The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-04-07

acts rise to haunt me; it means that
/ must wear each and every one of my
coats threadbare; it means that I
must ask Miss A. to church, whilst
Mr.. B. takes her to the opera. .
He had put the last book away, and
turning on his heel began to pace back
and forth amid the gathering shadows
of the October evening.
II wonder what the outside world
tical men and fair women say : But
heaven forgive the meanness of that
inquiry!'' And the thin lip curled, as
he turned the key in the door and but
toned up his coat.
! If riches constitute happiness, Bird
upper was the happiest girl in town.
Or it, peradventure, an admired face,
warm impulses, and popular ways, are
all needed, the possibility of enjoying
the divinest of blessings was still
hers.
But she did not look altogether
happy. Now it is just barely possible
that the novel she tossed to the table
had not concluded to the eternal fitness
OF things, and am given to under
stand that events of this kind have no
little influence upon the current of
life down which some young ladies
glide.
The drawing room door opened, and
the tall, erect form of a middle-aged
man entered.
"Ah, Birdie - as he picked up the
book and scanned the title, CA
Woman's Wrongs involving, of
course, GA Woman's Rights
"And now. uncle, for my lecture
And Bird Topper arranged herself
for the ordeal with mock solemnity,
"Of course you deserve one !" he
grimly smiled. 6 Lecture first:
book ought to instruct, or it ought to
inspire, or it ought--to be burnt; and
this, doubtless, is guilty unto DEATH
81 am disappointed in it, and in
most novels" answered Bird, with
growing earnestness. II find so few
rules there that seem practical
Her uncle lifted his shaggy eye
brOWs with mock establishment.
"And do you read novels in search
of practical rules for better living and
thinking? Then let me recommend
the rule of three as altogether more
practical than the rule of two, which,
doubtless, runs through all these
pages -.y
81 am ready for just such dis
course p laughed Bird: "But really,
uncle, I read with good purpose, if
with poor results. / want to find a
correct measurement of just such
people as meet. want to find an
swers to the questions that each day
suggest themselves; but I rarely sue
ceed.'
"Of course you don't. Dickens
knew that the anonymous sketches
of George Elliot were written by /.
woman, because the portraits of the
women were more powerfully drawn
than those of the men; and who has
drawn both, save Shakespeare %
"Ergo!' smiled his niece, with the
least of blushing, IT must dedicate
myself to the novels of men,
"Qh, no p drawled Col. Norwood,
humorously; ''then you're seek
ing to better understand men-me,
for instance? But why, Birdie, -
land his voice lost it's bantering
strain, " should not all young ladies
dedicate themselves to such a science
above all others? The bank president
wants every mystery of the life, ma
ture, morals and purposes Of his cash.
Ter made brighter than day; but you
are some day to give your heart and
honor to mans keeping?'
emo, no!' Bird exclaimed, with
rebuking look and smile. 81 shall die
an old maid.''
"You might better, perhaps, if you
fail to solve the problem. But come.
give me some examples to practice
on
"Indeed, uncle, you're more prac-
particular man in view."
"Of course not-of course not!
But get one in view we must have an
example"
Bird Topper hesitated.
"NO names, no names-a descrip-
ton will answer
II might give you dozen.''
lone will do BETTER" ....".
Chow, then, would so practical a
man as yourself explain the wherefore
of young lawyer of apparently social
nature, easy manners, and good con-
versational powers, absolutely shun-'
ming society?''
"Easy enough! Easy enough -
answered the colonel, as he stroked
his whiskers with an air of man of
profound convictions. SIN the first
place, he can't afford society, and in
the second place he can't afford to fall
in love-
"Can't afford to fall in love!''
"Of course not. The true lover
crucifes his love, if he believes it will
not bless it's object. He don't care to
link her bright fate to his dark one"
"Well, indeed, that's romantic -
laughed Bird. ssI'm much afraid,
uncle, you've been brought up on
novels"
"But all that I say is true as gospel,
and can prove it!'
''How p
"When would you expect this brill
liant young lawyer to come into your