The Russellville Democrat., 1880-12-30
THE WISER CHOICE,

HE NioEh tHUltb.
 'I wonder what Uncle Hugh will say | when he hears that Lambert and I are | Laura Earle looks up, as she l speaks, from the scented note she has l been perusing, which begins-"My ador- ed Laura" and. ends with-"Yours till l death."
 Say? what can he say to object? of course he will be proud to have his niece marry into so aristocratic family" Mrs Earle replies, in her usual naughty tone.
 q am not sure about that, mamma; you know that Uncle Hugh is queer and old-fashioned, and I don't believe he liked the cool way treated that favorite of his-that young Lesley"
 Nonsense, Laura; your uncle only likes Mir Lesley as one man likes another whom he has befriended. l can't i'm agine for moment he could suppose that my daughter could ever think of car penter"
 "Well. I'm sure I hope that you are right, for Madame Blanchard's charges are pretty high, and l expect he'll give me the money for my trousseau."
 The bell rings, and a servant enters the boudier where the ladies are seated, to tell them that Mir. Hugh Fielding awaits them in the parlor.
 Laura was right in her intuitive feel ing that her ''old-fashioned" uncle would not look with any great favor upon her alliance with Lambert Rodney He does not scruple to speak his thoughts.
 "Umphl niece Laura, so you are going to throw yourself away upon that young flop, when you might once have had such a man as Burt Lesley.
 "Hrghi" exclaims his sister, "you are not seriousl Why, when Mir. Lesley called on Laura, felt that it was a great piece of presumption, and we soon showed him that we thought SO"
 Presumption Well, well, we won't quarrel. Laura's engaged, and l suppose all I've got to do is to put my hand in my pocket; but let me tell yoN, Maria, that though my young friend, Lesley, is poor and as you so scornfully say, a carpenter some day Laura will be sorry that she lost the opportunity of winning such a husband-for it was easy to see, when l introduced him to her, he was very much attracted. l mean 1t when l say, that 'an honest man is Gods noblest work, and that such man, be he rich or poorly born, can raise himself by | his power of brain into the highest posi- ton i'll our land-eyen to the Presidential chair.n
 The old gentleman suddenly stops; he | detects the vailed expression in his niece's brillient eyes, and sees that his
 words are only being wasted After little while he rises to go. "Well, Maria, here's the money for the
 wedding things. I'm sorry l can't con- gratulate Laura upon her choice" l With these abrupt words Uncle Hugh
 takes his leave.
 Laura opens the package, and curl oi | the lip shows that she is not pleased. l 'Five hundred dollars. Why, mama, it will only get my wedding dress I didn't | think Uncle Hugh would be so meanW
 "Neyer mind, Laura. When you are Lambert Rodney's wife you will never know the need of money"
 Let us follow Uncle Hugh as he walks ouickly a-.1sSg, striking his gold-headed cane now and then c,, s2 pavement, ano humming softly to himself.
 He comes to neat cottage in a qDesss street and enters unannounced.
 "Ah, brother Hugh, how glad am to see you after all these monthsl We have missed you so much"
 Eve only just returned from my trip, | Jane," he says, as he presses a kiss upon the smooth, placid brow of his sister.
 Then they seat themselves, and Hugh tells her all that has happened since they last met
 Suddenly, a fresh young voice rings through the hall:
 I'm over young to marry yet" and, so singing, a bright beautiful girl bounds into the room.
 It is Jane, Uncle Hugh's favorite niece.
 He strokes back the soft hair which waves and ripples willfully around the sweet face.
 "So you are 'ower young are you, little one? You are not like your cousin Laura, then, for she's 'wooed and won and a',' already"
 Then he tells them of Laura's engage ment.
 ''How foolish of Maria" exclaims Mrs. Fairleigh, ito allow Laura to put her life's happiness in that shallow-brained youths keeping! How thankful l should be that my little Jane has chosen one who l know has the fear of God in his heart"
 Jane covers her face with her hands to hide it's tell-tale expression, as her uncle | draws her to him.
 "So! sol go away for six months, and | come back to find both my nieces en- gagged to be married Who is the lucky | man that is to have our little Jane?"
 You will be surprised, Hugh, and I | know glad, to hear that it is your friend, | Mir. Lesley. He has told me that when | he first met Laura his fancy was touched | by her handsome face and fascinating | manners; but the moment he saw our Jane his heart went right out of his keep | ing" said Mrs. Fairleigh.
 "So little Jane IS to be Burt Lesley's bride? A carpenters wife-surely, sister, you are not looking very high"
 Jane lifts her eyes with an incredulous look to her uncles face; but she soon sees that he is only trying to tease her little.
 Five hundred dollarsl Only think, exolaims Jane, after her uncle has gone. T can lay two hundred dol ars of it away,for rainy day, l am sure, for Burt is not rich, and l shall not need an elaborate trousseau. How good Uncle Hugh is.'