Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-06-05
MIscELIAREo aus.
WAS HE IN EARNEST7

WAS Ill LIN 6AhN6S1
.$.s ND SO you think this Miss whaps-her~
3 ~ name would be justas fast to marry you
if you were poor man, with no expectations
whatever, instead of being my nephew and
supposed heir Z"
There was q hurt, indignant look upon
the frank young, face that confronted the
speaker. .,.,t-.
"The young lady's name is Ashton and ]
never said she was 'fast to marry me-"
81 beg your and the young lady's pardon.
You think that Miss Ashton would be just
as ,viVing to marry you if she knew you to
be q poor man 7"
al do. would stake my life on the sim
cerity and dieinterestedness of her love-"
Leaning back in his chair, Mr.. Poppleton,
senior, surveyed his nephew with smile of
superior wisdom, which had in it something
of contemptuous pity.
"Hal that's what all you young fellows
say when you are in love; We old fellows
don't lose our heads SO easily. And it's well
for you we don't. Why don't I make fool
of myself about some woman, I'd like to
know Pr
'.I'ye often wondered, uncle, why you
haven't married"
"When was at your age, 1 was poor and
had something else to think of; and now
that I'm old, I've got more sense, / hope.
There's Peter Comstock, whose head is Us
gray as mine, he's married a girl young
enough to be his daughter, and a pretty life
she leads him. When Josiah Poppleton
makes such fool of himself, you may shave
his head, clasp q straight,jackot on him, and
put him into 'lunatic hospital"
The young man smiled, and then looked
grave. '""
"You object to Miss Ashton because she
is poor and dressmaksr 2"
s.Nothing of the SOFT, Fred. / object to
her because she is mercenary."
s'You have no right to say that, uncle,
when you have never even seen her"
81 couldn't be surer Of it if 1 had known
her all my life," said the old gentleman,
stoutly. "All such people arc. You don't
believe it, of course but let her think you
q poor man, or let rich one make her an
offer, and you would soon see."
Hero Mr.. Poppleton, senior, glanced Mt
his watch. E.. .s4re-
.You'll have to be lively, young man, if
you want to catch the next train. You will
Gnd the bills for eollsotion on my desk.
Ws'lItalk the matter over when you get
back" - .arsHa
Mr.. Poppleton waited until he heard the
of town, and then putting on his hat, and
buttoning up his coat with resolute air, went
out. li.ts $3.50
He walked very swiftly. passing through
several streets and around various corners,
until no came to the house he was in search
of-a modest unpretending story-and-a half
affair, on the faded green door of which
were these words:
"MIss ASHTON, DREssMAKER."
Mr.. Poppleton regarded it with look Of
stern disapproval, and then settling his hat
on his head with a still more resoluts air,
marched up the steps and raog the bell.
After waiting some little time, the door
opened, revealing to his bewildered gaze the
loveliest creature he had ever behold, whose
rosy lips and violet eyes smiled out upon him,
| as though he was an old and loug-expected
| friend. es ral
He stared at her for moment, and then
said:
81 am Josiah Poppleton, and I wish to
see Miss Ashton" isi--
The rosy lips dimplsd into still brighter
smile.
That is my name sir. Won't you walk
in 2" gsr5- .
Mr.. Poppleton found himself in one of
the coziest, cheeriest little sitting rooms in
| the world.
The first thing his eyes fell upon was bis
own photograph, cabinet size, in little
rustic frame on the mantel. he remem>
bered giving i. to his nephew. And he re,
membered, too, with considerable satisfaction
that it was a remarkably fine likeness.
''The little baggage knew me, he thought
as he took = seat, "and that was what made
her smile 81"
he fei. bis courage oozing from the end.
of his fingers. Somshow, it didn't seem
such an easy thing as he had faDcied i
would be to carry out the programme he laid
down for himself, and he began to wish he
was most anywhere else. But here he was
and he must go through with it.
"Miss Ashton-abem! I suppose you
know that 1 am Frederic Poppleton's uncle,
and so can guess why am here 2"
Rose glanced up sh5ly q. the speaker from
beneath the long, brown lashes.
81 suppose it is because he asked Jou te
! -nmsp
"Notbing of the kind. He didn't kp0"
= word about it."
| aOb y,