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

But MIR. ThOrne was hdgetlng uneaSlly on
| his chair.
"What do you mean. sirf' he exclaimed
wratbfully.
Jack was rather perplxed at this cavalier
| reception, but he answered as courteously
| as possible
why, sir, Of course il is not bes. to be
! too precipitate On matter OF such impor
| tance-'
III this is fair specimen of the rising
generation" thought the indignant Jabez,
''they are about as inpudent u set OF Jack
! anapes as l want TO see. Put I owe some
| thing to my long friendship with old z. be-
dee Chester won't turn the puppy out OF
doors quite yet"
Il suppose it is healtby?'' asked Lacy
| blandly.
| what is healthy?"
! "Your property. Sometimes in these low
grounds diseases are apt to prevail. and
"Does he expect my Mary has the fever
! aud ague?' thought old Thorne, leaping
briskly out of his chair as if az insect had
stung him. I'm send my daughter to you,
young man-that will settle the business at
once"
And before Lacy could express his sur
prise his choleric host had banged the door
behind him and disappeared.
Mary Thorne's establishment was even
greater than her fathers had been She
was attired in whit muslin, with bouquet
, Of crimson moss rose buds in her bosom, and
| q spray of the same exquisite flowers in her
hair, for some rural party or pic mic, and
! at frs; absolutely refused to enter the par
! lor.
What an ideal" she exclaimed. blush
! ing 10 the very tips Of those tiny shell like
| ears. ITO be put on exhibition like one Of
your prize cattle! No indeed. Let the young
! man 60 where he came from! pretty i'm
preston he mast have Of the ladies in this
! quarter Of the globe!'
But, my love, Zehedee Chester is one Of
my oldest friends, and the young man is re-
ally a very fnelc oking fellow, and rich into
| the bargain. Go in and talk to him little
| while, there's good girl! cant stand i. a
minute longer"
And old Jabez wiped his forehead, on
which the perspira,ion was stan ing in big
beads, And Mary burst iuto an uncontroll-
able Il; OF laughter.
1.-The whole affair is SO rediculous!' she
exclaimed.
But she adjusted the moss roses neverthe-
less and tripped demurely into the parlor
Now, ifthere was determined point in
JACK Lacy's character it was his aversion to
woman III general, and if there was any one
thing on which he prided himself it was his
decided old bachelorsm. Imagine his vex-
alton and dismay therefore. when, after
formal introduction, old Mr.. Thorne with
drew leaving him tete with the pretty
creature in white muslin and roses. 1t was
embarrassing enough, particularly as Mary
blushed every time he looked at her, and
evincsd an exceedingly great disposition to
laugh.
WELL" thought Jack, 1.-The manners and
customs Of this locality are rather odd, to
say the least Of it. came to consult an old
man about purchasing land of him, and he
bounces out Of the room. and sends his
daughter. What on earth am TO say to
her. Id like to know
And Mary glancing shyly in the direction
Of her companion, came to the conclusion
| that hc'had beautiful Spanish eyes," and
nustache decidedly superior in style to the
hirsute adornments Of the young gentlemen
of Thornville.
Mr.. Lacy looked up at the ceiling and
down at the carpet, aud wondered what the
consequence would be were he to escape in
continently through the open French win
dow. That would not be 8 very digni6ed
proceeding, however, so he resigned himself
TO destiny by making some remarks on the
weather. 1t had TIE much desired effect Of
breaking the Ice, however. aud he was
agreeable surprised with the arch vivacity
OF Miss Thorne Only once did she seem
confused il WAS when she had been oescrib-
ing fine grove Of cedars that belonged TO
her fathers land, regreiting At the SINE
time that he contcm plated the sale Of il;
Il believe should like to become the
purchaser" said lack. Your father has
told you that | had some idea of settling
here.''
Mary grew scarlet, and murmnrel some
sentence or oriher. The conversation was
etfec' ually checked. and Jack perplexed at
the effect, for which he could perceive no
visible cause, rose o take his leave.
''Will you mention 10 your father. Hiss
Thorne, that | shall call TO see him about
;hi, matter to morrow morning." he asked
All the moss roses IN Mr.. Thorne's rose
garden could not have rivailed the hot glow
ola Marys cheeks as she fed on, OF the room
without = word of reply.
Very singular family this, uuitsred
jack, slowly drawing on his gloves and
walking down the broad garden path. Blu,
| she is an uncommonly pretty girl-and
| shall certainly take an early walk through
that grove Of cedars tomorrow morning be-
fore breakfast
lie dreamed Of blue eyed Mary Thorne
that night, and rose decidedly pleased that
he should have q reasoaab.e excuse Tor call
ing At her fathers house SO soon.
Il certainly can't be in love-" quoth be
mentally. but how Minnie would tease
ne if she thought was in danger Of suing
FOR not only farm but wife
Old JAbez Thorne was busily engaged
nipping the dead leaves OF his pet taurus
tines with gigantic pair of garden scissors
that morning when-young Lacy sprang over
the hedge and saluted him with buoyant
good morning
well, SIR" hewent on to say. Il have
seen the property. and am perfectly deligh-
. ted A fine. healthy Iaves,mea;-no disease
about it, I'm convinced.
HEM" said Mr.. Thorne obviously.
And would like to take q second, more
thorough inspection in your society. sir. if
ri.