The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1880-08-05
lTON, D. T., THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 1880.
"I wish to look at gold pens please ,

II wish to look at gold pens please"
said he, with nod at the shopman
whom he knew. Something very
nice for old Medbury, you know-old
Miser Medbury, we call him. Ha, ha,
ha! He's broken his, and its good
chance to curry favor with the old
hunks"
Exactly" said the shopman, draw
ing his hand across his lips with a Gu
rious sort of a grim. Here are some
very fair specimens, Mr. Ferroll-
ahem!'
I Mr.. Ferroll was hard to please, but
finally made selection and went out,
leaving directions that the present
should be sent at once, with his card
enclosed; and not fifteen minutes after
wards in marched George Leslie
"Gold pens," said he. "The cheap
est you've got. It's like buying lot
terry ticket to give anything to old
Snap-and-Snarl Medbury; one never
knows how he may take it, and it isn't
likely he'll know the difference between
and A No. article and a second-class
one"
"Your cousin, Mr.. Ferroll, has Just
given eighteen shillings for one to be
sent to Mr. Medbury," said the shrewd
shopman
"Eh! What! How! Coafound his
meddling impudence-what put the
idea into is head! Then suppose
shall have to send twenty shilling one,
although the deuce knows 1 am unable
to spare the money. These uncles are
terribly expensive luxury
And he paid the reluctant twenty
shillings and took his departure.
Upon the very door step whom should
he meet but Frank Fessendon.
'"Eh? You're coming to buy a gold
pen, are you?'' surlily demanded he,
but you're too late. Ferroll and have
both sent one"
"Nothing Of the Sort" said Frank
cheerily: "Uncle's jolly old brick,
butt can't afford expensive presents
while my board bill is yet unpaid, and
my washerwoman clamoring for funds.
| suppose he hasn't been here yet this
morning?"
"Who, Uncle ?"
''Yes. He wrote me note to be
here at ten O'Clock.
eyes, Mr.. Fessenden, he's here" said
the shopman advancing, and rubbing
the palms Of his hands together. Just
back here in the cashiers Office"
"Eh?" cried out Mr. Leslie, his COM
plexion turning dull bilious green.
"My uncle at the cashiers desk! And
only a bit of ground glass and rose
wood railing between me and him?
Why, then, of course he's heard every
word said?'
'T'm afraid it's exceedingly probable,
sir" said the shopman, with a covert
grin. cts no fault Of mine. I was
just about to caution Mr.. Ferlroll about
speaking out quite so freely, but the old
gentleman made me sign to hold my
tongue; so what was l to do?'
In the same breath, out came Mr.
Medbury from the cashiers little rallied
linden, like Jack-in-a-box.
much obliged for the gold pen, my
dear boy" he said, chuckling and grin
ming, and looking more like Napoleon
Bonaparte than ever, "But you are
mistaken about old Snap-and-Snarl's
judgment; he's pretty sure to know
good article when he sees it! And tell
your cousin Marmaduke, if you should
happen to see him, that old Miser
Medbury has got as many gold pens as
he's likely to want for the present-ha,
ha, han
And if ever Mr.. Medbury enjoyed
that joke, and the too evident discom-
future of Mr.. George Leslie.
'1assure you, sir, | am very sorry"
began the young man.
''And Pm very glad!" said Mr.. Med
bury, abruptly. ri like to be certain
about things, | like to know. whether
my nephews are fools or knaves, Or
like this one," clapping Frank Fesen-
den on the back, "a tolerable honest
fellow. Come, Frank, We'll see about
this vacancy. Pm always willing to
help man that is ready to help him
self, and [ only wish your cousins were
only half as thoughtful about board
bills and washerwomen's accounts as
you are,
Frank accepted the situation-it was
only poor hundred a year clcrkship,
but as Medbury sagely remarked, it
might be stepping stone to some
thing better; and he did well-so well
that at the end of six months Medbury
scandalized his herd of expectant rela-
tives by announcing his attention ofad-
opting Frank as his son and heir!
Give been like Diogenes with his
lantern, all my days looking out for an
honest man." observed the old piece of
eccentricity. "And I believe I've
found him. Duke and George came
near imposing upon me at one time. l
had my doubts about 'em, but I never
should have been quite certain if it
hadn't been for that business of the
gold pen. I did't exactly see myself as
others saw me, but heard of myself as
others were probably in the habit Of
hearing ! ha, ha, hap
And that was the way in which Mr..
Medbury chose his heir.