Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-01-16
- Mr.. Tovner that L feared

SotlN - -
make an appointment for us to go to-
oether to the office of Towner, Foot u
Co. Ten the following morning was
fixed for the time. / felt l could not
90 earlier, as I did not wish to miss
any chance of seeing my unknown
beauty. All day my spirits were very
high at the thought of really meeting
MIR. Towner, though how an introduce
ton merely for business purposes was
10 be the foundation OF a friendship L
did not know. Twas not bad-looklng
fellow. but still not so attractive as to
cause any one to fall in love with me at
first sight; still. ] was hopeful. Ten
the following morning found us on our
way to No. 8 Hancock street. A very
small clerk sat behind the desk in the
outer office. We asked if MIR. Towner
was in and if we could see him. The
clerk went to inquire. and III a few
minutes we We're ushercd into the pres
cnce of Mr.. Towner, a stout, Jolly
looking old gentleman OF about sixty.
His white hair stood up straight all
over his head, as if it detied brush or
comb. His sharp, black eyes
twinkled with fun and shrewd-
ness. His watch-chain and studs
were very massive, and. together
| with his black oroadcloth clothes.
| :ave him a general air OF %at1lucnce and
comfort. Mr.. Towncr rose as we en-
tered and shook hands cordially with
| my agent. who then turned to me and
said: '.Allow me to introduce my
friend Mr.. ~Smartchild." Mr.. Towner
smiled and said he was happy TO meet
me. | felt rather embarrassed, al
though neither of my companions
thought l had amy objcctin view except
business. 1t was soon settled about
my iron railing. and. as ! could think
of no excuse for staying Longer. 1 was
preparing to leave the room when MIR.
Towner stopped mt to ask if had not
some relations in Machias. lIe. l re-
piled that | had. He wen" on to say
that he had known a Frank Smart
child in his youth who afterward be-
came quite u prominent lawyar in Port
land. but that for the last ten years he
had not heard of or from him. He fin
ished by SAYING: ''lour name is so pc
culiar that Isupposed he was some rela-
ton of yours" answered: "llc is
my uncle and | am his namesalle." Mr..
Tow1er seemed delighted to hear this.
and kept plying me with questions
| about my uncle. After l had answered
all Mr.. Towner's questions concerning
my uncle | started again to leave the
| Office. When Mr.. Towner saw that )!
was really going he said: ''Ihis must
not be the endof our acquaintance with
one another. You must ,:lsnlc to the
house to see us. suppos: YOU como
next Sunday to dinner. soall be very
| GLAD to have my family 9inow the
nephew OF such Il good freud as your
uncle was to me-" l%acceptei the invi-
tat'on With warmth but Ecaimncss. it
really seemed too good to be true.
As we walked away from Mr. Town
er'S Office. my agcntcongratulatcd HIM
self on beng the means OF bringing
Mir. Towner and me together. Little
did he know how ] had schemed and
planned % become acquainted with tbs:
Towncr family. Perhaps sume time |
would tell him my story ii all pro-
crossed rs well us it now p7o1nised.
All day my thoughts We're occupied
with my prospective wish. That eve
ming / went to take a shrrt walk. !
was buried deep in thought, and as
some II in passing pusnrd me a little
l came back to the present. and on
looking to see where | Gad wandered
found myself III Concord venue
was convinced my thoughts must have
been much more occupied with my
lovely unknown friend than | had sup
posed if unconsciouslv in walking lhad
straved to where she lived. Alter this
occurrence l did not allow nVself tc
think of my visit except when | act The
supposed Miss Towner ea5n morning
on my way down town.
She seemed To grow move beautiful
each time i saw her. Saturday morn,
ing as She passed me a handkerchic
fell from her jacket pocket. She die
not notice anything had dropped.
stopped and picked up the handker
chief to return it to its owner As
handed tito her she raised her beautiful
eyes and smiled with ineflable sweet
ness as she said: s'Many thanks" In
moment it was ver but how de
lightfal to have heard her voice-it Ger
tainly did justice to her face and figure
Sunday was a lovely autumn day.
started early and walked slowly to
ward Concord avenue. AS | walkedul
[ the steps ] saw Mr.. Towrer sittin:
reading at the front window, but he di,
: not see me-. rang the bell. A whit
capped and aproncd maid opened tn
door She u>hered me into the broa'
+ hall, taking my hat and cane, an
ihaving asked my name) drew bac1
!, the heavy red portieres and announce,
| Mr.. Smartchild." On hearing N,
, name Mr.. Towner looked up confused
~ from his book. In a minute h
seemed to realize who l was an
stepped forward With q pleasant good
day. After this greeting | locke
around the o expecting to see othe
! persons. but Mr.. Towncr and ! We're il
only occupants. Mir. Towner sal
nothing about the family being absent
and | did rot feel at liberty to open til
4 subject. but sat down and recon
: mcnced talking about my uncle. !
t the pauses in the conversation
glanced at 4 clock | saw standing o
the man1el; it said quarter-past two
Mr.. Towner had invited me to dime
at two, but he made no apology fc
~ either being late or for the non-al
d pearancc Of the family. Finally abo,
half past two | heard several person
n come up the front steps and enter II