The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1875-09-16

SIT was rather a dim highland pa
pas eyes are not as keen as they were
wont to be, and my impertinent missive
was gone, while the real bona fde letter
lay there, amongst a heap of discarded
papers. And I hadn't courage to con-
fess my misdemeanors, papa is 80 OPP
posed to my innocent little jokes-and
Jack is off with that indescribable letter.
/ shall certainly win the sleeve buttons,
Olive, but what a tornado there will be,
when my mischief leaks, out"
Aud Minnie looked SO bewitchingly
lovely in her alternate paroxysms of ter
o and laughter, that Olive, grave old
sister though she was, had not the heart
to lecture her IS roundly as she de-
served.
The crimson sunset of the very next
evening shene radiantly into the special
sanctum of the worthy old Jabez Thorne,
of Thornville, Justice of the Peace, and
chairman of all the agricultural meetings
for ten miles around. 1t was no schol-
arly-looking library, like that of his
ancient comrade Chester, but a square,
light room, with four uncurtained win
dows, and ornamented with numerous
black-framed e~ngravings of prize cattle
and giant turnips. He was seated in a
feather-cushioned armchair, looking
over the files of an agricultural journal,
to find some coveted information on the
subject of "phosphates" and "super-
phosphates," when a servant brought
him q card and a letter.
"The gentleman is in the parlor sir. ?"
Jabez Thorne laid aside hisnewspaper,
glancedat the card, which bore the simple
inscription, "John Lacy"-then at the
letter, which purported to be the intro
ductory to that individual.
Chow -ha-from my old college
chum, Chester, as I live. Remarkable
change in his hand writing, but time
alters us all. Haven't heard from him
IN twenty years, and-hallo what is
this? Apretty cool request, upon my
word-nephew wants a wife, and has
heard that l possess adaughter-has lots
of money-wants me to aid him with my
well-known experience in such matters.
What does the rascal meant" calculated
Jabez, the fringe of gray hair that sur
rounded his bald head standing abso-
lutely erect with indignation. "Tn
send Jeffers to kick the impudent young
scamp out of the house."
But with a moments reflection came
calmness.
"Well, after all, I don't see what
there is in the matter to make me so
foolishly angry. Guess I'll see what
Mary says. An excellent family these
Chesters-and this letter is just like
Zebedee Chester-he always was singu-
lar in his notions. Rather unlike the
ordinary method of coming to an I'M
derstanding on such matters, but there's
nothing like a dash of originality in this
world, and if the boy is rich and Mary
don't object At all events I'll see
him on this subject"
And Jabes Thorne thrust the letter in
to his pocket and strobe determinedly
into the parlor, where young Lacy was
quietly awaiting his appearance. The
old gentleman face was scarlet with en-
barrassment; he was half disposed to be
angry with his guests cool self-pos-
session.
"I had thought of settling in this vi
cinity, Nh. Thorne," said Jack, after the
ceremonies of greeting had been ex-
changed, "and understand from my
uncle that you had q desirable piece of
property you might be disposed to part
with"
"Piece of property" thought the old
gentleman, beginning 20 fire up again ;
but he controlled his emotion and only
answered: Really sir, this is a very
stroage request. One can hardly be ex-
pected to answer definitely upon so very
short notice"
Certainly not, Mr.. Thorne. I have
no wish to hurry you," said Jack, po-
litely; "but I am rather anxious to see
for myself, and if you will favor me with
a brief description of the prominent fea-
lures Of"
But Mr.. Thorne wasfidgeting ~uneasily
on his chair.
"What do you mean, sir2" he exclaim
ed wrathfully.
Jack was rather perplexed at this cava-
ier reception, but he answered, as court
eously as possible
"Why, sir, of course it is not best to
be too precipitate on a matter of such
Importance"
eff this is a fair specimen of the ris-
ing generation" though the indignant
Jabez, "they are about as impudent a
set of ~jackanapes as 1 want to see. But
I owe something to my long friendship
with old Zebedee Chester-I won't turn
the puppy out of doors quite yet"
81 suppose it is healthy" asked
Lacy, blandly.
what is healthy?
"Your property. Sometimes in these
low grounds diseases are apt to prevail,
"Does he expect my Mary has the
fever and ague?" thought old Thorne,
leaping briskly out of his chair as if IN
insect had stung him. "Tn send my
daughter to you, young man-that will
settle the business at once"
And before Lacy could express his
surprise his choleric host had banged the
door behind him and disappeared.
Mary Thorne's establishment was even
greater than her fathers had been. She
attired in white muslin, with a bou-
quet of crimson moss rose-buds in her
hair, for some rural party or picnic, and
at first absolutely refused to enter the
What an ideal she exclaimed,
blushing to the very tips of those tiny
ears. "To be put on exhibit
ton like one of your prize cattle No,
indeedl Let the young man go back
where he cam FRONT A pretty impress
sion he must have of the ladies in this
quarter of the globe !"
"But, my love, Zebedee Chester is
one of my Oldest friends, and the young
man is really a very fine looking fellow,
and rich into the bargain. Go in and
talk to him a little while, there's a good
girl! I can't stand it a minute longer"
And old Jabez wiped his forehead, on
which the perspiration was standing in
big beads. And Mary burst into an un-
comfortable fit of laughter.
"The whole affair is so ridiculous :"
she exclaimed.
But she adjusted the mossroses never
'heless and tripped demurely into the
Now, if there was a determined point
Jack Lacy's character it was his aver
non to women in general, and if there
vas any n thing on which he prided
himself IL was his daoi1a6 oil boaL1ou