Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1875-07-29


be aud my impertinent missive was gone
while the real bona .dde letter lay there.
amongst a heap Of discarded papers. And
I l hadn't courage to confess my misde-
mcaaors, papa Is so opposed To my innocent
little jokes-and Jack Is of with that In
desc cribable letter! l shall certainly win the
sleeve-butfoas, Olive. and what q tornado
there will be, when my mischief leaks
out"
And Minnie looked SO bewitchingly love-
ly in her alternate paroxysms OF terror
and laughter, that Olive. grave old sister
though she was. had not the heart To lee
tarc her As roundly As she deserved.
The crimson sunset OF fhe very next
evening shone radiantly into the special
sanctGa Of the worthy old Jabex ThOrne,
of Thornviiie. Justice OF the Peace. aud
chairman OF all the agricultural meetings
for ten miles around. IL was no scholarly
los king library, like that Of his ancient
comrade Chester, but = square, light room,
with four un-curtained windows, and or
namented with numerous black-iramed
eugravings of prize cattle and giant turnips.
Ill was seated In n leather-cushi0ned arm
chair. looking over the files Of aR Agricnl-
turzl journal, to find some coveted infor-
nation on the subject of "phosphates- and
"superphospha,es," when servant
'The gentleman Is in the parlor. sir,
.Iabez Thorne laid aside his newspaper.
glanced at the card. Shich bore the simple
inscription, John Laey'-then at the let
ter, which purported TO be the introducto-
ry TO that individual.
"How-ha-from my old college chum,
Chester. as | live. Remarkable change In
hts handwriting, but time alters us all
Haven't heard from him In twenty years,
and-hsllo, what l. this A pretty cool re-
quest. upon my word-nephew wants a
wife. and has heard that possess 4 daagh-
ter-has lots of money wants me 10 aid
him with my well-known experience ia
such matters. What does the rascal mean 2
calculated Jabez. the fringe OF grey hair
that surrounded his bald head standing
absolutely erect with Indignation. "Pii
send Jefiers to kick the impudent young
scamp out Of the house,
But with a moments reflection came
calmness.
We'll, after all, don't see what there
Is in the matter 10 make me so ioolishly
angry. Guess I'll see what Mary says
An excellent family these Chesters-and
this letter is just like Zebedee Chester he
always was singular ia hi, notions. Rath.
er understanding on such matters, but
there's nothing like a dash of originality
in this world. aud il the boy is rich and
Mary don't Object At all evenls III
see him on this subject
And Jabez Thorne thrust the letter irio
his pocke; snd strobe determinedy INTO
the parlor where young Lacy was quietly
awaiting his appearance. The old gentle
mans face was scarlet with embarrass-
ment; he was half disposed to be angry
with his guests cool self-possession
Il had thought OF settling in this vicini-
ty. Mr.. Thorne," said Jack. after the cere
monies of greeting had been exchanged.
land understood from my uncle that YOU
had desirable piece OF property 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 an
swered Really sir. this is very strange
request. One can hardly be expected 10
answer definitely upon SO very short no.
tice."
Certainly not. Mr. Thorne. | have no
wish TO hurry you. said Jack. politely;
but | am rather anxious TO see for my
self, and IL you will favor my with brief
DESCRIPTION of the prominent features
Of"
But Mr.. Thorne was fidgeting uneasiiy
Oh his chair.
What do you mean, sirfr he exclaim-
ed wrathfully.
Jack was rather perplexed at this oaval-
ier reception, but he answered as cour-
teously as possible
why. sir, of course Il is not best to be
too precipitate on matter OF such impor-
tance.'
III this Is fair specimen Of the rising
generation" thought the indignant Jabez,
they are about as impudent set Of Jack.
anapes as want sec. But owe some
thing to my long friendship with old ZeSe-
dee Chester-I won't turn the puppy out
OF doors quite yet"
II suppose il is healthyf" asked Lacy.
blandly.
"what is bealthyT'
"Your property. Sometimes In these
low grounds, diseases are apt to prevail,
and"
"Does he expect my Mary has the fever
and agues' thought old 1horne, leaping
briskly out of his chair as II an insect had
stung him. '.I'll send my daughter to you.
young man-that will settle the business
at once
And before Lacy could express his sur
prise, his choleric host had banged the
door behind him and disappeared.
Mary Thorne'A astonshment was even
greater than her fathers had been. She
was attired in white muslin. with q bou-
quet Of ericsson moss rose-buds in fier
bosom, and a spray of the same exquisite
flowers in her hair, for some rural party or
| picnic. and at first absolutely refused TO
| enter the parlor.
What an ideal" she exclaimed, BLUSH
| ing 10 the very tips of those tiny, shell.
| like ears.
ITO be put Oh exhibition like one of
your prize cattle! No. indeed! Let the
| young man 60 back where he came from!
| A pretty impression 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 very fine looking fellow, and
rich into the bargain. Go in and talk TO
him a little while. there's good girl! !
| can't stand il q minute longer"
And old Jabez wiped his forehead, on
which the perspiratiOn was standing in big
beads. And Mary burst into an uncOntrol-
liable ft of Laughter.
The whole affair is 90 ridiculousi" she
| exclaimed.
But she adjusted the moss roses never
theless aud tripped demure.y into the par
l0r.
Now II there was determined point In
Jack Lacy's character. it was his aversion
to women 10 general. and II there was any
| was his decided old bachelOrism. Imagine
his vexatiOn and dismay. therefore, when,
after alforma! introduction IOld Mr.. Thorne
| withdrew, leaving him tete-d-tets with the
| pretty creature in white muslin and roses
1t was embarrassing enough. particularly
as Mary blushed every time he looked at
1 hoR asyfn =