The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-06-21
WAS HE IN EARNEST.
By MARY GRACE HspL y:

sAnd SO YOU think this Miss what's
her-name would be just as fast TO mar
no expectations whatever, instead o
being my nephew and supposed heir
There was hurt, indignant lool
upon the frank, young face that con
frontcd the speaker.
THE young lady's name is Ashton
and never said she was fast to mar
ry' me-
i beg your and the young lady
pardon. You think that Miss Ashtoa
would be just as aciiiing to marry yol
if she knew you to be poor man?'
Il do. would stake my life on tn
sincerity and disintcrcstedness of he
love-
Leaning back in his chair, Mr.. Pop
elton, senior, surveyed his nephew
with a smile of superior wisdom
which had in it something OF con
temptous pity.
| Ia tu6t . w hot OIL you NOuDS ICi
lows say when you are in love; W,
old fellows don't lose our heads 81
easily. And it's well for you we don't
Why don't l make tool OF myself
about some woman, I'd like to know
I've often wondered, uncle, why
you haven't married.
when i wa, at your age, l wa.
poor, and hau something else to think
of; and now THAT Pm Old, I've got
more sense. l hope. There's Peter
COmstock, whose head is "a gray 6.
mine. hes married girl oung enough
10 be his daughter, and pretty life
she leads him. When J.siah Pople
ton makes such a fool of himself, you
may shave his head, clasp straight.
jacket on him, and put him into lu-
natic hospital
The young man smiled, and then
looked grave.
You object to Miss Ashton because
she is poor and dressmaker?'
Nothing of the sort, Fred. l object
to her because she is mercenary.'
tYou have no right TO say that, un-
Gle, when you have never even seen
| her.
Il couldn't be surer Of it if 1 had
known her all my life,' said the old
gentleman, stoutly. tAll such people
a-e. You don't believe 1t, of course
but let her think you a poor man, OF
let rich one make her an offer, and
you would soon see.'
Here Mr.. Popleton, senior, glanced
at his watch.
you'll have to be lively, young
man, if you want to catch the next
train. You will find the bills for col
lection on my desk. Well tax this
matter over when you get back
Mr.. Popleton waited until he heard
the whistle of the train that took his
nephew out of town, and then putting
on his hat, and buttoning up his coat
with resolute air went out.
lie walked very swiftly, passing
through several streets aud around va
rious corners, until he came to the
house he was in search OLA modest
unpretending story-and-a-halt affair
on the faded green door of which
were these words:
MISS ASHTON, DREssMAKER.'
Mr.. Popleton regarded it with a
look OF stern disapproval, and then
settling his hat on his head with still
moro resolute air, marched up the
steps aud rang the bell.
After waiting some little time, the
door opened, revealing to his bewil
dered gaze the lovliest creature he hac
ever behold, whose rosy lips and VIC
let eyes smiled out upon him, a.
though he was an old, and long ex
pected friend.
lie stared at her for moment, ant
then said:
4 am Josiah Popleton, and l wis'
to see Miss Ashton
The rosy lips dIInrled into brigh
smile.
THAT is my name, sir. Won't yo'
walk IMP
Mr.. PopletOn found himself in on
of the coziest, chcerest little sitting
rooms in the world
The first thing his eyes fell upol
was his own photograph. cabinet size
in little rustic fra me on the mantel
He remembered giving it to his neph
ew. And he remembered too, wit
considerable satisfaction, that it was
Remarkably fine like ness.