The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-09-25
IMAM PROPOSES"
BY THEK,

occupied themselves most assiduously |
in spending. The old men were both |
dead now. but SEQ" was alive, and on |
poor "Co." deVolved the running OF the |
business, for the present "seAioT' part |
ners were almost strangers to the office.
These latter were rather inclined to be
of the "fast' sort, and although their
knowledge Of the banking business was
limited, let it be said to their credit that
in the scientific game of billiards they
were most proficient. The fair sex
spoke of them in awe-stricken tones as
''very wiId," and yet, judging from the
number of matrimonial traps set for
them, this was not considered as par
ticularly derogatory characteristic.
They (Which word, l begleave to state,is
personal pronOun referring to Jesse
Norton and Charley Berton) had been
class mates at college, where to use the
classic vernacular OF that seat OF learn
ing, they had run together," and being
OF thorough congenial tastes and habits,
friendship mad outliYed their graduation
days.
Jesse Norton was the elder, and prob
ably had little more Of that commodity
entitled "Common SENSE" compared to
the other, he was quiet; he was not,
however, one of Il Sc model young men,
who implicitly follow the old maxim to
"thnk twice before you act" he gener-
ally thought once.
| Charley Berton never thought at all.
| He was OF the genus 'gOod fetloW," ana
was universally liked, impulsive, light
hearted, and generous to fault. But
| there were deeper elements i'll his CHAR
acter than showed themselves on the
surface. He was a true friend, but
could hate as well as love. In spite OF
his dandyism and wild ways, old gray
headed father mad often said; "There's
some good in Charley Berton"
The reader, gentle or otherwise, Will
pardon my introducing him Cor her pos
siblv) into such scene of confusion as
was presented by the rooms OF our
friends one pleasant morning in early
summer. .l
Norton, who was reclining on sofa,
| with q cigar in each hand, manufacture
ing rings of smoke with zeal Which was
commendable. suspended his occupation
tor moment to ask:
Charley, do you really intend to mar
ry that Montague grip
"s'pose Pll have to-" he answered
with a confessional air.
"WhyP
"Well, it has always been akind of an
understood thing, you know, ever since
|
gether, that we'd be married some day
Dut never regularly engaged mysel
till last spring."
''Wnat did you do that for?"
"Had to-old woman inquired after
my intentions-Wanted to know il l was
trlhing with an innocent girls affections
anu all that sort OF thing. l got scarce
and proposed" explained Charley ,punc
tuatlng his remarks with putfs olsmOke
II don't mind it much, though" he
volunteered, in continuation, "excep
the old woman. I'd just as lief marry /
pretty girl IKE Nelly, but don't like u
marry the whole family"
"What will become of meT askeC
Norton rather gloomlly.
Get married yourself"
"Tnank you; l do hot care for any 0
that pie"
"W en," and Charley lit fresh ciga
, very complacently, $40 what you pleas
then; Pm not your keeper"
, 1Ihe idea of marrying attwenty-two,' at
said Norton; "break it OH, Charley
you're not old enough"
"The DEVIL" exclaimed Charley. This
was the unkindest cut of all. He ha(
been called young. Further than hi
first exclamation, however, he sale
nothing, but relapsed into taciJurnity
|
ass Norton was this morning"
Neither OF the PAIR felt III a sufficient,
, good humor to carry on an animated
uuarrel, consequently nothing was SAT-
lor some time, until Charley, who hat
. been gazing abstractedIy out OF the win
, dow, became suddenly Interested il
something OUTSIDE.
"Look here, Jess, who is that girl?" IA
said.
! "Don't you know her? thought ever
n one knew her."
e "Why?"
| "She's talked about good deal"
n "You haven't to, me who she is yet.
$ "Jessie Corson-artisps daughter"
8 sKnow herW
"Only by sight"
GLOW has sue distinguished herselrg
Norton puckered mis- lips. Don't as
t me-" he said; Task the gosslps-the
say she's rather forward, [ believe. 70
r ought to hear the old women talk.'
n "Blank the old women" said Charley
4 "spitefuI old crones. She is the pretties
+ rirl L ever saw" and he stroked hi
r blonde moustache approvingly.
+ "She has a pretty name," admitte
e Norton.
E "Your name-yes. You ought to MARI
i her."
;. "Seme poor ueFll Will Dc lleu cow
to her pretty soon, suppose" said MOI
q ton, with a sarcas tic tone.
q Charley was still smarting over bein
q called ''young." A sudden idea strucl
him. Here was his revenge. 'It
have any diplomacy" he thought
n ''Jesse Norton shall be that same poo
n devil" He said the rest aloud. 6'H
n don't need pity"
+ For the two days succee eding this cor
n yersation Mr.. Charles Berton had al
the appearances OF person with an oil
ject in life. He was twice seen in a
: undeniable hurry. These symptoms o
y excitement in one of such a constitution
ally lazy temperament naturally excl te
: curiosity and concern.
On the third day he entered Norton
apartments with superlatiYeIy bore
: air, advan ntageously showing off hi
II powers as an actor.
II II can't stand this weather any longe
LESS; let's go and rusticate."
Norton laughed. II thought you ha
enough 'rustication' during your colleg
, days. Where do you want to goW n
said.
!, "Anywhere; what do you say to New
. England? Bos,on by waterw
"All right. How soonW
| HBOat leaves in an hour. Not mu c]