The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-04-02

Very we'll Tell him LII De there In Anew
The boy darted OF, and Basil followed at
az wonder what the Governor can want OF
me at this unusual hour, he mutered
" What have l doney-po. not what have 1
done, but what has he found out. Ii is a self
evident fact that something's up. L always
have a presentment of evil when summoned 10
that office; occasioned, / infer, on account OF
the numerous chasiisements have received IN
that edifice during that period OF life fanillary
known a. the happy DAYS OF boyhood. Well,
it's not very pleasant to be blown up ny ones
Governor. but, on the whole, guess Iprefer IL
TO those little pleasantries INDUCED IN by him
in the aforesaid sweet long ago
But here his medirat ons were brought TO
close, for he had re ched the door OF the office
He entered, spoke politely to the dignihed
young man standing behind the high desk,
and, picking up paper from the table,
ensconsed himself comfortably in an arm
chair, and in a moment seemed deeply ABB
sorbed in the columns OF the paper But a
close observer would have noticed that, instead
of reading, his eyes were uoon the door leading
to the back room Of the office.
Five minutes passed No sound broke the
stiffness of the room save the scratching OF the
clerks pen upon the big ledger. Suddenly the
door opened from within, and William Duke,
Eco, Superintendent of the Willowdale cotton
factory, stood upon the threshold
He WAS u mdu pcIuhps NodIb Olu, yCt dSo
had not done great deal toward undermining
his constitution. The fires Of energy and per-
severance burned in his eye to-day as brightly
as when boy of 10 or IL years old he first en-
tered cotton factory. 1t was proud boast OF
his that he was "self-made man" and that
the first work he ever did was sweeping in a
cotton mill. From this he had gradually worked
his way up to his present position. But, like
most men who travel the same road OF life, he
was overbeariny and presuming toward his
employees, and judged every man not oy his
real worth, but by his position in society and
the amount of money he could command. l
make crcu instances adapt themselves to me-"
was his motto, and he came as near doing 1t as
any man possibly could.
Between himself and Basil there was constant
warfare Not because Basil treated his fathers
commands and wishes with utter disregard, but
on account OF the want Of similarity between
their natures. 1t was trying moment to the
elder Duke when Basil reached his majority
and he could no longer exercise over him his
parental authority Even then he did not en-
tirely relinqush what he considered his right,
and took all especial pleasure III reprlman ding
Basil on all occasions.
Basil otter wondered at his fathers apparent
dislike for him, but it never troubled him
much In fact, he never allowed anything to
trouble him any length of time He attributed
his fathers dislike to the capric Of maynard
man He rarely consulted his father, and
too thorough bred by nature to follow the I'M
der bred indecorum of the day which makes
disrespect to old age the fashion
As his father stood upon the threshold of bis
priva Office that day, Basil could see by the
angry flush upon his usually pale face that
something out of the ordinary line of things
had occurred to rufle him. And he revolved
in his own mind all that had TRANSFERRED lately,
10, il possible, form some conjecture OF the
cause of his fathers summons; but i'll vain
the problem remained unsolved.
How long the father would have stood in the
doorway angrily regarding his son it is impos-
sibe 10 guess, but Basil, anxious to have the
interview over, arose from his chair, carefully
folded the paper and replaced 1t OH the table,
tossed his half consumed cigar out of the win
dow, and, approaching his father with care
less air, removed his hat and said:
"You desired to see me, believe, sir?"
His father looked at him with a cold naughty
stare for half II minute, and then replied:
a did, sir; but, as considerable time has
elapsed since | sent to you requesting your
presence here Immediately, L decided that you
had concluded not to come"
"Sorry kept You waiting sir; but have
been in The room some little while / thought
you would call me whe~ you desired my pres
ence In your sanctum sanctOrum. But, sir, as
my time is rather limited, hope you will allow
me to suggest that, if your business will con-
sumo much time. it would be we'll for us to get
at 1t az soon as possible"
"Very well follow me-" and he strobe into the
inner room, followed by Basil, who carefully
closed the door
Baeil sea ed himself in chair near table
covered with books, papers, and writing mate
rial, aud, drawing his cigar case from his
pocket, selected one, and offered the case to his
father.
Have cigar, sir: you will fiRd them unus-
ually fine. new brand, just out"
"No, 1 don't wish to smoke" replied his
father, in surly tone
Basil lighted his cigar, elevated his feet upon
the table TO the imminent danger of overturn-
ing the huge inkstand, and the discontinue of
things generally. After few puffs Of his
cigar, he looked up and said
Il am all attention"
81 have sent for you to inquire as to the
meaning of your conduct for the past few
months"
"Excuse me-" replied Basil, "you know am
very poor at guessing; 30 | hope you will not
be offended when say that am totally una ole
to grasp the meaning your words were intend
o. TO convey"
"Oh, you don't understand" exclaimed his
father, becoming more and more angry every
minute Then I'll put ii to you palmer. What
do you mean by meeting that girl-Nellie Nor
wood, believe she IL called-at the factory
door every day at noon, causing people to
make remarks about both You aud her; | re-
peat, what do you mean by such conduct?"
At the mention of Nellie Norwood's name a
hot flush had mounted to BasiI's brow, aud he
half started from his chair, but, recovering
himself in moment his face resumed its
usual calm, cool expression. But his father
had noticed both the start and the flush, ana
knew his snot had gone straight to the mark.
"The fact is, sir" replied Basil, after his
m )mentary confusion, am deeply interested
III machinery generally and looms in particu-
lar; and, as it would be impossible Tor me to
examine them while running. / have chosen
noon as the time Cor my Investigations. As
for Miss Norwood, she has been 80 kind AZ to
explain some OF the most important and diff
cult parts of the looms"
"Humph!" sneered his father, $50 you do
no consider your vices sufficiently numerous
already, but must add to them that of untruth
But this is but waste OF time and words
What are your intentions regarding this Miss
Norwood"
Basil looked up at his father, and their eyes
met
Il know you did not ask that question with the
expectation of receiving truthful answer, and
| deny that you have any right to ask it at al ,
but for once | will surprise you. l expect to
marry Nellie Norwood rs soon a. che will be-
come my wife. Hope you are pleased with my
choice" he added, with an uneasy laugh
"Your wife, No, you are not a fool, BASIL
whatever your other faults may be, and you
have never thought seriously or marrying this
factory girly"
/