Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-06-05
STRANsIENT BILLs-cAsH.
Mr. POppleton fslt tha. he Was not getting


all his resolutions, and commenced again
'fNo, ma'am, came entirely on my own
responsibility. j consider matter Of duty
to let you know that 1 strongly dhapprovs
of your engagement. And, furthermore, 10
is my invincibly determination, if he per,
sists in running counter to my wishes, TO
have nothing more 10 do with him 70
This was evidently something that Rose
did not expect 10 hear; the dimpling smiles
left the mouth, and the violet eyes opened
widely. -.
Looking rssolutely away, Mr.. Poppleton
continued: gsl- % I'VE e1-s : t---s-'-
"If you think my nephew has property iu
his own right. you were never more mistaken.
He is entirely dependent on me Il and If he
commits the folly he contemplates, /. Wont
give him penny-not penny
Here .-Poppleton turned his eyes upon
the face opposite him, as if to see what ef-
feet his words were producing. All its
bloom and brightness had vanished, but no
went pitilessly on. -
"0f course, you can marry him II you
choose this is free country. and people
can make themselves as miserable as they
like, suppose. ouly, I feel i, my duty to
warn you what the inevitable consequences
will be. Fred can hardly take care of him>
self You'll have large family-poor peo-
pie always do have large families-and the
result will be poverty, misery, and no end
of trouble" area
This was not very encouraging prospect
to look forward to, and Rose did not look as
if she considered it as such. She made no
reply, however, and Mr.. Poppleton continued;
ION the other hand, if you will act as
seusibly and discreetly in the matter, as /
think you will, on reflection, you will never
be sorry for it. You may count on my pro-
lection and friendship-the friendship aud
protection of Josiah Poppleton -
Rose now spoke. t4
"Llove Frederic-."
s'Don't answer me now," interrupted Mr..
Poppletou, rising aud turning to the door;
take time to think the matter over. III
be here tomorrow at the same hour 10 get
your decision. Only remember, If you really
do love my nephew, that you will take
course that will ruin his prospects for lifs."I
mo wonder the young rascal is be-
witched," thought the old gentleman, as he
took his way homeward, "shs is certainly
the most bewitching creature ever saw 7"
Mr. Poppleton expected his nephew back
on the following day, and was, therefore, all
the more anxious that the matter should be
satisfactorily settled. Promptly st the hour
he had named to Rose, he was on hand to
receive her decision.
"Mr. Poppleton, cannot feel IL would
be right for me to break my engagements
with your nephew; if he chooses to give me
up, that is another thing. The thought Of
making trouble between you two gives mo
more pain than / can tell you. What possi>
BILE objection can you have to me 2"
Here poor Rose burst into tears.
mo objection to you, whatever, my dear"
said Mr. Poppleton, taking ono of The soft.
| white hands in both of his. "0n the con-
trary, think you the most charming creA>
ture l ever saw u
"Why then are you SO unwilling that
| should marry your nephew Z" IN .f'-s-s
Because want to marry you myself"
Rose started to her feet. .-
care you in earnest, sir 7"
al was never more SO in my life. I lovo
! you to distraction and shall consider myself
the happiest of men if you will become Mrs.
Josiah Poppleton." -. ..s-s 81
Rose turned her flashing eyes upon the
| speaker with look that he never forgot.
"If you were not Frederio's uncle should
express in very plain terms my opinion Of
you. As it is, ! hare only to say that there
| il the door, and TO ask you TO CO."
Mr. Poppleton did not wait for \ second
| invitation. e ~
| On reaching the corner he looked back,
just in time to catch glimpse Of his nephew
going in. - ---..,e..fI--. sit J.. s.y.r..t.E
Feeling very much ike one that had been
raised to crest height and set down very
suddenly DIR. POpplstOu went homo. ss.'H
Going upto his own room, no marched to
the mirror, --:-.. a,.usz. tas.-l..s
"Josiah Poppleton, /" he said. shaking his
| fist at the reflection there, "you are fraud,
dolt, an idiot, donkeyl You are q scoun-
drel of tho darkes. dye, and if JON were some
| bodu alsa I'd nuneh head ~
| Having thus relieved his feelings he sat
down. r.....s. ;.
Half an hour later he heard his pephew's
well,known step on the walk. Rushing TO
| the head of the stairs, he bswled out: u
"John, say I'm sick, that I'm out, that 1
can't see anybody
| But he was too late Fred was in the hall
| and half way up the stairs. ~
"Ah, uncle ~ cried the young man, with
. merry laugh, "that Was . cunningly con-
triyed plot Of yours |; the best joke I've heard
| yet The cream Of il is that Rose thought
! you were in earnest. You acted your part so
naturally that it was some time before could
make her understand that you were only
testing her love for me. But she sees il all
now. You found Rose a. true as steel, eh,
uncle and will make us both happy By Civ
ing your consent to our marriage 7"
Mr. POppleton not only gave this, but pre-
sented Rose, on her Wedding day, with .
house completely furnished.
He seemed little shy of her at hrst, bus
this soon wore away, or rather developed into
the paternaI affection growing out OF this nu-
tual relation, and the winning and ioveabie
qualities of his nephew's wife.
This little episode in his life had the good
effect of making him more distrustful OF him
ssH more tolerant of the follies and weak