Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-01-19

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gagements. They are not really old enough
either of them, to know their own minds"
ssI am not so sure Of that" remarked th'
Captain. "This attachment is one of sucl
gradual growth, Of such long standing, ant
rests on such solid foundation, that the you'll
of the parties concerned doesn't seem to mi
such an Objectionable point, as it would if il
was merely love-at7 76rst-sight affair. The!
have known each other all their lives"
"And have known nobody else," said tht
doctor. "Your boy is going, for the first time
abroad into the world The day may come
when my Sophy leaves this secluded spot, ant
mixes among her fe1ow-beings in more en-
larged sphere. What if the fancy Of either
should become entangled in another quarter
Would they not regret having entered prema
turely into contract, before testing their feel
ings by contact with the world p
eff they are trulyattached to each other,
see no reason to anticipate such contingen
cy," said the captain. 'But want you to un
derstand me. I am not come here to persuade
you to give your consenti in this matter against
your will. I have simply argued thus far tc
prove that as far as the question Of love is con-
cerned, Harry and Sophy are all right are not
likely to change their minds Neither theil
youth nor their inexperience is an objection
according to my way Of thinking. But there is
another, and serious one, which 1 am quite
ready to admit, and that is Harry's inability.
at least, at present, to support wife"
Now the Captain, simple though ne was
could not have played more crafty card than
this. He knew that the Doctor was one of the
least mercenary individuals breathing, and
that nothing aroused his indignation more sue.
cessfully than the idea of having interested
motives imputed to him. He twisted himself
now in his chair, colored up, and looked sharp
ly at the speaker.
'Perhaps you think, Captain, that that is my
objection also ?'' he asked, in hostile man.
ner for although these two were excellent
friends, they quarTeled occasionally, as was
natural for two elderly gentlemen living SC
near together.
"Well, my dear sir, why might it not be p
rejoined the Captain, mildly. IL am sure it
is one which any resanable person could enter.
tain, without reproach."
"At all events, sir, you mistake me, if you
suppose that it entered my mind" said the
Doctor, loftiy. II would not of course allow
my daughter to marry beggar, or person
incapable of earning support by. his own
exertions, as an imbecile or cripple would be
but young, strong, vigorous man like your
nephew, with plenty of energy, and plenty OF
brains to direct it, is not likely to fail of sue.
cess, though of course he can't expect to make
fortune in day. No, sir, no such sordid
consideration as you allude to will permit to
influence me in the slightest degree"
''Then, sir" said the Captain, secretly de-
lighted, II Iapplaud your generosity, and thank
you with all my heart"
''Thank me e!' said the Doctor, suddenly
coming down from his pinnacle ''for what p
"For your good opinion of my boy, which
trust will influence you to consider his suit
favorably," said the Captain, sturdily. "You
admit that he has energy and brains, and is
likely to succeed. know that he has an hon.
est and true heart, and that he is truly at.
tached to your sweet girl-as, indeed, after a
lifelong intercourse, who could fail to be
Under these circumstances, why would you
put barrier in the way of their happines p
"Pshaw," said the Doctor, II don't want
to put any barrier in the way Of their happiness
as you term it-a very bookish expression, by
the way. I want to act for their happiness.
rather. AS to Sophy, haven't spoken to hel
at all. don't even know her sentiments"
''You know, however, that she has accepted
Harry-conditiOnall of course"
Eyes, I know that much. Her mother told
me; but she only knew as much as Harry
had told her.'
"And she was willing ?-your wife, Imean. .
"Oh! women are always carried away bytheil
feelings, on these occasions. found her and
your nephew sitting here on the sofa, when
came in, as if he had been counting her. / be-
lieve they had their arms around one another
and had been crying at least she had. 1 sup
pose he had carried his point with her without
any difficulty settled it by a few soft words
We who are sensible and unromantic beings
must look at it in a more matter-of-fact light
Reason and prudence must outweigh senti
ment in practical mind"
"Well," said the Captain, rising, "I'm sorry
to find you are opposed to the engagement.
was in hopes you would sanction it, but sup
pose my boy must console himself as we'll az
lie can. 1t will be grievous disappointment
to him.
'sWhat the deuce are you talking about p
impatiently interrupted the Doctor. "Sit
down, will you, and don't be starting off at 6
tangent like that. Have I refused to sanction
anything? Didn't + say, merely, that want
ed to consider the matter %
ssOh did you? But haven't you considered
it sufficiently? You forget what a state Of
suspense those two young folks must be in
''It won't hurt them to watt" said the
Doctor, peevishly. II am not for settling
things all in hurry, as you seem to be. I like
to take my time. A little suspense will make
the certainty all the pleasanter, dare say
when it comes.''
"You mean to give your consent, then 20
"Why, must, suppose, since everybody i!
leagued against me. But remember, if any
mischief comes of this haste, Captain, I'll hole
you to blame"
"My dear Doctor, you have noble heart
an excellent heart" cried the Captain, as III
shook his friends hand. II may tell Harr!
your decision, may not ?"
"Oh yes, tell him whatever you like. Ant
if you ,Uul 60, just cast your eye around a
you pass through the garden and see if my lit
tie Sophy is anywhere there I'd like you tt
send her in to me, if she is
The Captain promised, and departed, exult
ing in the success of his mission. Nothing
delighted him more than to be instrumental
in making people happy, and he could not res