Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-10-31
Uncle Nahum's Wedding.

Uncle Nahum Nixon was reading the
paper in his back parlor Nobody
would think, to look at the simple sur
roundings of the unpretentious apart
ment, that Mr.. Nahum was one of the
wealthiest men in town. The carpet, it
was true, was Administer, but it had
seen twenty years OF good service, and
was worn down to the very warp; the
faded red curtains were of moreen in
stead of satin damask; the old clock on
the mantel was no Partisan affair of al
abaster and guilt. but substantial Con-
necticut time>piece that struck with q
whirr, like partridge springing out of
her nest; the chairs of old fashioned
mahogany and haircloth stood bolt up
right against the wall; the portraits of
Gen. Washington on horseback and the
surrender Of CORVALLIS ornamented
the gray papered walls in frames of
sombre guilt, and the one elegance of
the apartment was a casket of prepos-
ferrous flowers under cracked glass
shade.
But Uncle Nixon had remembered
that furniture ever since he was child,
and he wouldn't have exchanged it for
the fittings of Parisian boudoir, or the
choicest specimens of the modern East
was quite enough for him.
"If you please, Mr.. Nixon" said the
trim little maid servant, "Mr. Mar
maduke Bourne wants to see you
if you please, sir, if you are quite at
leisure"
"Mr. Marmaduke Bourne, eh ?" The
old gentleman took off his spectacles
and laid them on folded newspaper.
Ask him in, Polly"
And Mr.. Marmaduke Bonrne came
ina tall, fresh-colored fellow with
sparkling gray eyes, brown hair. all in
mat of curls, and q straight Greek
nose that seemed as If it might nave
been borrowed from some ancient Apol
10.
"Well, sir ?" said Mr.. Nixon.
swell, sir" counter. .interrogated Mr..
Bourne; ibid you get my letter ?"
II got your letter." eaid Uncle Ma.
niece, Faith ?"
Eyes, sir" valiantly acknowledged
Mr.. Marmaduke Bourne.
"Ah," nodded Uncle Nahum. "But
perhaps you don't understand all the
facts of the case"
1.-THE facts, sir ?"
II want my niece to marry Col. Ash
lands son." slowly enunciated Uncle
Nahum.
"But, sir, she don't love him."
"Pshaw! snarled uncle Nahum.
"And if she don't marry him she'll be
beggar-I'll give her no money of
mine. Now you understand matters.
Marry her, or not, as you please"
He took up the newspaper once more
"a tacit intimation that the interview
was at at an end.
"Sir," began Mr.. Bourne.
"That'll do" thundered Mr.. Nixon.
And SO Mr.. Marmaduke Bourne went
away.
Little Faith Nixon came down stairs
presently-a blue, eyed blossom of a
girl, with yellow hair growing low on
her forehead, and very little mouth,
exactly the shape to suggest the idea Of
kissing.
Uncle Nahum looked keenly up at
Strengthening table cover here or pat
ting down a curtain fold there.
Eyes," said he with curious twitch
of the muscles around his eyes, The has
been here"
"I-I didn't ask any questions, Uncle
Nahum"
mo. but your eyes did," chuckled
| the old man. HE wants to marry you
the improvident young donkey !"
Faith came to her Uncle's chair and
laid her hand lightly on his shoulder.
''That isn't the worst of it, Uncle Ma.
hum-I want to marry him."
"Humph! !" snarled Mr.. Nixon, in
high contempt. "And what do you ex.
pect to live on, l should like to know ?''
1--WE can both work." said Faith,
bravely.
you're more likely to starve,U said
! Mr.. Nixon. mind, don't count on
help from me. If you will get married
! you will do it at your own risk"