Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-10-13
fCantinned from first pa.e.l


This retaliation upon his daughter stru, K
Webb as such an extraordinary MASTER
piece of witticisn that he fairly roartd
with laughter. Bye aud bye Tom Smith
roared too; and when he had his laugh
out, finding that Abel's attention was still
engrossed by the wondrous joke, seized
the opportunity to throw his arms around
Polly's waist. at which the damsel laughed
told the devoted lover TO "a-done, and
not be silly"
"Well. what brings you here ~ inquired
Abel, whose laugh had subsidized into
giggle, and wnkiUg at his young friend.
"Why, father, he saw me home an
brought the cucumber for present"
my stars, that's a beauty I'm much
obliged to you, Tom, for there's nothing
like better. Some people says cowcum
bers ain't good that you ought 10 peel
'em nicely, and then fling 'em out of the
window; but taken with little of the rind
on, bit of injun and lots of pepper, |
don't think there's much harm IN EN-
leastwise they don't harm me- And APP
parenty cucumbers were thoroughly in-
nocuous to Mr.. Webb, who speedily drew
his chair up TO The table and began TO
PLY his knife and fork with will.
Mr.. Tom Smith considerably waited
until his old friend had completed his re-
past and then explained the object of his
visit. Polly, who was busy clearing the
supper-table, wanted to leave the room.
but her betrothed wouldn't hear of such
thing; and by and by that gallant swain
exercised his influence with such marked
success that, all aglow with bushes, she
was induced 10 take seat upon the foot
stool between the two men, of whom 1t
would be hard TO say which loved her
best.
You know, Mr.. Webb. Polly and |
have been counting long time, nigh on
TO eighteen months. and were beginning
to tbink--ihat is, I'm beginning 10 think
(this alteration in response 10 protest
from Polly lis time We got married. |
don't like to see her wearing her young
life out in our hot work-rooms. NV sala-
ry, as you know, is al present ESQ year,
and live on the premises. Nnw l think
if | was to tell LOostri1g the facts OF the
case, and that | wanted to live away, he'd
give me ESQ. Now am that N ugh To
get married on, and have you any o'jrc-
ton to Polly and being married at once"
Here Tom Smith paused. not because
he exhausted his subject, but Tor the rea-
son that he was out OF breath.
Then Polly took up the parable. Slid
ing her stool to her fathers side aud rest
ing her head upon his knee, she said trem-
blingly:
Don't think, daddy dear that my be-
ing married will make any difference to
you and me, for you are TO come and live
with US; eh, Tom?'
Mr.. Smith, thus appealed to, vowel
that bis father-in-law' 5 residence with them
was considered quite a settled matter, as
in truth it was.
A tear stock in old Abel's eye and his
voice quivered with emotion as, laying
aside his pipe and taking his daughters
hand lovingly within his own, he said;
tom Smith, | know you to be "a true
and honest fellow. There is no man upon
the face OF this earth would more desire
to call my son-in-law but before | give
tell you OF something that may perhaps
cause you TO draw back"
Tom was about to speak. VIXEN Abel In
trembling accents, resumed:
III you d both been content to wait
few years, what | am about 20 tell you
might never have been known to either OF
you. | was still Young man when first
entered Baker d Bakers warehouse you,
Polly. was three years old; but your
brother Sam was eleven or more. He
used sometimes to bring me my meals AT
the drug warehouse, aud once or twice,
Mr.. Baker--the old man I'm speaking of
now-took notice of him.
lcoNTIsUED To-MoRRowl.