The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1876-07-13

"Why, he's been here every night
this week, Chrissie; wish he would
spend his evenings somewhere else.
81 thought you liked his company,
uncle; he's so well read, and has such
lots of news to tell u.s.
He doesn't come here to see me-"
replied the old man; adding testify, as
he caught sight of Chrissie's flushed
face, .and I should not be sorry if he
never came again, unless" Che paused
and looked meaningly at his niece)
"unless you would miss him.
Chrissie felt her face burn, but she
evaded answering him.
Uncle Dan, are you very richp"
The matchmaker gave her surprised
look as he asked, "What put it into
your head to ask such strange ques-
tion, child?'
"Philip Harwood," murmured
Chrissie, feeling uncomfortable, for
there was an unusual harshness in the
old mans tone.
"Tell me all about it, Chrissie."
He spoke in the old loving tones, and
the young girl nestled close up to him,
saying, "You are not vexed with me,
Uncle Dan?"
'sNo, my pet; but I am anxious to
hear what Philip said.''
"You know it came on to rain, last
night, uncle, while Philip and / were
out? Well, / was afraid it would spoil
my feather, and was worrying about it,
when Phil laughed at the idea of an
heiress troubling herself about the cost
of new feather; and he said shouldn' It
care about such trifes when IL she
stopped and hesitated, but the sentence
was completed for her.
"When you came into your uncle's
riches. So that's the way the wind
blows with Mr.. Philip. He wants to
marry my little girl because he thinks
she's an heiress. That's the handspring
that makes him such good timekeeper
and so attentive, Didn't you say that
he was coming this evening, Chrissie?''
"Yes, uncle"
"Very well, my dear; I should like
you to leave US together for bit, and
not show your face until you hear me
drop something on the counter.'' n
She promised implicit obedience to
Uncle Dams injunctions. By singu-
lar coincidence Philip HarwoOd had
fixed that evening for asking the watch
makers consent to marry his niece.
His proposal was received with pro-
found gravity by Daniel Renshaw. II
would have been hard for even more
skillful observer than Mr.. Philip to de-
tect double meaning in the simple
questions which he asked from time
to time concerning the young mans
views and prospects.
ssIt's natural that should want to
know all these things, Mr.. Harwood,
for look upon Chrissie in the light OF
daughter, and in these days young
couples must have forethought. Love
is all very well, but there must be lit
tie money to back it up. Not that
think there is any thing wrong in your
case, Philip, for believe you are able
to provide her home."
A peculiar self-assured smile crept
round the lips of the listener. 1t rather
amused him to hear such talk from q
man of capital like Dan Renshaw. The
next remark made him feel rather un.
comfortable.
| Va COulS0 uOA AuC0A any
different to what she's been used to all
her life: all l want is to see her happy;
and if she loves you and you always
earn sufficient to keep the wolf from
the door, nothing more can be desired
Neither you nor she should covet mucl
of this worlds riches"
/ "Don't I?" Philip interjected, little
dryly; ssI'm not so sel-denying, Mr.
Renshaw, for want to get rich as soor
as ] cana want common to most meI
when they have their way to make;
suppose you felt the same before yor
got your wealth together"
Old Daniel gave the speaker q quizzi
cal glance over the rims of his spectar
cles. Their conversation was taking
the desired turn. He said, quietly, i" My
wealth, Mr.. Harwood! take care thai
you don't be- misled by idle tales.
don't live like rich man, and work
harder now than when I first learnee
| my trade"
| The young mans face fell little,
but he still spoke confidently. Tha
may be because you wish to add to you
wealth. There is arumor in the towr
that you are immensely rich.'
"Then rumor makes q sad blunder, ,
the matchmaker struck in. 81 dom
say that haven't laid by few pound
n it would be a shame if I had not; bu
now that think of it, Philip Harwood
my own talk may have helped to Sc
the rumor afloat. i have been fond o
talking about myself as rich man, be
cause my wants were always within m,
means, and I've done my best to keep
clear conscience and contented mind
q The next time you hear me spoken Q
as rich man. tell them from me, Phil