Lucia would not be a fool, and
would remember how far Mr.. Coleman
Burkc's pocket-book ~outweighed his
nephew's; also, that an old mans dar-
ling was far more apt to have every
whim gratified than Il young mans slave.
Having delivered this maternal lecture,
the widow dilatcd upon the expenses Of
the Saratoga trip, and was rather marked
in her emphasis upon a speedy subjuga-
ton Of her elderly adorer.
And Miss Lucia shrugged her fair
sIoping shoulders, threw e them a
cloud of black lace, and descended 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 dilated upon
the suitability of diamonds for brunette
beauty. Where Frank tenderly quoted
poetry descriptive OF the slender grace
of the willow figure, his uncle thought
velvet was the most becoming wear for
slight figures. As they drove, the fat
old gentleman asked her opinion of his
horses, also obtained her description of
the most suitable carriage for a lady's
exclusive use. Likewise he expressed
contempt for an India shawl folded upon
Il seat near the lake, as One far below the
quality he would purchase to deck a
Iad.y's shoulders.
Sometimes, indeed, as Lucia informed
her aifcctionate parent, che IA a little
spoony, pressing her hand and rolling
up his pale, blue eyes over the rims of
his spectacles, like a fat old porpoise.'
But, as a rule, he was simply devoted
in a constant attention. A bouquet of
rare flowers in the morning, followed by
a call; Il drive in the afternoon; a walk
in the evening, OF an offer of escort duty
81 d, I,U hnn,.,o @I,o ,,c,,o1 loi1,r ,n,+iDa