The Osceola times., 1881-02-05
THE WISER CHOICE.

DttH ltIu0lllg' Nllltl D'IllS- Ny uubI-
ed Laura and ends with-"Yours till
death"
SAY? what can he say TO object? OF
course he will be proud to have his niece
marry into so aristocratic family"
Mrs. Earle replies, in her usual naughty
tone.
81 am not sure about that, mamma;
you know that Uncle Hugh is queer and
old-fashioned and | don't believe he
liked the cool way treated that fayorite
Of his-that young Lesley"
Nonsense, Laura; your uncle only
likes Mr.. Lesley as one man likes another
whom he has befrended. / can't i'm
agine for a moment he could suppose that
my daughter could ever think of a car
penter.'
"Well. I'm sure | hope that you are
right, for Madame Blanchard's charges
are pretty high, and | expect he'll give
me the money for my trousseau."
The bell rings, and servant enters
the boudior where the ladies are seated,
to tell them that Mr.. Hugh Fielding
awaits them in the parlor.
Laura was right in her intuitive feel
ing that her "old-fashioned' uncle would
not look with any great favor upon her
alliance with Lambert Rodney. lie
does not scruple to speak his thoughts.
"Umph. niece Laura, so you are going
to throw yourself away upon that young
fop, when you might once have had such
a man as Burt Lesley.
Hugh" eXclaims his sister, "you are
not serious Why, when Mr. Lesley
called on Laura, felt that it was great
piece of presumption, and we soon
showed him that we thought so.'
presumption Well, well, We won't
quarrel. Lauras engaged, and | suppose
all I've got to do is to put my hand in my
pocket; but let me tell yos, Maria, that
though my young friend, Lesley, is poor
and as You SO scorniully say, n carpenter
some day Laura will be sorry that she
lost the opportunity Of winning such a
hushaud-iori it was easy TO see, when
introduced him to her he was very much
attracted. | mean it when ! say. that
an honest man is Gods nOblest work,
and that such a man. be he rich OF
poorly born, can raise himself by
his power of brain into the highest posi-
ton in our land-eyen to the Presidential
chair
The old gentleman suddenly stops; he
detects the vailed expression in his
nicce's brllicnt eyes, and sees that his
words are only being wasted.
After little while hc rises to 90.
"Nell, Maria, here's the money for the
wedding things. I'm sorry | can't CON
gratulate Laura upon her choice
With these abrupt words Uncle Hugh
takes his leave
Laura opens the package, and a curl of
the lip shows that she is not pleased
Give hundred dollars, Why, mama, it
will only get my wedding dress! ! didn't
think Uncle Hugh would be So mean.'
"Neycr mind, Laura When you are
Lambert Rodneys wife you will never
know the need Of money!
Let us follow Uncle Hugh rs he walks
quickly along striking his gold-headed
cane now and then on the pavement, and
humming softly to himself
He comes TO a neat cottage in a quiet
street and enters unannOuuccd.
"Ah, brother Hugh, how glad ! am TO
see you after all these months. We have
missed you so much.'
"I've only just returned from my trip,
Jane he says, as he presses a kiss
upon the smooth, placid brow of his
sister.
Then they seat themselves, and Hugh
tells her all that has happened since they
last met.
Suddenly, a fresh young voice rings
through the hall:
'Im over young to marry yet"
and SO singing, a bright, beautiful girl
bounds into the room.
1t is Jane, Uncle IIugh's favorite
niece.
He strokes back the soft hair which
waves and rippcs willully around the
sweet face.
$50 you are 'ower young are you, little
one? You are not like your cousin
Laura, then, for she's 'wooed and won
and a, already"
Then he tells them of Laura's engage
ment.
"How foolish of Maria" exclaims Mrs.
| Fairlcigh, ,"to allow Laura to put her lilc's
| happiness in that shallow-braiued youth 5
keeping, How thankful ! should he that
nv little Jane has chosen one who
know has the fear of God in his heart
Jane covers her face with her hands TO
hide its tell-talc expression, as her uncle
draws her to him.
$50, so! 90 away for six months, and
come back to find both my nieces en-
Gagged TO be married. Who is the lucky
man that is to have our little jane"
"You will be surprised. Hugh, and
know glad, to hear that it is your friend,
Mr. Lesley. lie has told me that when
he first met Laura his fancy was touched
by her handsome face and fascinating
manners; but the moment he saw our
Jane his heart went right out of his kee p
ing. said Mrs Faireigh
go little Jane Is TO be Burt Lesley's
bride? A carpenters wife-surely, sister,
you are not looking very high"
Jane lifts her eyes with an incredulous
look to her uncles face; but she soon
sees that he is only trying to tease her a
little.
Five hundred dollars! Only think
mamma exclaims Jane, after her uncle
has gone. IL can lay two hundred dol
lars of it away for a rainy day, am sure,
for Burt is not rich, and shall not need
an elaborate trousseau. How good Uncle
Hugh isl'
Ten years have passed. Time has en-
graved many more wrinkles upon Uncle
Hugh's face; but his kindly heart is as
youthful as ever.
lie often visits his nieces in their mar
ried homes. We will 90 with him as he
ascends the steps of Il dingy house. A
slip-shod servant lets him in, and at his
entrance a thin faded woman arises to
welcome him.
Can it be the once styleish, fascinating
| Laura? Yes, it is she.
Married in white satin-surrounded by
l. 1 IL. ..la IL tRs