The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-08-10
The Pathetic Young Man.

Walking the sands with her father
Miss Grannis felt that she had lived VI
to all the possibilities If eighteen years;
that she enjoyed the ocean view more
for being perfectly dressed, and gazing
on it from under fleece of dark curling
hair, which crept fashionably low OF
her forehead, without ever having beel
hairdresser's merchandise. She Ell Joyce
even the doubtful support her Frenci
heel gave the arch of her foot. At am
tine It would have hurt Miss Grannl
to be less than a picture against tb
landscape. She had delicate features
large hazel eyes, and cheeks inclined I,
flush, and she knew it was face to sc
with BACKGROUND of immense hat, aut
above Mother Hubbard shlrripgs on th
shoulders below it. Yet she was an il.
nocent creature, with the dregs of chile
hood lingering on her lips.
Her father was an innocent creatur
also; short and thick, with face clean
shaven except thorn of beard on tht
end of his chin. His methodical move
ments and placid air indicated the busi
ness man retired on the profits of q
successful career. He carried heavy
gold headed cane, and gave his left arm
to his daughter, who indulgently let hei
fingers lie therein. The gentleman's
walk Was swinging one, whilo she
carried herself with elastic elegance,
catching the step when they Jared. Mr.
Grannis uttered growl when her white
parasol interfered with his hat, bui
upon her begging pardon, assured he
it was nothing at all. His manner
toward his daughter was ceremonious
'She had spent go much of her life in
boarding-schools, while he grubbed for
money, that he felt unacquainted with
her. Besides, she was woman, and
therefore entitled to Difference. 1t wa
Mr.. Grannis' habit to lift his hat to thr
chambermalu8 in his hotel, and adj
dress his washer,woman as madame.
They reached the wooden promenade,
and clicked slowly along it, Mr.. Gran
mis- adding an occasional thud of his
cane to the uneven cadences of theiI
steps
"Theres the pathetic young man
again." observed Misc Grannis, castins
sidelong glance across the beach.
"What pathetic young MANI" in.
quired her father, giving his cane head
the revolution on his palm necessary to
produce flourish.
"There standing alone, with a soft
slouching hat on; black eyes and a
large mustache. Don't look now, he's
noticing us"
Mss Grannis twitched her parasol
in a pretty but self conscious manner
"What's pathetic about him ?" in
quired her father. "He looks fat and
hearty. He needs to go to the barber
and get double handful of his hair
clipped off Must be hot this weather."
The gentleman ended in an abrupt
chuckle which usually startled strang ers
it did not accord with his solidity.
"Oh, l just call him The pathetic
young man. He stands gazing across
the water so much, and his eyes are so
sad when he looks at you at table,"
"Maybe he's a salesman out of a
position" volunteered Mr.. Grannis
''or a professional man who can't gel
into practice
"DJn't you think he looks nice, PAP
"No. Too pretty. Never saw pretty
fellow that could do anything. Theil
making's in their flesh and bones, and il
stops there"
"But don't you like his air?'
"Stuff, stuff B" said Mr.. Grannis, with
out punctuation mark or tingle of dis
approval 1t was the methodical bu
not severe plug which he thought best
to apply to his daug ghter's enthusiasms
His own enthusiasms, being once reused
were irrepressible.
Perhaps he is stuff-stuff, pa. There
amt many men, young or old, as mic,
and reliable as you are."
"What do you know about that
child ?" inquired the old merchant, will
smirk pleasant to see, for it proved
him one of those lovable male being
open to fattery.
"oh, I know great deal. hav,