St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1883-01-20
LOVE AND BUSINESS.

In the cosy little private ofic
appertaining to their business hous
sat Halliday and son. Hallida,
was a bluff, heavy old fellow of 81
or thereabouts, with pair of keen
bright eyes, which tEinkled inces
sanity, and was seated in his chai
with his heels upon his desk. HI
son was young man of 25, tall
dark and handsome, clad in q sui
OF navy blue flannel, end was seat.
ed on a corner of the desk looking
down upon his father.
"Who is the object of your alI
devourlng passion, ell, Dick, my
boy! the old gentleman asked
Some chit of a school girl?"
cher name is Wilkins" repEed
the young man. "She is a widow
a double widow I may say-for she
has been married twice, and IS
come. don't let your chin drop to
such an alarming extent, for out
side OF all she is worth $50, 600. al
though that, in my case, IS not a
feathers weight ip the scales. She
is actually 26, but looks ten years
younger, and is as pretty as a pie
ture. She has one child, o dauch-
ter, who is at school in Paris, but,
as she is an heiress to 800, 900.
she is not an incumbrarce. by any
means"
"Diok Halliday. you're a fool!"
exclaimed the old gentlemen. 1.-THE
woman is almost old enough to be
your mother"
"Not quite SO bad as that"
Il say, sir, she's almost old
enough to be your mother! Have
you committed yourselt-has she
ensnared your"
Don't You remember our old
agreement, father. that when 1
thought of marrying I would con-
suit with you before taking the
step? I will therefore introduce
you to Mrs. Wilkins, let you study
her character, and then abide by
your decision, for I have no doubt
as to what it will be-"
"Ah!" said the old gentleman,
"that's better. That's decidedly
better. You may introduce me.
Diok, and I promise you my un-
biased opinion Of the bewitching
creature"
IAN 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 to
ruin"
well, I suppose we will have to |
send man to look after it."
"Send!" cried the old man, "that
won't do at all; one or the other of
US must go. We've trusted entire
y too much Of late, and home in
terests are almost as bad as our
loreign. Now, II! tell you what
I'll do. II you will 60 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 going makes me sick.
What do you say, Dick?"
IF you desire 1t, father, III 90,
'Then that's settled. Where are
you off to now?"
II was going up to the Astor
House, but I'll wait until evening,
md then you can accompany me-"
"All right, Dick, all right; only
lon't commit yourself. Beware Of
you know"
That evening Halliday and son
:epaired to the Astor House and
we're conducted to one of the pri-
7ate parlors. In few minutes
Yrs. wilkins entered, and il was
olain to be seen that the old gen.
leman was amazed. lie did not t
wonder at Lis sons infatuation, and
.fterwards acknowledged her to bs
he most beautiful woman he had
Yer seen. When at length they
ook their departure, after spend
ng a delightful evening, the son
aid:
"What do you say. hther?" I,
Give me time, boy, give me
ine." was the reply.
The next day but one Dick start
d for London. The weather was
cir, the passage g pleasant one,
nd he reached his destination safe
nd sound. He found the business
n terrible state, and had his mind