Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-09-18
Srlctte0 Storp.
the TEST OF CHARACTER.
bl HoR,rro ,LGER. iE

nele Henry" said Julla Denham.
"may see you In the library moment
this morning ?"
Certainly. my dear. am at your
command now" and he led The way into
the room.
lie handed his niece to an arm chair,
and took a seat opposite her.
"Uncle." said Julia, with little be-
coming confusion. II have received an
offer
''Whew ~ exclaimed her uncle. chat
is coming to the point with q vengeance" )"
"Aud wish to consult you as TO 10
cepling i, or not"
"A very sensible resolution. May !
know from whom THE offer has been re
ceived ?"
Edward Fiizroy."
"You haven't known him very long ~
"Not-very." said Julia, slowly.
but you think you know AL about
him, dare say Are you very much in
love with him ?"
Not desperately" answered Julia,
smiling. AT the same time confess
that 7 am strongly prepossessed in his
favor"
And this prepossession is likely 10
become a warm sentiment. Well, nay
little niece. as you have requested my ad-
vice, will give it. | do not object to
this lover OF yours. Indeed know
nothing against him. But then | know
too little of him. at any rate. to be able
10 form deliberate opinion of his char
ac,er. Ii mistake not this is also your
case. Now this is my theory. that no
woman ought to marry unless she Is
sufficiently well acquainted with her in
tended husband. TO have pretty conf
dent assurance OF leading a happy life
with him. Il therefore counsel you
to delay giving your answer for month,
and in that time | will contiive to be-
come better acquainted with him
Your advice is good" said julia,
lhoughtiully, land | will follow it."
Il thank you" said her uncle, kindly,
''for the confidence you have reposed in
my judgment. | sincerity hope that the
young man will prove to be all that we
can desire"
Edward Filzroy was in business in the
neighboring city. lie had embarked a
small property Inherited from his father,
in dry goods establishment on Wash
ingtOn street, and having a good business
tact was driving hourishing trade. His
acquaintance with our heroine had com.
menced during 8 summer residence at
the village which she made her home. Ii
was not strange that he should have been
attracted to Julia. Her gaiety, viyacity
and beauty made her generally admired,
and had anything else been requisite the
reputation of being her uncle's heiress
would have procured her suitOrs. But IL
is not necessary to dwell farther on this
point of our story. We are interested to
learn how uncle Henry's plan succeeded.
He first made cautious inquiries rela.
tive to the young mans business standing,
/ all of which were answered satisfactorily
Bu: this did not satisfy him. lie wished
to see Tor himself. Accordingly he pur-
/ chased 8 suit OF clothes so different from
/ that which he was accustomed TO wear,
that with pair of green goggles super
] added he ielt convinced they would dis
! guise him sufficiently for his purpose
Thus attired he lOunged to the store
and inquired for some trifing article. He
was purposely very slow in being suited
! Meanwhile he watched with some atten.
ton the bearing OF Fitzroy, who was
trading with fashionable attired lady al
/ little distance Nothing could be more
polite or obseguious than the conduct ol
the Young tradesman. With unwesriec
assiduity he took down from the shelve:
and displayed large stock oi merehan'
disc, until the fastidious taste OF the lady
was at length suited.
ale is attentive to his customers,
thought Uncle Henry. That is gooC
sign. But perhaps il may be simply De-
/ eanse she IS Iich and fashionable. Here:
customer OF different kind. Let mt
see bow he treats her"
At this moment woman very poorly
dressed. with a worn and weary expires
sion, hs if she were better acquainted
with the dark than with the bright side
] - ,;ea sntared the street door and al