The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-02-23
THE CLEVERNESS OF MIR. PARA
Disc.

Old Mr.. Paradise was vulgar old
gentleman, whose chief merit was that
he had raised himself by his own in
dustry and ability from the humblest
origin to the position of a merchant
prince. He had an only daughter, of
whose beauty and accomplishments he
was not unjustly proud. But, though
he was an indulgent father in most
things, he made no secret of his inten-
ton that she should marry whom he
pleased and not choose husband for
herself. Like most self-made men, he
desired a son-in-law as rich as himself,
and was particularly on his guard
against needy fortune-hunters. Unfor-
tunately, he had not the tact to dis
criminate between the latter class and
the would-be suitors whose prospects
would, in the opinion of a less eXacting.
parent, have justified them in aspiring
to his daughters hand. For instance,
nothing could be reasonably urged
against young Acheson Balbernie,
whose admiration for Ethel Paradise
was honest and undisguised. He was
adjutant to his regiment, had qualified
for q staff appointment and was re-
garded as a highly promising young
officer. Besides being a gentleman by
birth and education, he had very fair
income, and, in short, most parents
would have regarded him as rather q
good match. But Mir. Paradise was by
no means satisfied with the young mans
prospects and position, and when it be-
gan to dawn upon him that matters
were getting serious he Immediately
assumed a hostile and aggressive atti-
tude.
Il shall have to give that young Bal
bernie bit of my mind, Loo" he re-
marked to his wife in an ominous tone
one afternoon, observing the young man
deep in an animated conversation with
Miss Ethel; "he's always coming
here"
I'm sure, John, you particularly
asked him here yourself" said Mrs.
Paradise, uneasily.
Il asked the whole garrison, for that
matter" he returned sharply. "If he
had any proper feeling he'd have
stopped away"
"Why?" inquired his wife.
''Why? Because he isn't wanted
here; that's why" answered Mr.. Para
disc, impatiently. ''What he is up to
is as plain as pikestaff he's after our
Ethel"
''Well, I'm sure, John, he is very
nice young man," his wife ventured to
say.
He isn't good enough for me, and
I'll tell him so at once," said Mr.. Para
disc, moving off toward the tennis
ground, with an angry frown.
''Stay minute, John" said his wife
imploringly. Il wouldn't say anything
to him, if l were you-not to-day. L
think Ethel likes him, John
''What!' roared old Mr.. Paradise,
growing very red in the face ''You
think the girl likes him, and you've
never said word to men'
Poor Mrs. Paradise looked painfully
guilty, and seemed completely annihi-
lated by her husbands furious indigna-
ton. She was gentle, meek-spirited
lady, who had long ago realized the
trusty old adage that riches do not con-
stitute happiness. When she married
Mr.. Paradise he was struggling clerk,
and in those days his temper was GER
tainly easier to put up with. Prospect
ty had rendered him dictatorial and
Overbearing to degree which caused
him to develop into q domestic tyrant.
Forgetting his own origin, he was
keenly conscious of his wife's homeli-
ness and defective education, and at
tributed entirely to her the GOODNESS
with which the more exclusive of their