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

that he had committed some arch blunder,
and FASTENED to say:
In short, sir, am determined to secure
this rural gem at any price. What is the
sum you demand?
MIR. Thorne fairly sa; down on the gravel
walk, overpowered with the avalanche of
wrath which he found impossible to shape
in words.
my--word--s he began:
''you talk as if it was mere matter Of bus
mess"
Jack was puzzled enough
1T is the way in which l have always
here, ofore become accus. omed to treat such
affairs, sir
.'Heretotore-you have been accustomed
And pray. sir, how many such little at
fairs have you had on your hands," Shrek
ed old Thorne growing purple in the face
'.Oh, several, sir am not so inexperi-
enced as you suppose, replied Jack, snil-
ing
Are you not ashamed 10 confess it?''
mo, why should be-
'-Get out Of my garden. you young repro
BATE screamed Jabex, leaping up with
lightning rapidly ITO come here to offer
to buy my daughter as if she were patch Of
potatoes! Go, say!''
Your daughter, Mr.. Thorne'
'.Yes, my daugh,er.you dandy
But Im not bargaining for Jour daugh-
ter.-Im bargaining fer that land across
the river"
Don't tell me- CALCULATED Mr.. Thorne,
tuggiag away IL; the fastenings Of his peck
ct book, ..yGur uncles letter has informed
Inc OF your atrocious intention"
"Wiil you allow me 10 see the letter, sir?''
Thorne jerked it out OF the compartment
where it lay, and tossed it angrily toward
Lacy. lie opened ii, and in spite Of the
annoyance and modification burst into
laughter at The sight 0. Minnie's dainty
handwriting
Its nothing to laugh a., SIR" exclaimed
Mr.. Thorne.
My dear Mr. Thorne, we are the victims
of ridiculous mistake, said Lacy. My
uncle never wrote this letter; it is the work
of my mischievous cousin Minnie. The gen.
uine document must have been left behind"
And you didut come TO look for wife,
Il came TO purchase real estate
.sWhenw-w." old Jahez Thorne whistled
loud and long, then offered his hand TO his
guest with hearty laugh.
..Well, my boy, heartily sorry call
ed you SO many opprobious names, but
Mary and supposed you were after her. l
must 90 and tell the little mink what blum
der we've made
..Stay a moment, sir, sad Jack laying a
OBTAINING hand on the old gentleman's arm,
as his quick eye detected the distant futter
Of Miss Thorne's light dress among the
trees; twill you allow me to make the nee
essary explanation myself am not at all
certain that, after | have selected home,
shall not enter into business-like negOtia-
ton for . charming young wife to preside
over it,
.'As you pleas, my lad, said the old gen.
tleman. chucking. "lll give my consent,
if only to atone for my villalnous treatment
Of you, little while ago
He resumed his gardening operations, oc-
casiona.ly pausing TO laugh all to himself
while cousin Jack sprang up the patti TO
seek Mary.
They were absen; long time in fact, rs
old Jabez thought. an unreasonably long
time, before he discerned through the dense
foliage OF the acacide hedges their advancing
forms. Mr.. Lacy looked exceedingly proud
and self satisfied and Mary leaning on his
arm, with her pretty cheeks flushed. and
her lips wreathed in timid smiles.
What does she say roared the paier-
faMiiias
She says she Il consider it." answered
Jack demurely
A week or two afterwards Minnie Ches-
ter received a nea; little package contain
ing the diamond sleeve buttons and the fol-
lowing billet:
..DEsE MIkstR.--l We lost my wager, but
cheerfully deliver over the forfeited stakes
for have won something Of infinitely more
value-a wife. COUSIN JACK"
From which We may conclude that the
result Q. Marys consideration" was favor
able.