The Penn's Grove record., 1885-08-08

ZION. n We need some n we car
trust. I've been rather pleased Will
the way you've done your duties lately,
and I've been thinking-heml-in short
I've made up my mind to give you The
place.n
But, sir" began Wynn, in deeper.
alton.
"Oh, no thanksl | know you appre.
=. = Y and all that, OF course and I'm
ne VIC shall be satisfied with you,
Gould you be ready to go next month";
Il will think 1t over, sir. / suppose
IL Is not necessary to give you my an.
swer for a day or two?"
mo, certainly not" replied the
merchant, a little surprised at Wynn's
way of receiving such a piece Of good
fortune.
Then followed an announcement
which, for an instant, caused the book
keeper to turn hot and cold with light
ming rapidity.
"Perhaps you will be interested in a
piece of family news which has given
me the greatest satisfaction, Wynn.
My daughter is to be married."
"lmpOssiblel l mean, sir, l bad
beard nothing of it," stammered poor
Wynn.
"Eh?" exclaimed the merchant, star
ing at his companion in astonishment.
mo, l suppose not. The fact of tile
matter is, Miss Blair doesn't know of
it herself yet; but she will, of course,
be as pleased as | am. The letter only
came to-day from an old friend of mine
who has made millions-millions, my
boy-in sugar, and writes proposing a
marriage between his only son and my
daughter. The young man has seen
my Dora somewhere, it seems, and was
quite smitten with the sly little puss.
He is coming to us or a visit next week
Now haven't | cause for rejoicing to.
day, Wynn"
"Pray accept my congratulations,
SIR replied the book-keeper lugubri-
ously.
"By-the.way, Wynne," the merchant
went on, after a moments pause devo-
ted to golden anticipations, it has
struck me that you have been rather
down In the mouth lately. Are you
out of healthP"
Oh, no, sir, thank you-not atalll'
responded the young man hurriedly,
rather disconnected by this unusual
solicitude in bis behalf.
The delight with which the merchant
had that day heard of the success OF
business schemes likely to make an i'm
portant addition to the banking account
of the firm, and especially anticlpasions
of the brilliant marriage to be made
by his daughter, had filled his heart
with a sort of comfortable eondescen
ding b~enevOlenee ana goodwill to all the
world, which descended even to the
affairs of so unimportant a parsonage
as his book, keeper.
"Have you had any bad newsp"
mo, sir"
"Perhaps you are in debt. Don't be
afraid to tell mt the truth, Wynn. |
feel quite a fatherly interest in you, |
assure you, and / might do something
to help you. l shouldn't at all mind
advancing a hundred pound o. So"
81 thank you most gratefully, Mr..
Blair; but l have no debts"
Then there is nothing else for it
boy: you certainly are in Lowell"
Wynn started, blushing to the very
roots of his hair, but could lind no
words to reply, while the merchant
stared at him for a moment, and then
laughed uproariousiy, rubbing his hands
with glee as he exclaimed
There, l have it at lasti Come out
with it, young man; what's the trouble?
Won't she have your"
Eyes, sill" stammerod Wynn, in an
agony, ''but she is rich and ] am poor.
Her father would " consent"
Pooh, poohl Is that ALP You sure
ly ought to be able to manage that
somehow. Is it indiscreet to ask who
the young lady is? Do 1 know the
familyP"
II am afraid-it wouldn't do-to
mention her name," said poor Wynn,
looking wildly about for some means
of escape.
.'Well, do l know the father?"
"Yes, sir"
The merchant reflected for a moment
then brought his fist down upon the
table with a vehemence which made
the wine.glasses rattle.
Il have it nowl"
Wynn turned fairly cold.
"You needn't say yes OF no. nor
commit yourself In any way; but l
think I've got your secret. It's old
Brooks's daughterl I've seen you twice
with the young woman lately. Old
Brooks got the better of me in a bust.
ness transaction the other day, and I'd
like to be ever with him. Any way
whoever the girl is, Pm disposed to
help you"
''How, slr9" gasped Wynn.
"Why-heml-if the old fellow won't
give his consent, why shouldn't you do
without it? What do you think of elo-
ping with her?"
s'What sir9" cried Wynn, hardly be.
lieving his ears. lyon really advise
me to do that2"
"Yes-why notr What's more, IN
give you the price OF the license for a
wedding-present and lend you my car
riage any night you like to be off, be-
sides throwing in my blessing into the
bargaini l know a clergyman a few
miles from here, who would do the job
for you willingly, especially if l gave
you a note to him. | did him a favor
once"
"ARd you positively will give as
your blessing and assistance, no mat
ter who the young lady may be?" ex-
claimed the book-keeper Involuntary.
positively" replied his employer,
firm in the conviction that there was a
delightful opportunity of becoming re-
yenged upon a man who had assailed
him in his weakest point-his pocket.
81 Will help you without asking any
questions. We must teach the grasp
ing old sinner that his daughters af-
fections are not IN article of merchan-
disc. Nobody need be ashamed of you
for a son-in-law, Wynn, my boy"
"'Thank you, sir" responded the
young man family.
"Just consult the young woman, and
if all's right in that quarter, let me
know the day, and the carriage and the
price of the license shall not be want
ing. l shall not go back from my
promise
Wynn did not fail to keen his appoint.
ment at Richmond on the following
Thursday evening, finding Dora at
home and alone, as he had hoped; and
the next morning, when MI. Blair en-
tered his counting-house, he found his
book-keeper waiting a~nxiously to speak
with him.