The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-02-17

~, 0"A" sAS YIN 6cns1e"~As uoPoeN'nS
his huge. silver bound spec:acles in their
case. "Yon young men are all in such a
desperate hurry. Tell Betsy to carry a
lamp into the library, girls. And Minnie,
where is my gold pen? wont be very long
about it, and then we will have nice long
evening to gossip over Jacks prospects,
While MIR. Chester sat in his easy red
curtained library, revising the letter which
he had been writing to Jabez Thorne of
Thornville, to the effect that his nephew
was in search of an eligible piece OF land,
and wished TO settle down in that vicinity,
and requesting Mr.. Thornes aid and CO.
operation in the selection of the same, Minnie
opened the door.
'.Papa, there is some one down stairs who
wishes to see you Immediately for one MIN
Ute"
Very annoying!" said the old gentleman,
'.just as was finishing this letter of Jack 3
However, can seal it afterward Minnie
suppose you glance over it and dot the is
and cross the t'a; I'm not SO much Of pen
man as used to ke.
And old Mr.. Chester pushed back his
chair and rose from the antique table to at
tend to the claims OF his urgent guest.
Olive Chester was brushing out the heavy
haids of her luxuriant hair before the dress
ing mirror Of own apartment, two hours Ia
ter, when Minnie ran in with u countenance
comieally divided between dismay and de-
light
my dear Minnie. what has happened!'
exclaimed the elder sister, dropping the
hair brush and letting all the raven tresses
ripple down unheeded over her shoulders.
1--WE won the diamond sleeve buttons
Olive! But oh! i didn't mean to. What
would papa say if he only knew it-and cou-
sin Jack too?"
sit down, you wild little elf, said Olive
gentle forcing her sister into chair, land
explain this mysterious riddlel'
''Well, you know papa left me to look over
his letter to Mr.. TnorRe-and he was de-
tanned longer than he expected almost an
hour in fact-and l couldn't help amusing
myself by writing parody on the letter.
"a parcdy?"
"Yes-you remember somebody telling US
what beautiful daughter Mr.. Thorne had
so wrote that Jack was in search OF a
wanted to settle in life, and all that sort OF
thing. In short wherever papa had writ
ten land or estate, | wrote wife! Wasn't it
fun?" calculated the little maiden, her eyes
dancing with dsab!erse But you know I
never once thought of sending the letter;
only wanted to read it to Jack when went
down stairs. Well signed it with a great
flourish Of trumpets, and just then who
should come in but papa and the stranger
Of course l fled-and when ! come back the
letter was sealed and safe in Jacks pocket
book, and, Olive, il was the wrong letter.
ut was rather dim Highland papa's
eyes are not - keen as they we're wont 10
be, and my impairment missive was gone,
while the real bona6de let.le lay there,
amongst heap Of discarded paper And
hadn't courage 70 confess my misdemeanor
papa 10 so opposed to my innocent little
jokes-and Jack is off with that indescri-
bah letter! shall certainly win the sleeve
buttons Olive, but what tornado there will
be when my mischief leaks out"
And Minnie looked 90 bewi,chingly lovely
in her alternate paroxysms Of terror and
laughter, that Olive, grave old sister though
she was, had not the heart to lecture her rs
soundly rs she deserved.
The crimson sunset Of the sky next even
ing shone radiantly into the special sane
tunl Of the worthy old Jahez Thorne. of
Thornv:lle, Justice Of the Peace, and chair
man Of all the agricultural meetings for
ten miles around. 1t was no scholarly
looking library like that Of his ancient com
rade, Chester, but square, light room.
with four uncurtained windows, and or
namented with numerous black framed en-
cravings of prize cattle and giant turnips
tie was seated in leather cushioned arm
chair. looking over the 6les of IN agricul-
tural journal, to find some coveted informa-
ton on the subjec, of .'phosphates" aad
him n card and letter.
The gentleman is in the parlor, sir
Jabez Thorne laid aside his newspaper,
glanced at the card, which bore the simple
inscription, "John Lacy"-thea q, the let
ter. which purpor,ed TO be the introductory
to tha, individual.
"How-ha-from my old college chum.
Chester, as l live. remarkable change in
his hand writing, bu, time alters US all.
Haven't heard from him in twenty years
and-ballo! what is this. 4 pretty cool re-
quest, upon my word-nephew ants \ wife
and has heard that Iposscss o daughter
has lots of mony-wants me to aid him with
my we'll known experience in such matters
What does the rascal mean ejacnla, ed
Jabes, the fringe of gray hair that sur
rounded his bald head standing absolutely
erect with Indignation. I'm send Jefiers
to kick the impudent young scamp GU; of
the house.
But witha moments reflection came calm :
ness.
well, after all, don't see what there is
in the N after to make me so foolishiy an
CRY. Guess III see what Mary SAYS An
excellent family these Chesters-and this
is just like Zebedee Chester-he always Was
singular 10 his notions. Rather unlike the
ordinary neA,hod Of coming to an under
standing on such matters. bu. there. nothing
like dash OF originality in this world, and
il the boy is rich and Mary don't object
at all events I'll see him on the subject"
And Jahez Thorne thrust the letter into
his pocket and strobe determediy into the
parior, where young Lacy was quietly
awaiting mis- appearance. The old gentle
mat 5 face was SCARLET with embarrassment;
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 CERT
e