The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-07-03
THE GOLDEN HAIRPIN.
BY ii. 8. TONER.
From the Detroit Free Press. !

L
George Adolphus Clarendon was younl
man OF pleasing presence, whose age was no
far from 20 years. His father had long anC
successfully conducted a most exemplary mea
market al the corner of Market and ST. Clai
streets, in the thriving village of Wcsiord II
Central New York and had amassed compc
tence by fair and honorable means. But the
son held the meat business in adherence ant
steadfastly refused to entertain the thought o.
following it for livelihood. He conceived
himself TO be formed of quality Of clay quite
above the average, and was often heard nut
tering incOherently in his sleep about the
"hlgher walks of life" Old Mr. Clarendon
was stern father, and he determined that II
George Adolphus would not sell meat he
should be compelled to engage in the distrbu
ton of tracks, with the heels towards the pa
ternal mansion. George Adolphus accepted
the perlpatetIc alternative with cheerful alacr
ty, and went on an aimless tramp. lie said
he was going In search OF his proper level.
III.
Maud Muller was the only child of retired
banker in the sleepy town of Couponvillc, an
aristocratic village in one of the eastern coun.
ties Of OHIO Mauds charms, both physical
and mental, were the rarest ever lavishcd upon
women and she had been favored with every
advantage OF education that money could pur-
chase. Her beauty ana accomplishments had
made her the IDOL of a large circle of young
men, to not one of whom had she ever given
the least encouragement. They swarmed under
herchamber window on moonlight nights and
made the long hours hideous with their cater.
waulings, until old Muller got tired of ii and
stole around the corner of the house with n
gun loaded with tenpenny nails and let drive
at the flock, killing three outright and wound
ing four others so that they died on the follow
ing Morning That was the kind of man Mr..
Muller was; but he was exceedingly fond OF
his daughter and had always been kind to her.
One evening as Maud was emerging from
her b0udoir, where she had been scrutinizng
a large mirror and dressing for the opera, she
was net by her father with the information
that Mr. Muggcton waited IN the parlor be-
low
Now Mr. Muggeton was an ancient fossil
who had taken great fancy to Maud, and as
he was man of high social standing and
great wealth, Mr.. Muller had thought best to
encourage him as much as possible, hoping
that his daughter would have the good sense
10 offer no objection ON account Of age.
"Nr. Muggleton Is waiting" repeated MIR.
Muller.
well, give him my compliments and tell
him 20 keep on waiting" returned Maud, with
some spirit,
But don't you intend to go down? Are you
going to be rude!'
"Ch, yes" she replied with an injured air
IA go down and stroke his shiny old bald
lesd and ask him about his children and his
grandchildren, and I'll ask him to give me
some personal recollecti0ns of Noah. And ii
you Ike. Ill go to the opera with him, and
I'll asl. n if there was better talent ON the
boards en- he and Methusclah were youngp'
mo Maud" said Mr. Muller, you are
makit fool of yourself Mr.. Muggleton
never ,aw Noah in his life. AS to grandchi
dren, you know very we'll that he is bachc
or and hasn't relative in the world, so far as
he knows | command you TO present your
self al once, and if you don't behave properly
there will be young lady about your size beg
ging her bread in the streets before she is
aware of it,
With these words the indignant father turn
cd on his heel and left Maud to choose which
alternative she would.
While the events above narrated were tran
spring young man possessing a dlgnilled
bearing and eighty-fve cents IN money, wa,
just entering the brlllantly-lighted town Of
Couponville In search of his level. 1t was
larger town than he had ever before seen, and
he was consequently somewhat dazzled and
bewldcred. He began to be doubtful about
finding his level that night, ~ the evening was
rapidly wearing away and another question
was beginning to trouble him, namely: How
vas he going to reach the higher walk of lif,
without more money! How was he to be &
high toned gentleman aud live in lofter at
mosphere than that which pervadcd the meat
shops, with so small q sum az eighty-tivc cent?
in his pocket? As he walked gloomily alons
the strange thoroughiarc, busy with thes'
troublesome reflections, he heard lond tone
issuing from mansion which he was jus
passing A moment later the front door open
ed and slight female figure hurried SILENT,
out icto the street, and passing him with
quick determined tread, was soon out of hi
sight
When Maud covered from the shock which
her fathers angry words had given her, sh
Immediately determined upon course of &C
ton. She resolved that she would be turne,
out of doors before she would consent to 90 b
the opera with an antediluvian relic, who wal,
ed for her in the parlor. She called her fathe
back and told him her determination. Tn
result was that the proud young beauty wa
promptly elected through the hall door; 70
she 1t was who had passed George Aaolphu
as he wandered on IN search of his level.
When Mr.. Muggleton had waited for MauC
until he was tired and on the point OF leaving
Nr Muller entered the ROOM and apologiziu
Tor the nOn-sppearance of his daughter by say
ing that she had violent headache. begge
him % come again In few days, as Maui
would then be delighted TO see him. Til
truth was that Mr.. Muller had no idea Of pur
ishing his daughters disobedience with pc
manent Punishment. He reasoned that sh
would surely go to some of her friends and r,
turn in penitence in the morning.
V.
Geor &c Adolphus followed swiftly on sftc
the ycu ng lady, hardly knowing why be di
50, but feeling irresistbly drawn by some ~
accountable presentlment that all was not We
with her. In moment he came up with be
and followed at little distance, watching he