Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1876-01-19
Caught In His Own Trap.

OduSut Ill lid OWH lldp.
"Confound the boy, what does he
mean? Does he think / am going TO be
a father To him, and not be Obeyed as a
father? Does he think I'm going TO
give him my money to spend in bust
ness, and take only ingratitude i'm re-
turn, What can the young dog be
thinking of? Plague the youngster
What business has he to go and fall in
love with poor piece of trash? I'll fix
him. I'll-but here comes the rascal,
the spurner of my counsels"'
And as Captain Jerry Pleman thus
spoke, he sank into great stuffed chair,
and looked daggers; and twice he
stamped his dumpy foot yehemently to
keep up his stern purpose He was a
round-bellied, red-cheeked bachelor,
just five-and-forty. Most of his life he
had spent at sea, and had lately settled
down ashore with an immense fortune,
for the purpose Of enjoying the rest OF
his days latter his own heart" as he
expressed it. His pare was just large
enough to carry his jolly face high up
over his brow, but yet he had good
quantity of dark curls clustering about
his short, fat neck. The only near rela-
ii We he had in the lower world was
Jack Kendall, an only child of his only
sister. Jerry Pleman had loved his
sister fondly, and when she died,-she
was widow then-she left a prayer
upon record that her brother would care
for her orphan boy. And Uncle Jerry
had done it faithfully. For ten years
he had provided for his nephew, keep
ing him at one OF the best schools for a
while, and then paying his way through
college. But now that he had settled
down in home, he had Jack come and
live with him.
.Ah, you are here, are you?' grOwled
the uncle, looking up with dagger-like
expression.
Jack Kendall was twenty-three, some
what taller than his uncle, but with the
same family look. He was handsome,
good-natured, generous, affectionate fel-
low, and loved his uncle Jerry with his
whole soul.
Eyes, uncle. | am here" he replied,
taking a seat, ''and know You are glad
TO see me"
cave, am glad, for have something
TO say to you,' the bachelor resumed,
looking more daggers. ''Have you seen
that baggage again!"
Baggage, uncle"
Baggage, sir. / said baggage. Have
you seen herr"
Her, uncle? Baggage? Her? Why
what do you mean."
you know very well what / mean.
| mean that piece of poverty THAT
hanger -on-that-that baggage-that-
that girl,"
.'Oh, you mean Lizzie Brown. The
girl that"
Thinks to catch YOU, and thus catch
nv money!" interrupted Uncle Jerry,
emphatically.
at is hardly fair to say that, uncle,
seeing that made all the advances my
self"
.sNonsense, don't you suppose know?
I say she set the trap for ye! But l
won't have il. If I'm TO be a father to
We, YOU must obey me. Now I've got
YOU a good chance. | want you TO
marry Susan Garland"
but she's a widow, uncle"
$50 much the better. She'll know
how to make a home ye.'
"And she's older than l by dozen
years."
.'Just five years. She's only twenty
eight. it's all the better for that.
But can't love her."
Cant love her. 20 cried the uncle,
looking an immense number of very
sharp-pointed daggers. Cant love
Susan Garland. Can't love the woman
who was the wife of the most faithful
friend ever had. Let me tell you, sir,
that when the Gazelle was cast upon the
rocks of Barnegat. Bill Garland saved
my life and lost his own. He died i'm
these arms, sir, and the last words he
ever said to me were, BE kind to my
poor Susan and | will be kind to her."
the captain added, wiping big tear
from his cheek. "I'll give her hus-
hand-a graceless husband, perhaps
but who shall have money enough to
keep us above want. You shall marry
her, SIR
But suppose l should refuse?"
Refuse, refuse your uncle! You
dare not do it, siri I'll turn you out of
doors in an instant, I'll see you starve
before I'll give you another penny. III
take away all ever did give you"
''Ah, you couldn't do .tnat, uncle.
The education have gained under. your
noble, generous patronage, is mine of
wealth, of which you cannot rob me;
and would not to-day exchange 1t for
all the wealth you ever possessed.
can live by my own wits
Aha, you threaten me, do you? You
mean to rebel, do you? You mean to
disobey me outright"
You do not understand me, uncle. |
You surely would not force me to be-
lie my own heart. If you could but
know Lizzie Brown"
Lizzie Fiddlestick! ] don't want to |
know her. L know Susan Garland. and |
that is enough. I've had this plan fixed |
ever since | came home. l promised
Bill I'd take care of her, and must do |
1t; and how can l do it if you don let |
me have her for niece?"
why not have her for a wife?"
asked Jack, quietly.
Wife-me! Why, you young ras-
cal. what do you mean: Me-marry, |
POUNDS. Do you think l am crazy? l |
am Old enough To be her father"
Only seventeen years, uncle Just |
band"
silence, villain. Would YOU have
me make fool Of myself, Just as am
settlng down for comfort and auiety /
Don't you dare mention such A thing