Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1885-01-22
A STITCH IN TINE.

A STITCH IN TINE.
1t started with the black and white
exhibition last year. | was going
through with my Uncle Mark, and we
stopped in front of n picture labelled
"The Chemist" and | asked Uncle
what he thought of it. l had been
working down at the School of Mines
myself for the past month, but had
said nothing about it to Uncle Mark.
81 hate tho sight of all of Them"
cried the old gentleman irascibly.
"Since my aunt eloped with young
whippersnapper of an apothecary's
clerk, thirty years ago, and brought
disgrace to our family, feel my fng-
ers itch to destroy all their drugs and
villainous compounds. | heard you
talking last summc. about taking up
something of the kind, Mark, and if
you had, you'd have been ten thous-
and dollars poorer than you will be
now. Id not have left you cent, sir
mot a penny, sir. The Hepworths
have always been gentlemen, and !
should be blankcd sorry, sir. to see
one of them become asyrup-mixer."
"But, Uncle, there is a great deal of
difference between Il chemist and Il
drugstore clerk, Every great scicn-
tiiic man must understand chemistry,
and even it,
"Don't you tell nc, sir. know 'em
all, sir. These chemists are all alike,
sir ~
"Well," replied, meekly giving in,
"why didn't you say something to me
about it at the time" Then, fearful
lest he might find me out, added: 81
might have gone on and become q
chemist for al you said about it then. !"
81 don't want to influence you, Mark.
You can 90 and do what you please
for anything that shall say. | have
no authority over you, and don't want
any. Only, didn't intend to leave
my money to any apothecary, sir"
This was pleasant, to say the least !
| firmly resolved to leave the School of
Mines instautcr. | had taken it up on
the sly, intending to surprise my
friends by the discovery of new met
al or some such exploit. | always
washed my hands in weak acid before
leaving the lab, and changed my
clothes and had hitherto gone on un-
detected. So | felt l was safe if |
stopped.
"By the way, Uncle" l said, "I
think | shall 60 into business. Can
you recommend me to any of your bus
mess acquaintances? | should like to
commence as soon as possible" E"
Uncle Mark looked very much pleas
ed.
That's right, my boy; that's right.
III see what | can do for you. Mean.
while, | see pretty Miss McGregor
over there, and | would be cruel to
keep you away from her any longer,
so, au revoir, Mark. Come and dine
with me this evening" and the kind
old gentleman slipped off in moment.
l instantly shot into the next room
to Miss McGrcgor's side. She also
was standing there looking at 1.-The
Chemist" J."
well, Miss Flora" said, "what do
you think OF it?'
She turned quickly and stretched out
her hand,
Good, morning, Mr.. Hepworth," ="
she cried, smiling.
"You were not at all startledp"
said, holding her hand - such a sweet
little hand, that it was pain to let 1t &c
-"And yet you did not hear me come
up?n
mo" she said, letting her hand still
lie in mine; "but it seemed so natural to
have you standing there" and then
she suddenly blushcd and drew her
hand out of my vigorous grasp.
"That is" she added, II mean that
that /"
She was growing rosily red, so came
to her rescue.
"You mean, Miss Flora" Isaid, with
n faint attempt at jocoseness, THAT
have inflicted myself on you so much
lately that you have come to look on
me as an inevitable, although tiresomc
1 incubus. Well, admit that have
haunted your steps very much lately,
and If 1t annoys you, you must send
me packing. don't wonder that you
become awfully bored"
81 did not mean that, Mr.. Hep.
worth" she said hastily.
"Miss Flora, my name is not Mr.,
Hepworth," | interrupted.
She looked at me little aston
ished.
"Your name is not Mr.. Hepworthp'
mo. That is, not to you. My name
is Mark, Miss Flora if you please.
"But don't please she said, with
a pleasant little laugh. THAT is
not yet. Why, have only known you
for half-year! But, to change the
subject, are you going to Mrs. d.
Morris Browns next Thursday nightP
81 haven't been asked that 1 know
of, said l, sadly. "a don't know Mrs
Brown"
"But your uncle could get yor
an invitation If you wish one. | an
going"
"Miss Flora, shall be there II l have
to ask Mrs. Brown myself for a card
Z But l see your mother looking anx
p iolisly for you. Shall | take You to her
TilfTuesday night, then, au reyoir..'
"Good bye" she said, and then, 81
she saw her mothers back turned
"Mark."
\ II shall thank you for that Tuesday
night" l said laughing.
After th, McGregors had driven Of
Isiarted to 60 down to Uncle Marks
but concluded to take farewell visi
to the laboratory. had become quit
attached TO the place, and felt quite |
pang at the idea Of giving up ny
"magoo-mixing.' decided TO max,
one more analysis, and then give IL vi
forever.
That evening at dinner Uncle Mari
said ,r.-is,a.
~ spoke TO Mr.. Share about you
Marx. You know the lirm, best brok