The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-08-19

;
" | shall not be a burden to you long, /
trust" said Ellen, proudly.
"DOn't be foolish, child, ;" her aunt rejoined
Empty words won't help you any. Ring the
bell for some iced water, and tell the waiter to
bring the bill and have a carriage ready for
us tomorrow morning at half-past eight.
wish he journey back to Chicago were over
though don't know what your uncle will say
when he sees us and hears of your eXamina-
ton"
Mr.. Partridge, meanwhile, had driven back
to his stately, lonely home. He passed through
the MUSHROOM, where open on the piano lay
the ballad that Ellen had sung. He put il
away il the rack and closed the piano gently,
then walked on into the library and seated
himself by the empty fireplace. Mechanically
he drew cigar from his pocket and lighted it.
The white smoke hoated up over the portrait
of his dead wife, and through the film her face
seemed to look down at him with new and
tender entreaty. Beppo stole into the room
and thrust his nose against his masters hand.
This seemed to rouse Mr.. Partridge, and he
rose and went TO the table whereon lay the
visting-card that Mrs. Larrabee had left In
the Drner was written her address, 1876 Wor-
rail- Avenue,n He fingered the card irreso-
lutely. Two doors below: that would be
number 49, he said to himself. And then he
sat down and wrote letter, which, although
it was very short, caused him much reflection.
Aweek or ten days after Mrs. Larrabae had
paid her morning call, Mr.. Partridge was one
afternoon strolling over the lawn toward the
house, when his attention was attracted by
young man coming down the road. The
day was hot and the dust thick, and
The pedestrian walked slowly, carrying
his straw hat in his hand. Arrived OPP
poSite the big iron entrance gates, the
stranger paused and looked abOu him, then
wiped the perspiration from his brow, made
vain attempt to brush the dust off his coat,
and put his hat upon his head with a resoute
lloastlIra that mazda Mr. Pa du-a crnil That
gentleman seated himself upon rustic seat
i'll the shade of clump of cedars, and waited
for the young man. When the latter came up
the graveled path, Mr.. Partridge, without
stirring, called out, 'Jackl"
The young man stopped, saw Mr.. Partridge,
and crossed over TO where he sat. ''Well,
Uncle George, how are you!" he said, as he
held out his hand. you sent for me, and
here ann
eyes, see you are" said Mr.. Partridge,
"Did you walk all the way from Chicagot" he
added.
81 could have done So I suppose, IL had
taken the time" Jack replied, but l CON
tented myself with doing the three miles from
town on foot"
Mr.. Partridge looked at his uephew's hot
face and tlen at his dusty boots. at isn't
just the day that | should have chosen for a
tramp" he observed Come up to the
house; It is cooler there, and you need some
| thing to wash the dust out Of your throat"
"Half way across the lawn, Jack stopped.
"You have cut down the big oak tree!' he eX-
| claimed.
Had to-" his uncle replied, tersely. at
died. You and Ned used to be forever climb
ing it when you were boys, didn't you!n
! Jack nodded. but made no reply. II sad
dened him to think of Ned, and he walked on
in silence, noting the changes that time had
wrought in the place that he had once known
| so well Mr. Par ridge too, said nothing I'M
| ill thew had pntnrnl hOnSn and than his
voice sounded a little husky: "Let us go into
the dining-room, Jack. A tumDler of iced
claret is what you want. 1t is hot, dusty
day"
"The walk was tiresome," Jack admitted
as he sat down in an arm chair by the window.
"Why the deuce didn't YOU take a carriage
from the station, or let me know when you
were comingrh said uncle petulantly.
| To this Jack vouchsafed no reply; he merely
smiled and slipped his claret with evident
| satisfaction.
"Jack, you are just as exasperating as
ever!'' cried Mr.. Partridge, in tones of mingled
/ admiration and despair.
The leopard cannot change his spots, nor
the Ethiopian his skin" quoth Jack, lightly.
The old gentleman burst into great roar of
| laughter. "Houre your father all over" he
said; "but liked your father in spite of his
cranky ways" Then he poured himself out a
little more clare, smiling as he did 80. "Well,
and how is your law-practice coming on!" he
I said.
livery we'll" Jack replied.
Getting rich, Ell! Clients crowdng into
your otlicel Beginning to think of taking
partner!n
"No, not exactly; but still | am doing as
well as most young lawyers"
"rhen that is not doing at all,n said Mr..
Partridge. "Now, Jack, he continued, fixing
his keen eyes on bis nephew's face, have you
never regretted that YOU did not go into the
tea and coffee trade!"
| Jack stroked his mOustache. 81 have re-
| GREETED that lawyer could not make money
| so fast as your friends the tea -and-coffec
merchants do" he answered.
"Now for another question. Answer me
| honestly Are you succeedingW
''Not so well as | could wish" was the
reply; "but did not expect to leapin fame
and wealth by the time was twenty-siX."
"Why the deuce don't you speak out to me
| frankly, and say that YOU are having hard
struggle to get money enough to pay your
! board bill?" cried Mr.. Partridge, eXcitedly,
and rising to his feet as he spoke. sit is true ;
you can't deny it. Your coat is shabby, you
| could not afford a carriage out here this morn
ing and so you came afoOt, you have to deny
yourself thousand things to keep ont Of
debt, your watch chain has disappeared, you
look thin
John Grantley had risen and taken his hat
from the table "Did you send for me to come
from Chicago to tell me this!n he said.
"No! | sent for you because want to help
YOU. For the Lords sake, sit down, Jack
Don't be afraid ! am not going to offer you
| a ten-dollar bill or a position in tea and
coffee stOre.n And now the twinkle in Mr..
| Partridge's ewes showed itself again. Jack
sat down, but he held his hat in his hand still.
~ don't suppose your position in Chicago is
so good but that you would take a better ( it
were offered to youl' said Mr.. Partridge,
putting his hands into his trousers pockets
and looking whimsically at his nephew.
"No man in any position ever disdains the
opportunity of lettering it," said Jack.
Every good What | offer you is posi-
ton OF trust. | believe you are an honest
lawyer-the very rarest bird that fics--aud
need an honest lawyer. The work won't be
easy, but YOU ought to make good thing out
of it. That scoundrcly Doottle has, l am
sure. Come to New York, and will give you
the business of my estate and will speak a
good word for you among my friends. You
will find that it will repay you, Jack"
For minute Jack looked steadily at the
lump of fast-meltng ice in the empty tumbler
Then he held out his hand to his uncle
"Thank you. will do my very best for you, y
said he.
"Fnl up your glass" cried Mr.. Partridge.
ave will drink to your Ellen. All you stare
know more than you think, you rogue! Go
ont to ( hicago and marry her and bring her
here. hope to see her children tumbled over
the grass yonder some day."-LtppincOt
Magazine.
Ulema.