Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1877-06-22
A TEST OF CHARACTER.


"Uncle Henry said Julia Denham,
may | see you in the library a moment
this morning?'
Certainly, my dear am at your
command now" and he led the way into
the room Tic handed his niece to an
armchair and took seat opposite her.
Uncle, " said Julia, with little be-
coming confusion, II have received an
Offer"
"Whew p exclaimed her uncle chat
is coming to the point with venganoe .
and | wish to consult you about it +"
"a very sensible resolution May
know from whom tho offer has been re-
ceived 2"
Edward Fitzroy."
"You haven't known him very long ?"
"Not-very," said Julia, slowly.
"But you think you know all about
him. daro say. Are you very much
in love with him ?"
"Not desperately" answered Julia,
smiling. "At the same time confess
that | am strongly prepossesscd in his
favor"
"And this prepossession is likely to
become a warm sentiment. Well, my
little niece, as you have requested my
advice, | 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
to form deliberate opinion Of bis char
acter. IL l mistake not this is your
case. Now it is my theory that no
woman ought to marry unless she is suffi-
GENTLY well acquainted with her intended
husband to have pretty confident as
surance of leading happy life with
him. therefore counsel you to delay
giving your answer for a month, and in
that time | will contrivo to become better
acquainted with him."
Your advice is good" said Julia,
thoughtfully, "and l will follow it,"
THANK you" said her uncle, kindly,
"for tho confidence you have reposed in
my judgment. l sincerely hope that the
young man will prove to DO all that we
can desire"
Edward Fitzroy was 10 business in the
neighboriag city. Ho had embarked a
small property inherited from his father,
in dry goods establishment, and hav-
ing a good business tact was driving a
fourishing trade. His acquaintance with
our heroine had commenced during a
summer residence at the village which
sho made her home. 1t was not strange
that he should have been attracted BY
julia. Her gaycty, vivacity and beauty
made her generally admired and had
anything else been requisite the reputa-
ton Of being her uncle's heiress would
have procured her suitors. But it is
not necessary to dwell futher on this
point Of our story. Wo are interested
to learn how Uncle Henry's plans sue
ceeded.
He first made cautious inquiries rela-
tive to the young mans business stand
ing, all of which were answered salts
factorily. But this did not satisfy him.
Ho wished to 500 for himself. Accord
ingly he purchased suit of clothing
80 different from that which he was
accustomed to wear, that with pair
Of green goggles super-addcd ho felt
convinced they would disguise him
sufficiently for his purpose. Thus attired
be lounged into the store, and inquired
for some trifing article. Ho was pur-
posely very slow in being suited 49,
Meanwhile he watched with some alton
ton the bearing of Fitzroy, who was
trading with fashionably attired lady
at a little distance. Nothing could be-
more polite or obsequious than the
conduct Of the young tradcsman. With
unweared assiduity he took down from
the shelves and displayed large stock
Of merchandise, until the fastidious taste
Of the lady was at length suited.
"ie is attentive to his customers,
thought Uncle Henry. "That is good
sign. But perhaps it may be simply
because she is rich and fashionable. -
Here's a customer Of different kind.
Let me see how lac treats her."
At this moment woman, very poorly
dressed, with worn and weary express
sion, "a if she were better acquainted
with the dark than the bright side of
life, entered the street door and advanced
to the counter. The affablc smile which
Fitzroy bad in his interview with tho
last customer disappeared, and in its
place was seen the s1porcilious glance.
IL would like TO look at some calicoes,"
said the customer.
Here are some" said Fitzroy, curtly, |