Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-07-13
LOVE AND BUSINESS.

In the cosy little private once sp
pertaining 70 their business house al
Halliday and Son. Halliday was q
bluff, heavy old fellow Of so or there.
about with pair OF keen, bright eyes,
which twinkled necessarily, and was
seated in his chair with his keels upon
his desk. Son was young man Of
rs, tall, dark and handsome, clad in q
suit Of navy blue flannel and was
seated on corner Of the desk looking
down upon his father.
"Who is the object OF your all de-
vouring passion, eh, Dick, my boy?r
the old gentleman asked. "Some chit
Of school girl2"
"Her name is wilkins" replied the
young man. "She is q widows
double widow, will ssy--for she has
been married twice, and is--come,
don't let your chin drop to such an
alarming extent, for outside of all she
is worth S50,000 although that, In my
case, is feathers in the scales. She is
actually 26, but looks ten years
younger, and is as pretty as a picture.
She has one child, daughter who is
at school In Paris, but as she is heir
ess to a cool 100, 900, she Is not an
incumbrance by any means
'Dick Halliday, you're fooll' ex-
claimed the old gentleman. "The
woman is almost old enough to be
your mother"
sNot quite as bad as that"
''l say, sir, she's almost old enough
to be your motherl Have you COM
mitted yourself-has she ensnared
you'll
sDon't you remember our old agree
ment, father, that when / thought Of
marrying / would consult with you be-
fore taking the step2 will therefore
introduce you to Mrs. Wilkins, let
you study her character, and then
abide by your decision; for have no
doubt as to what it will be-
"Ahr' said the old gentleman,
''that's better. That's decidedly bet
ter. You may introduce me, Dick,
and promise you my unbiased opin-
ion of the be witching creature
"AlI right. When will you go?"
Tonight, tomorrow, any time you
please; but see here, Dick, to change
the subject, how about this London
business? It's going 10 ruin"
"Well, suppose we will have to
send man to look after it,"
"Sendl" cried the old man, "that
won't do at all; one or the other of US
must go. We've trusted entirely too
much to others of late, and our home
interests are almost as bad as our for
eign. Now, Dick I'll tell you what
I'll do. II you will go to London
and straighten things up, I'll give you
my answer concerning your flame the
moment you return. I've been over
SO often that the very thought Of 60
ing makes me sick. Come, what do
you say, Dick2"
"If you desire it, father, I'll 70 cer-
tainly."
t'Then that's settled. Where are
you off to now?"
II was going up to the Astor, but
I'll wait until evening, and then you
can accompany me-"
"All right, Dick, all right; only
don't commit yourself. Beware of
widows, you know"
That evening Halliday and son re-
paired to the Astor house and were
conducted to one Of the private par
lors. In a few minutes Mrs. Wilkins
entered, and it was plain to be seen
that the old gentleman was amazed.
He did not wonder at his sons infatua-
tion, and afterwards acknowledged
her to be the most beautiful woman he
had ever seen. When at length they
took their departure. after spending a
delightful evening, the son said.
"What do you say, father?"
"Give me time, my boy, give me
time," was the reply.
The next day but one Dick started
for London. The weather was fair,
the passage prosperous one, and he
reached his destination safe and sound.
He found the business in terrible
state and had his hands and mind full
y occupied and week slipped by.
One morning he received letter from
his father, portion of which ran as
follows:
Concerning the widow, l am well
pleased with your choice. She is q ,
good woman, as good as beau
tiful. A triae too old for you is my !
,nly objection"
Another week went by and another
etter came, in which speaking of the ]
widow, the old gentleman said;
II am astonished at your extraordi- :
lary good judgment in such matter. Q
The more I see the lady the better I {
IN pleased. She is a most excellent
ady in every respect. A trlfe too old
or you is my only objection. a8Tf
"Good!" SAID Dick to himself. III i
yuess ! will stay week on my own :
'ccount now that the business is =
'leared up, and do London. The old 4
gentleman seems to be well pleased, v
nd guess by the time get home his Y
'nly objection will have been over 2
,ome. Not that / care straw for his :
,pinion one way or the other, but i