The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-07-30

and Mr.. Warning was laboriously compos-
ing little impromptu speech for the oc-
cnsion, when M unexpected addition was
made to the family circle ut The Reeds.
This was MIR. Charles Walton, duck
hunter and friend of the family. He had
made one or two visits to The Reeds be-
fore, was distant connection, indeed
and now, finding himself in the vicinity
on his hunting expedition, anchored his
little sail-boat in II cove near the house,
and drought his traps, "as he observed,
with u cheerful smile, "tOspend q week.
Mr.. Warning groaned in spirit. Was
there ever such luck? His Inst paternal
suggestions to the youthful Charles
Walton had been III reference to mnidens
of sixteen; he Ind alluded to them III IN
elderly manner ~ unopened rose-buds,
uniietged ducks whom il was 80 easy to
capture; he himself preferred another
lescription-and here was the sequel.
He, the paternal adviser, was hopelessly
trying to make an impression on one Of
these inexperienced beings---and the
young Charley Walton would be there to
look on and laugh Mt him.
For Mr.. Percy Warning was not making
any impression. Having maturely con-
siiered the matter, he decided that he
might M well make up his mind on that
subject. If he was making any impress
sion mt all, il was of one of the wrong
description. Miss Jean grew steadily
cooler toward him, and constantly warm
or toward Mr.. Charley Walton. They
were together nearly all the time now,
and Miss Jean was evidently delighted
L. y,
on him with her brightest smiles. and
was the soul Of mirth. She distinguish
ell him in hundred ways, and Mr..
Percy Warning i'll as many, only the ways
were not the same. In the society of
the young admirer she was all sunshine,
and the skies were brilliant; in the socie-
ty Of the elder, the sun seemed to have
gone under cloud, and the sky was
gray. 1t was quite unmistakable, Mr..
Warning informed himself, aud thereupon
acted like man of courage. He retired
with Charles Walton to II seat i'll the
grounds, and Offering his cigar case, said:
Charley, my boy, did You ever med
itate on the subject of preachers ?"
"On preachers, count ?" said Mr..
Walton, with II puzzled smile.
"On the fact, meant to say, that
they don't always practice what they
preach. II is u fact, Charles-you be-
hold melancholy illustration. laugh
ell ut you once; now the laughs Ill on
your side, aud Percy Warning means to
hold down his hen and bear it. He ad-
vised Won to fall in love with ~ sweet
sixteencr, and he has gone and done SO
himself Miser. bic man he has not
found the game so easy to capture as he
supposed. He has no. achieved COM
plete victory. In fact, he has been
crilshed-hc is going I''ay on the mo :
row--,lnd he solicited this interview il
order to say that he woJld he prepared
on TINT solemn occasion to extend his
patel nal arms about two young people,
and say, in choked voice, Bless, you,
my children!"
"Don't do it, Count" exclaimed
Charley Walt IN, laughing heartily.
But Mr.. Warning shook his head in n
mournful manner. cts better to re-
treat than stay and be cut to pieces, my
son. You'd have to gather together my
remains, you see, and that would be
painful"
"Stay week, and then 60 back with
me. | want You for my best man."
"Your best man, Charles?"
"Didnt mention thnt am going To
be married?"
married ?"
"To my cousin, your friend on the
avenue, where spent that last evening.
/ put off my duck hunt, rs you were GO
ing away, and made expenses"
Mr.. Percy Warning elevated his eye
brows, and the hand holding his cigar.
"NOw you won't hurry off III such a
sudden way, will you?" said Charley
Walton, laughing.
"Yes; I've made up my mind. Illgo
and wait for you, and be your best man
too"
"You're good fellow, count, if there
ever was one. l wish could"
81 know you do, my son; but you
can't. So I'm going to fall back"
"Don't CO. count. Or, if You are
resolved, take last sail with me in my
sail-boat. Miss Jeans going"
Mr.. Warning laughed in tragic man.
ner. can inducement; but believe
won't intrude, my son."
"Take your valise with You, md hal
the steamer. I'll put you on board"
Mr. Warning reelected. "Well, that
will do" he said, And now, Charles,
II last word of advice"
"Of advice?"
Don't court sweet sixteener. II
don't pay, Charles"
1t was Il very fine October morning