Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1882-12-09

comfortable
condescending benevolence and good
will to all the world. which descended
even to the affairs OF so unimportant a
parsonage as his bookkeeper.
Have you had any bad newsf"
"No, sir" tn#.s .......-
Perhaps you are in debt. Don't be
afraid to tell me the truth, Wynn. I
feel quite a fatherly interest in you,
assure you, and might do something
to help you. shouldn't at all mind
advancing a hundred pounds or so.'
Il thank you most gratefully, Mr..
Blair; but 1 have no debts
"Then there is nothing else for it,
boy; you certainly are in lover'
Wynn started, blushing to the very
roots of his hair, but could find no
words to reply, while the merchant
stared at him for a moment, and then
laughed uproariously, rubbing his
hands with glee as be exclaimed
There, l have it at last, Come,
out with it, young man; what's the
trouble? won't she have you?''
Yes. sir" stammered Wynn, in an
agony; "but she is rich and l am poor.
Her father would never consent"
"Pooh, poohl Is that all? You
surely ought to be able to manage that
somehow. Is it indiscreet to ask who
the young lady is? Do l know the
family?"
IL am afraid-it wouldn't do-to
mention her name" said poor Wynn.
looking wildly about for some means
of escape.
Well, do know the father?'
"Yes, sir
The merchant reflected for a mo-
ment, then brought his fist down upon
the table with vehemence.
IL have it nowr
Wynn turned fairly cold.
you needn't say Yes or NO nor
commit yourself in any way; but l
think I've got your secret. It's old
Brooks daughter I've seen xn,,
Id like to be even with him. Any
way, whoever the girl is, I'm disposed
to help you"
"How, sir?" gasped Wynn.
Why-hem ! If the old fellow
won't give his consent, why shouldn't |
you do without it? What do you think |
of eloping with her?'
What. sir?' cried Wynn, hardly |
believing his ears. "You really |
advise me to do that?"
"Yes-why not? What's more, I'll
give you the price of the license for
wedding present and lend you my
carriage any night you like to be off,
besides throwing in my blessing into,
the bargain l know clergyman
few miles from here who would do the |
job willingly, especially if l give you a
note to him. did him favor once"
"And you positively will give us
your blessing and assistance, no matter
WHO the young lady may be?" ex-
claimed the bookkeeper, almost in
voluntarily.
Positively" replied his employer,
firm in the conviction that here was
delightful opportunity of becoming
revenged upon man who had assailed
him in his weakest point-his pocket.
II will help you without asking any
questions. We must teach the grasp
ing old sinner that his daughters affec-
tions are not an article of merchandise.
Nobody need be ashamed of you for
a son-in-law, Wynn, my boy"
"ThanlS you, sir" responded the
young man, family.
"Just consult the young woman,
and if it's all right in that quarter let
me know the day, and the carriage
and the price Of the license shall not
be wanting. l shall not go back from
my promise"
Wynn did not fail to keep his APP
pointment at Richmond on the follow
ing Thursday evening, finding Clara
at home and alone, as he had hoped;
and the next morning, when Mr.. Blair
entered his counting-house, be found
his bookkeeper waiting anxiously to
speak to him.
"Well, Wynn, is anything the mat
ter p asked the merchant, little sur
prised at seeing the young man at SO
unusual an hour elias anything new
turned up about the American affair ?"
"No, sir" Wynn stammered, blush
ing like the veriest schoolgirl. +" / am
not here to speak of business. ] must
beg your pardon for trespassing upon
your time at this hour; but you were
so very kind few days ago as to
promise ="
"Well, out with it, man ~
"That you would assist me-
"Aha--the young woman ] re-
member, now 7" exclaimed Mr.. Blair,
laughing heartily. $50 you have seen
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