Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-04-28
CHE Sturp Teller.
CAUGHT IN HIS OWN TRAP


What business has he to 60 and fall in low
with a poor piece Of trash Ill-lil Fl,
him! Ill-but here comes the rascal tb'
spurner of my couusels y.
And as Captain Jerry Peman thus spoke
he sank into great stuffed chair, and looked
daggers and twice he stamped his dumpy
foot vehemently to keep up his stern purpose
He was a round. billed jolly-faced, red cheek
ed bachelor, Just fve,and-forty. Most of his
life he had spent at sea, and had lately set
tied down ashore with an immense fortune
for the purpose of enjoying the rest of his
days latter his own heart" as he expressed
it. His pate was just bald enough to carry
his jolly face high up over the brow, but yet
he had goodly quantity of dark curls clus'
tering about his short, fat neck. The only
near relative he had in the lower world was
Jack Kendall, an only child Of his only sister.
Jerry Peman had loved his sister fondly, and
when she died-she was widow then-she
left a prayer upon record that her broth
er would care for her orphan boy. For ten
years he had provided for his nephew, keep.
ing him at one of the best schools for awhile,
and then paying his way through college.
But now that he had settled down for a home,
he had Jack to come and live with him.
"Ah-you are here, are you ?" growled the
uncle, looking up with very dagger-like ex-
preston.
Jack Kendall was twenty, three, somewhat
taller than his uncle, but with the same fam.
lily look. He was handsome, good na:ured,
generous, aHectionate fellow, and loved his
uncle Jerry with his whole soul.
stV ba toll
seat, land know you are glad to see me" !"
"Aye-I am glad, for I have something to
say to you," the bachelor resumed, looking
some more daggers. "Have you seen that
baggage again%
baggage, uncls''
Baggage, sir. I said baggage. Have you
seen her?'
"Her, uncle? Baggage s-Hers Why
what do you mean?
"You know very we'll what l mean. l
mean that piece of poverty-that hanger'on-
that-that baggage -that-that gal!'
"Oh /! You mean Lizzie Brown. The girl
that -"
Thinks to catch you, and thus catch my
money! interrupted uncle Jerry, emphati-
cally.
"It is hardly fair to say that, uncle, seeing
that made all the advances myself"
"Nonsense Don't you suppose | know ?
/ say she set the trap for ye But l won't
have it! If I'm to be father to ye, you
must obey me. Now Tue got choice. l
want ye to marry with Susan Garland"
"But she's a widow, uncle"
$50 much the better. She'll know how to
make home for ye."
5us5 vs s ysafs Vat 7sP SIT only 4SssR
It's all the better for that"
"But l can't love her"
Cant love her!' cried the uncle, looking
an immense number of very sharp pointed
daggers:
the woman who was the wife OF the most
faithful friend l ever had Let me tell you,
sir, that when the old Gazele was cast upon
the rocks of Barnegat, Bill Garland saved
nv life, and lost his own He died in these
arms, sir! We sat upon the cold wet rocks,
sir and the last words he ever said to me
were, BE kind to luy poor Susan ! And |
will be kind to her p the captain added,
wping big tear from his cheek. "lll give
her a husband graceless husband,
perhaps-but with money enough to keep
her above want. You must marry her, sill"
./"But suppose should refuse"
Refuse refuse your own uncle? You
dare not do it, sir I'd turn you out of doors
in an instant! I'd see you starve before I'd
give you another penny! Id-Id-take
away all ever did give you!
"Ah-you couldn't do that, uncle. The
education have gained under your noble,
generous patronage, is mine Of wealth OF
which you cannot rob me! and [ would not
to day exchange it for all the wealth you ever
possessed. l can live by my own wits"
"Ah! You threaten me, do you? You
mean to rebel do you? You mean to disobey
me outright?"
"You do not understand me, uncle. You
surely would not force me to belle my own
heart. If you could know Lizzie Brown
Lizzie Fiddlestick II don't want to know
her. l know Susan Garland, and that's
enough. I've had my plan fixed ever since [
came home. promised Bill I'd take care
of her-and | must do it-and how can | do
it if you don't let me have her for niece"
"Why not have her for wife asked
Jack, quietly.
"Wye !-Me! Why you young rascal,
what do you mean? Me-marry! Zounds,
do you think I'm crazy? I'm old enough to
be her father ~
"Only seventeen years, uncle. Just enough
to give you character as husband"
"Silence, villain ! Would you have me
make fool of myself just as I am settling
down for comfort and quiet2 Don't you
never dare to lisp such a thing again. |
shall 60 and see Susan tomorrow, and
shall tell her that you will have her. That's
enough. won't hear any more! BY the
Big Fish but Ill keep my promise"
Jack knew that it would be useless to say
any more at present, so he held his peace
William Garland had been his uncle's frs
mate during his last two voyages, and the
captain had not only liked him much, bu
he also thought much of Susan, having stop
ped at her home while her husband was liv
ing. When Captain Jerry came home with
the care of the widow upon his shoulders
he had hit upon the happy expedient o
making her niece, by marriage, and thu
having the right to care for her without ex
citing scandal Jack knew how his uncl
had cherished the plan, and he feared it woul<
be hard to thwart him. The old fellow wa
as stubborn as he was kind hearted, ant
where he felt that he had authority he woul(
not yield.
Finally Jack retired to ponder upon tn
subject, and before dark he resolved to Sc
the widow in advance of his uncle; and h
went that very evening