Weekly Trinity journal., 1877-02-10
MAN PROPOSES.

HAN PHUfUoES.
Old Norton and old Berton had made
the name of Morton, Berton & Co.,
Bankers" synonym for security. They
had also built up two magnificent for
tunes which their proAigate sons occu-
pied themselves most assiduousy in
spending. The old men were both dead
now, but Co." was alive, and on poor
Co." devolved the running of the bus
iness, for tho present senior" partners
were almost strangers to the office
These latter were inclined to be of the
" fast sort" and although their knowledge
of the banking business was limited, let
it be said to their credit that in the scien-
tifc game of billiards they were most
proficient. The fair sex spoke of them
in awe-stricken tones as livery wild, "
and yet judging from the matrimonial
traps set tor them, this was not consider
ed as particularly derogatory character
istic. They (Which word, | beg leave to
state is a personal pronoun referring to
jesse Norton and Charley Berton) had
been classmates at college, where to use
the classic vernacular ofthat seat of learn
ing, they "run together" and being
of thorough congenial tastes and habits,
friendship had outlived their graduation
days.
Jesse Norton was the elder, and prob
ably had little more of that commodity
entitled Common Sense," compared to
the other, be was quiet he was not, how
ever, one of those model young men, who
implicitly follow the old maxim to "thnk
twice before you act," he generally
thought once.
Charley Berton never thought at all
He was of the genus "good fellow" and
was universally liked, impulslve, light.
hearted, and generous to fault. But
there were deeper clements in his charac.
ter than showed themselves on the sur.
face. He was true friend, but could
hate as well as love. In spite of his han
dysm and wild ways, old gray-headed
fathers had often said "There's som(
good in Charley Berton."
The reader, gentle or otherwise, will
pardon my introducing him (or her pos.
| sibly) into a such a scene of confusion as
was presented by the room of our friends
one pleasant morning in early Summer
Norton, who was reclining on sofa,
with cigar in each hand, manufactur.
ing rings of smoke with zeal which was
commendable, suspended his occupation
for moment to ask;
Charley, do you really intend to mar
ry that Montague girl ?"
"S'pose I'll have to-" he answered
with confessional air.
why ?"
"Well, it has always been a kind OF
misunderstood thing, you know, ever
since Nellie and first made mud pies
together, that we'd be married some day,
but | never regularly engaged myself
till last Spring.
What did you do that for ?"
"Had todd woman inquired after
my ntentions-wanted to know if was
trihing with an innocent girls affections,
and all that sort Of thing. got scared
and proposed" exclaimed Charley pune
tuating his remarks with pufs of smoke.
81 don't mind it much, though" he vol
unteercd, in continuation, "except the
old woman. I'd just as leave marry n
pretty girl like Nellie, but l don't like to
marry the family"
What will become Of me ?" asked
Norton, rather gIoomiy.
Get married yourself"
Thank you do not care for any Of
that pie"
WE'LL" and Charley lit a fresh cigar
very complacently, " do what you please
then I'm not your keeper"
1.-The idea of marrying at twenty two, I"
said Norton, " break it off, Charley
you're not old enough"
"The devil,' exclaimed Charley
This was the most unkindest cut Of all
He had been called young. Further than
his first exclamation, however, he said
nothing, but reapsed into taciturhity,
thinking, "what confounded insolent
ass Norton was this morning"
Neither of the pair felt in suffi eiently
good humor to carry on an animated
quarrel, consequently nothing was said
for some time, until Charley, who had
been gazing abstractedly out OF the win
dow, became suddenly interested in some
thing outside.
Look here, jess, who is that girl p
he said.
Don't you know her ? 1 thought ev-
cry one knew her."
Why ?"
"She's talked about a great deal"
"You haven't told me who she is
yet."