The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-08-25
UNCLE NAHUM's WEDDING.

Uncle Nahum Nixon was reading the
paper in his back parlor. Nobody
would think, to look at the simple sur
roundings of the unpretentious apart
ment, that Mr.. Nahum Nixon was one
of the wealthiest men in town. The
carpet, it was true, was Administer, but
it had seen twenty good years of SER
vice, and was worn down to the very
warp; the faded red curtains were of
moreen instead of satin damask; the old
clock on the mantel was no Partisan af-
fair of alabaSter and gilt, but n substan-
tial Connecticut time-piece that struck
with whirr, like partridge springing
out of her nest; the chairs of Old-fash-
toned mahogany and haircloth stood
bolt upright against the wall; the pOr-
traits of Gen. Washington on horseback
and the surrender of CORVALLIS orna-
mented the gray papered walls in frames
of sombre gilt, and the one elegance Of
the apartment was a casket of prepOs-
ferrous wax flowers under q cracked
glass shade.
But Uncle Nixon had remembered
| that furniture ever since he was child,
and he wouldn't have exchanged it for
btiC III ~ u vi Int
choicest specimens of the modern East
lake pattern. He was rich man-that
was quite enough for him.
If you please. Mr.. Nixon" said the
trim little maid-servant, ''Mr. Marina
duke Bourne wants to see yOu-if you
please. sir. if you are quite at leisure. ="
Mr.. Marmaduke Bourne. chr The
old gentleman took off his spectacles
and laid them upon the folded news
paper. ASK him in, Polly"
And Mr. Marmaduke Bourne came in
"a tall. frcsh-colored young fellow with
sparkling gray eyes, brown hair. all in
mat of curls, and straight Greek
nose that seemed as if it might have
been borrowed from some ancient stat
ute of Apollo.
We'll, sir?" said Mr.. Nixon.
well SIR" countcr-interrogated. Mr..
Bourne. Ibid you get my letter."
~ got Your letter." said Uncle Ma
hum. $50 you want to marry my nice
Faith?"
"Yes. SIR" valiantly acknowledge
Mr. Marmaduke Bourne.
"Ahr' nodded Uncle Nahum. "Bu
perhaps you don't understand all tn
facts of the case"
The facts, STRIP
81 want my niece to marry Col. Ash
lands son." slowly enunciated Uncl
Nahum.
But, sir, she don't love him."
"Pshawr' snarled Uncle Nahum
"And if she don't marry him she'll be
beggar-Tll give her no money @
mine. Now you understand matters
Marry her or not. rs you please"
He took up the newspaper once NOR
"A tacit intimation that the intervie,
was ut an end.
"Sir"-began Mr.. Bourne.
"That'll do" said Mr.. Nixon.
81 only wish to"
| "That'll dor Numbered Mr.. Nixon
and SO Marmaduke Bourne went away
Little Faith Nixon came down stair
prcscntly-a blue-cyed blossom of a CIR
with yellow hair growing low on he
forehead, and very little mouth. eN
actly the shape to suggest the idea 9
kissing.
| Uncle Nahum looked keenly up at he
rs she flvttered about the room, straight
ening a table cover there or pattin
down curtain fold here.
YES" said he, with curious twitc
of the muscles around his eyes, che ha
been here"
IL didn't ask any question. Uncl
Nahum"
| No. but your eyes did," chuckle
the old man. ..He wants to marry yO
the improvident young dOnkey!'
Faith came to her uncle's chair an
laid her hand lightly on his shoulder.
That isn't the worst of it Uncle N,
hum want to marry him."
"Humphr' snarled Mr.. Nixon, in hig
contempt. "And what do you expet
to live on, should like to knOw?"
1--WE can both work." said Faitf
} bravely.
you're more likely to starve," sal
Mr.. Nixon. "Mind-don't count O
help from me. If you will get marrie'
you do it at your own risk"
N Then you consent, Uncle Nahum
Nor roared the old bachelor. '.NOtl
ing of the sort"
..But, Uncle Nahum, should
wretched without Duker' softly pleade
Faith.
"Fiddlestringsr' said the old man.
"And I'm sure he couldn't live witt
out me-"
j. Trash" grunted Mr.. Nixon.
/ "And if you please, uncle" adde
Faith, perhaps I'd better 60 to m
friend Violet Smiths to make up nj
wedding things, since you disappro,
J so decidedly Of my plans. She lives !
New York. you know, and 1t will
!. convenient for shopping. and"
"And for all the other tOmfOoleries
general" rudely interrupted the o.
gentleman. Eyes, 60 to your Viol
Smiths, but don't expect to come bad
here"
mo, uncle" said Faith, meekl
E "But you'll let me thank you for q
your Kindness, and"
mo, won'tr' said Uncle Nahum, !
shortly that poor Faith fled upstairs
dismay and had quiet little cry, no
withstanding she was so very, very ha
For Uncle Nahum, brusaue and era