The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1880-01-16

gas consuming stoves, and one is not
txAnbled in the way you suppose"
spray, Mr.. smartness, permit me to
Inquire how long you have been pos
sessed of this valuable information? /
have known IL for some years, or rather
have heard it said that these stoves
were gas-burners, bnt it's all lie
there's not word of truth in it. 1've
known them to send out as much gas
as would kill an OK, il he were confined
in the atmosphere. Now, sir, don't
you feel like fool ?''
'sCome, now, father" replied my
grandmother, "don't be so severe on
the boy (She called me boy to the
day of her death). s.He only told you
what he heard, no doubt, aud OF course
every one is liable TO make mistakes,
especially about such matters"
ssThat puts me in mind,'' continued
my grandfather, "of asking you how
you are coming on with your piano
playing friend ?"
"I scarcely see her except on Sum-
days"
"IIumph!' % returned my grandfather,
clearing his throat.
I did not like the ejaculation. | had
often heard it before, and regarded it
with the same apprehension that mar
iner does an ugly cloud that rises up to
the windward.
"Hnmph % he continued, blowing a
column of smoke toward the china orna-
ment on the mantle piece, "what are
you good for ?'' He looked very
sqnarely at me as he asked the ques-
ton. lie evidently expected reply,
so answered By saying that as yet
did not know.
tThat's candid, at all events" he re-
piled. sI've been thinking good deal
about you of late, and it occurred to
me that you might make a poor lawyer
after all And you know what poor
lawyer is. You rememuer Simmons,
the man who used to board about upon
the farms during the Summer time
Well, he was what they termed poor
lawyer. lie hadn't brains enough to
make his profession support linn, and
was ready to do writing or saw
wood to help exc out livelihood"
GLOW unreasonable yon are, father,' .
suggested my grandmother.
He did not appear to notice her re-
mark, but continued
s'Can You turn a somersau!t ?''
"I never tried" replied.
"Then You are not as expert as a
clown. For the life of me can't see
what good you are goirg to do ih the
world"
"And can't see,' said my dear old
grandmother, "what occasion there will
be for the boy to mend clocks or turn
sumersaults. To hear you talk, one
would think yoa had nothing to leave
him but your advice, and that is not O
the most encouraging nature.'
ga young man should rely upon him
self, returned my grandfather. "Riche'
take wings. I've managed to hold my
property together pretty we'll, but how
do [ know he will do SO when you ane
/ are gone? He'll marry Miss Miller
What sort OF wife will she mak'
him? Smart with her heels, no doubt
Nimble with her. fingers at the old
organ, but those won't serve to keep 1
family from going headlong to dcstruc
ton"
"Sally Miller is very prudent and
useful girl,' replied my grandmother
81 don't see what you find amiss il
: her."
"Don't you?'' he replied. Then ht
relapsed into silence, and smoked and
looked into the fire.
By and by he got up and walked out
of the room, and then my dear old
grandmother took my hand and held il
within her own, and told mo not tc
fret, that she would bring my grand
father to think better of my sweet
heart.
I thanked her ever so much, but
had little hope that she would ever b,
successful.
i About this time my grandfather wa
selling some property in the town wher,
I was reading law, and it became Deces
sary for him to go there to sign tn,
deed for the sale. At his request
accompanied him.
It was nearly evening when his busi
was finished, and we set out on GU
return home. -Four thousand dollars
the proceeds OF the sale INV ovra nd