Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-11-11

II had thought OF settling in this
vicinity, Mr. Thorne," said Jack, aftel
the ceremonies of greeting had been ex.
changed, ''and understood from M,
uncle that you had desirable piece Of
property that you might be disposed to
part with.
"Piece Of property" thought the old
gentleman, beginning to fire up again.
but he controlled his emotion, and only
answered, "Really, sir, this is very
stEahse request: one can hardly be ex-
pected to answer definitely upon SC
very short notice.
Certainly not, Mr.. Thorne 81 have
no wish TO hurry yeu," said Jack;
politely; "but am rather anxious to
see for myself, and If you will favor me
with brief description Of the prom
| incnt features Of"
But Mr. Thorn was fdgetting un-
easily on his chair. s..; s1.
''What do you mean, sire7 he ex-
claimed wrathfully.
Jack was rather perplexed at this
cavalier receptions but he answered as
courteously as possible f..if H.,
| ''WI,y, sir, of course tits not best to
be too prccipitate on a matter of such
is,iporta,ite." "s ~ re s-e g.
eff thisssis fair specimenss,of the ris-
ing generation, thought the indignant
Jabez, "theysare about as impudent a
set of Jackanapes as l want to see.
Bnt l owe something to my long
friendship with old-.Zebedee Chester
won't turn the puppy out of doors
quite yes. "f
Il suppose 1t is healthye" aske d
Lacy, blandly.
"What is heslthy 2
"Your property. Sometimes in
these low grounds diseases are apt TO
prevail, and"
"Does he expect my Mary has the
fever and ague?" thought old Thor,
leap.ng briskly out of his,,chair as if all
insect had stuns him. Ill send my
daughter to you, young man-th.t
will settle the business al once"
And before Lacy could express his
SUI prise his cholerio host had banged
the door behind him and disappeared
Mary Thornes . astonishrnent was
e5en greater than her fathers had
been. She was attired IN white MUS
lin, with a bouquet of crimson mo
rose>buds in her bosom and spray or
the same exquisite flowers in her hair,
for some rural party or picnic, and a.
first absolutely refused to enter tie
parlor:;
q'.W;,at an ideal" she exclaimed,
blushing to the very tips of those tiny,
shellSllke ears ''To be put on exhibit
ton like one of your prize cattle :! No,
indeed! Let the young man go where
he came from! A pretty impression
he must have of the ladies Of this quar-
ter of the globe" e .ta
''But, my love, zebedee Chester is
one Of my Oldest friends, and the
young man is really a fine looking fell
low, and rich in the bargain.
''Go in and talk to him a little
while, that's a good girl!' l can't
stand it minute longer
And old Jabez wiped his forehead
on which the persplration was stand
ing i'll big beads. And Mary burst
into an uncomfortable fit of laughter.
'The whole affair is so ridiculous!'
she exclaimed. ..
But she adjusted the moss roses
nevertheless, and ripped denurely
into the parlor. aa
Now, if there was determined
point in Jack Lacy's character it was
| his aversion to women in general, and
| if there was any one thing ON which he
prided himself, 1t was his decided old
bachelorhood. Imagine his vexation
and dismay, therefore, when, after a
formal introduction, old Mr.. Thorne
withdrew, leaving him tete "a -tete with
the pretty creature in white muslin and
roses. 1t, was embarrassing enough,
particularly as Mary blushed every
time he looked at her, and evinced an.
exceedingly great disposition to laugh.
"Wel," thought Jack, "the manners
and customs of this locality are father
odd, to say the least of it. I came to
consult an old man about purchasing
land Of him. ana he bounces out of the
room, and sends his daughter. What
on earth am to say to her, I'd like to
/ knowf" M aasasa .4t c
And Mary glancing shyly in the
direction of her companion came to
the cnoclusion that he had sbeautlful
Spanish eyes" and moistache decided
" superior in style to the hirsute adorn
ments Of the young gentlemen Of
Thornville.
4 Dir. Lacy looked up at the ceiling
and down at the carpet, and wondered
what the consequences would be were
he to escape incontinently through the
open French window. That would not
4 be very digniied proceeding, how
oyar o. ha yasi0nad himself to deatjliy