The Republican journal., 1877-08-16
Check Before Mate.
From Cassell's Family Magazine

IneI0 vas the invitation, and | knew
Winnie must have a hand in my getting
it, but all the same was miserable, de
jected, jealous, and-twenty one. At last,
after declaring | would not go a dozen
times, vowed | would
'Fll get an answer, yes or no." | said
"a girl has no business to tritle like this
with mans feelings"
| looked accidentally, of course-in
the glass as | said this, and this is what
l saW-a fair, boyish face, with a com
pleXion like a girls, and every scrap Of
nun scraped OFT to make it grow more
strongly.
L was annoyed with my face, my APP
pearance, my dress, with everything, al
though | was healthy. straight, and as
well dressed as young fellow could be.
1t was 10 o'clock then, and had been
two hours dressing. | will not relate how
many times | had parted and re-parted
my hair, nor how exercised in my mind |
mad been as to whether should wear the
lavender trousers or the pale brown, and
whether the plain blue or the blue and
white tie suited me the better Suffice it
that there | was in the plain blue tie,
black coat, pale-butf drill vest, and those
N~NNNN'A'Nii'
Sers, gracefully falling over patent leath-
er boots, while more glossy new hat
than the one | took out Of the box was
never seen.
There was not a wrinkle in my pale
straw ~colored Kid gloves when | started,
and as | got out into the bright July sun
shine, could not help smiling after all
with sef-satistaction.
Inv no l,.,,i,. IL
at The Elms and as reached the gate
could see the waggOnetteS waiting, and
the ladies' dresses through the trees as
the merry party stroIed about the lawn,
waiting for the hour to start eleven pre-
cisely.
"HoW do, jackson ," said Wnnics IA
ther, brusquely, as he gave my straw
kldded hand Il squeeze, and | saw him
run his eye supercliously over my COS
tune, with the consequence that a hot
flush ran up to the roots of my hair, and
| felt quite cross as | walked across the
lawn to where Winnie Morris was stand
ing amid Il group Of friends
81 want to have five minutes talk with
you, Miss Morris, | said grayely ''Will
you let me speak to YOU when we arc at
the grove ~
WI b'tllLl.N, MI. JuCkSpll, SttUl Nllt.
half laughing at my serious aspect and
then was alone and very uncomtortahlr:
for nobody seemed to make any advances
to me us stal6ed solcmnly about.
"Theres IL rosebud for YOU. Fred.
cried a merry voice, and Winnie erkcd
one to me out Of a basket
| felt better then, till saw that She
distributed one to every gentleman in the
party. when felt WORSE
At last we were off. and sat SulklN
at the end Of one of the waggonrttes. for
old Morris had frustrated all my plans To-
get near Winnie on the journey down 10
the grove, where the picnic was to be in
honor of Winnies eighteenth birthday.
We reached the selected place, and ut
last contrved that Winnie and should
be alone in one of the gladcS where i'm
impassioned tones | spoke of my love,
begging for reply.
''Really, Fred" cried Winnie at last,
drawing away her hand, II don't think
You ought to ask for an answer now.
have always liked YOU"
but ask for your love-" said gloom
ily
"Why, we are both very Young vet.
Fred, and Come we must get back to
our friends"
~ on reject me then !'
I'm afraid you are hungry, Young
man., said Il voice that came upon me
like a thunder-clap, "or YOU would NOT
talk in that Byronie strain. did not
| come to listen to you, but if Young people
| choose to talk stuff in public places vou
must take the consequences"
gazed at the burly figure and straw
hat before me, feeling endless huuilia-
tionS.
Papa" exclaimed Winnie, hlushnI.
Not cross, my dear You've behaved
very sensibly Now, Young man You
mean marriage, suppose! ?"
'OfcoulSe, sir
"What is your income ,"
"WelI, sir, only Il hundred wear, but
'les; Of course, improve and that sort
of thing. You are a clerk To fine hate
firm of Creedie x Spray :"
TO tie firm, sir, and in their conf
dcnce"
Late firm. In the Gazette this morn
ing. Failed. Nour income is nothing.
Dinners ready Come, if You are mol
afraid of soilng Yourself"
1t was all over then. This was Why
so easily got a holiday. | was desperate
aS the stern old fellow marched us of To
the dinner spread beneath a great uak,
and Winnie did not even glance at me-.
| tore off my delicate gloves with
halt-savage smile hung my hat on Il
tree; and kncClng down on the grass, |
set to carving chickens for the guests
III cant degrade myself too mach NOW,
| said to myself; and somehow in work
ing hard, and getting terribly hot in sat-
istying the wants of others, | forgot my
own troubles, even wandering that /
should laugh good-humorrdIy when in
opening some bottled stout il Spurtcd all
over my pale vest and shoWy shirt.
AT last, Just us we were about to return
home. was aStonShcd bv old Morn,
taking me by the arm.
Fired" he said, II took YOU for a fool.
and Il talor'S dummy. see you cau act
like Il man under difficulties Nothing
like trouble TO bring man to his Srnsrs
Come to the counting house in the morn
ing. BE off; Winnic's keeping place for
you Ivy her side"
went to the counting-houSc the ncNt
morning, and came away with tears in
my eyes, and they We're not caused bl
the Old man saving ! was to talk no non
SENSE to Winnie for two wears. In fact, |
am now a partner i'll the firm. and is ii
impossible yes, it iS-liteen Years
ago this very day.
''Them Nails
When he returned to his home and
treasures at tea-time. Il few days since