Smyrna times., 1881-05-04
Uncle Nahum's Wedding,


Uncle Nahum Nixon was reading the naper
in his back parlor
NO one would think, to look at the simple
surroundings of the unpretentious apartments
that Mr.. Nahum Nixon was one of the wealth.
lest men in town. The carpet. it is true wos
Administer, but it had seen twenty good years
OF service, and was worn down TO the very
warp; the faded red curtains were of n,oreen
instead OF satin damask; and the old clock on the
mantle was no Partisan affair of alsbaster and
gilt, but substantial Connecticut time-piece
That struck with awire, like partridge spring
ing out of her nest; the chairs of old-fash-
Toned mahogany and hair-cloth, stood bolt
upright against the wall, the portraits of
! General Washington on Horseback" and
the Surrender of CORVALLIS" ornamented
the gray papered walls in frames of sombre
gilt, and the one elegance of the apartment
was basket of preposterous wax fruit under
cracked glass shade.
But Uncle Nahum Nixon had remembered
| that furniture ever since he was child. and
ne wouldn't have exchanged it for the fitting
OF Partisan boudoir, or the choicest speci-
mems of the modern Eastlake school He was
-'-'%'' tiio1 was tiullc euOuRn IOf MN.
1tyou please Mr.. Nixon" said the richman'
little maid servant, Mr.. Marmaduke Bourne
wants to see you-if you please sir, if YOU
are quite at leisure"
Mr. Marmaduke Bourne, eh?' The old
gentleman took off his glasses and laid them
upon the folded newspaper. ASK him TO
come in, Polly"
And Mr.. Marmaduko Bourne came ina
tall, fresh eOlored young fellow with spark
ling gray eyes, brown hair, all in mat of
curls and straight Greek nose, that seemed as
if it might have been borrowed from some an
cicnt statue of Apollo.
Well, SIR said Mr.. Nixon.
Well, sir, counter Intercepted Bourne
did you get my letter"
got your letter." said Uncle Nahum.
" So you want to marry my niece Faith? ~
Yes, sir" valiantly acknowledged Mr..
Marmaduke Bourne.
'OhP' nodded Uncle Nahum" But per-
haps you don't understand all the facts of the
case2'
The facts, sir?"
want my niece to marry Colonel Ash
lands sonP' slowly enunciated Uncle Nahum.
But sir, she does not love him."
"PshawP snarled Uncle Nahum Nixon.
" And if she does not marry him she will be a
beggar-I will give her no money of mine.
Now you understand matters Marry her or
not as you please"
lie took up the newspaper once more-a
tacit lntimation that the interview was at an
end,
Sir" began Marmaduko Bourne.
That will do" said Mr.. Nixon.
Z" only wish to-"
That will doP' Numbered Mr.. Nixon;
and Marmaduke Bourne went away.
Little Faith Nixon came done stairs pres
ently-a blue eyed blossom of girl, with
yellow hair growing low on her forehead, and
very little mouth, exactly the shape TO sug-
gest kissing.
Uncle Nahum looked keenly at her. as she
huttered lightly about the room, Strengthening
a table cover here, or patting down curtains
fold there.
YES" said he, with curious twitoh Of
the muscles around the eyes; "he has been
here"
Ill did not ask any questions, Uncle
Nahum
No, but your eyes did" chuckled the old
man. He wants to marry you-the improvi-
dent young donkey"
Faith came up to her uncle's chair and laid
her hand lightly upon his shoulder
That Is not the worst it, Uncle Nahum,i'
said she. :" / want to marry himl'
! "Humph, humphlp snarled Mr.. Nixon. in