Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1878-01-17

again"
"No, sir"
"And, John, l want you to see that
have all the letters that come to the hous,
before anybody else sees them"
"Yes, sir" Ell E. ~
And, John, | want you to keep you
eyes open, and if you discover anything o
suspicious character, let me know of it
Yes, sir" .t.. /... ..I.r
THAT will do, John. You may 60"
That night was sleepless one for Mr.
Hardcash. lie was on the verge of fnan.
cial ruin Hehad note to pay the next day
OF ten thousand dsllars, and no funds with
which to meet it. He was considered tc
be wealthy, but bis property was mortgagod
heavily to make good number Of exten-
sive losses.
His only hope was in Frederick Fitz-
Noodle, wealthy young man, who prom
ised to pay the note in case Helen would
consent to be his wife
Morning dawned at last on Mr.. Hard
cash weary eyes, and breakfast was scarce
ly over when Mr. Frederick Fitz-Noodle
was announced.
lie was shown into the library, where
Mr.. Hardcash was seated.
Good morning, my dear Mr.. Fitz-N Moo
die. Pray be seated | suppose you came
to obtain my daughters answer to the pro-
posal which you honored her.
Yes" drawIcd Mr.. Fitz- Noodle, that's
what came for. But where is the charm
ing young lady I"
Il have sent for her; she will be here
in moment"
Exactly Well, ah you think she will
have me p
"No doubt about it. %
Then the moneys yours, my dear fell
lab. | have the check made out, and will
sign il when she accepts it, you know, ah p
Well, | hear her coming and have
no doubt her answer will be satisfactory"
"Good-morniag my dear Miss Hard
cash, or Helm, a hope may be allowed
to call you" said NJ. Fitz Noodle, making
a low bow to the lady as she entered the
room.
Don't fatter yourself. Mr. Fitz- Noodle,
sl,a'n't give you the right to call me any.
thing but Miss Hardcash'' y
What shrieked her father.
"Wh t." gasped the astonished suitor
Just what say" she replied. II
don't mean to marry you, Mr.. Fitz- Noodle,
so you might as well take your departure
with your check unsigned | am not
slave, to be bought and sold with your
money"
But, my daughter expostulated her
mo butts about it," she returned, de-
eide 'ly. Come ruin, come anything, |
shall not sell myself for money"
Her father urged, entreated, and threat
ened her, but with no effect she couldn't
be moved. At length he flew into pas
sion, nothing unusual with him, and sent
her from the room
Mr.. Fitz Noodle took up his hat to leave
Cant you lend me the money if she
don't have you? She may change her
mind
No, l can't, really Business is bust
ness, you know, all y
And you won't take my note for the
amount ~
mo, [ can't you know, ah =
'Nell go to grass with your money !"
cried the choleric old gentleman, losing all
hope and his temper at the same time
The young man made hasty exit, fol-
lowed by decided oath from Mr. Hard
cash.
Il never saw anything work so badly "
fumed the disappointed man just as
thought | had everything arranged to save
myself, Helen, the ungratefu hussy. must
needs upset everything by her obstinacy" "
His soliloquy was interrupted by the en-
trance of John, whose face wore an express
sion of profound satisfaction, and who car
ried in his hand letter
"What is that?" asked Mr.. Hardcash,
as he took the letter
Something I picked up on the stairs
it is directed to Miss Hardcash"
She hasn't read it, see, /" remarked the
father as he broke the seal.
The contents fairly made him boil over
with rage. 1t ran as follows:
"DEAREsT HELEN II have arranged all.
| We will elope tonight At nine o'clock |
will be at the side door with pair of horses
and close carriage | have a minister
engaged, and ere moring we will be far
out of reach of your old tyrant of a father,
and you shall be the dear little wife of your
devoted TOM"
.Old tyrant of father indeed = said
MIR. Hardcash. "A nice little plot but
there's many slip twixt the cup and the
lip my fine fellow, and shall be ready for
you. Ny daughter shall be locked in her
room and Wen see if she will be your dear
little wife. T"
He folded the letter up and put it in his
pocket Then he set about making ar
r'ugements to frustrate the elopement.
Night came at last. Helen complained
OF neadache, and retired early Her ia
ther saw that she was locked into the room
and the key safe in his pocket
Then he chucked to himself, and laid in
wait for poor Tom
N;oc o'clock came, and still the o'l ceu-