Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1885-02-05
TRoTs MOTHER.

TROT'S MOTHER.
s'Well, my boy, I'll try and tell you
all about it from the beginning. Help
yourself to cigar first, and pass the box
to me. | knew you would want to hear
particulars, and II have been trying to
put off the evil moment. I'm getting an
old man now, Harry, and all this shook
me good deal at the time.
"Come here, Trot, and sit on my
knee. There, that's better. Seems odd,
Harry, don't it, to see an old bachelor
like me nursing tiny bit of girl like
Trot9 -Four years old to-day, aren't you,
Trot? How the time f1ies
''You see, my dear lad, you ought to
have told her before youlSwent away
She never guessed that you thought of
her in that way. 1t might have saved
her-who knows?
Tt must be nine years since your
Uncle Will died and left Violet in my
care. She was only fifteen then. Don't
you think Trot is very like her? The
same large brown eyes and long lashes,
the same loving little ways.
"She came to me one morning soon
after you started for China, with letter
in her hand
Look here. uncle, she said, kneel-
ing beside me, and holding the note
where could read; it's from the Colds,
and they invite me to 60 and stay with
them at Ventnor. May l accepta
"'Do you want to go, Violeta' I
asked.
"'of course do, she answered,
laughing. we are so quiet here at
home, and this would be such delight
full change Please let me, uncle. I'll
write you long letters, and tell you about
everything
II did not want to part with her even
for little time, for the three years she
had been with me then had made my
life quite different matter; but it
seemed selfish to keep the bright, merry
girl always shut up with crusty old
man. I gave her leave to go, and then,
when after fortnight she wrote, beg
ging to be allowed to stay longer, as her
friends wished, / had not the heart to
refuse. She was there Eve weeks and
then she came home.
THE very day after her return he
came-that contemplate scoundrel whom
in those few weeks she had learned to
regard as a hero. How he found out at
first that she had little fortune of her
own don't know. He asked for me,
and told me that he wanted my permis-
sion to address my niece.
He was good-looking young fellow,
and had frank, open manner, that was
sure to win girls favor, but | thought
of you, Harry, and determined to pre-
vent the matter going further if could.
took a strong and apparently unreason-
able dislike to him, and made many in
quiries, hoping to find out something
that would justify me in forbidding him
the house, but entirely in vain. But
studied; observed every little act and
word, until at last was convinced that
I knew him through, and that he was no
fit husband for my little Violet.
by this time it had become kind of
tacit engagement, and knew I should
seem almost brutal for interfering, but
couldn't bear the idea Of giving Violet
into his care. / vowed to myself that
nothing on earth should induce me to
do SO, and told him to discontinue his
visits.
sgThe result Of that was that he came
to definite understanding with Violet,
and she promised to marry him, with or
without my consent.
'Don't look at me SO rcproachfully,
Harry. 1t may be that acted unwisely
all through; but if SO have been severely
punished for my folly. You have let
your cigar out. Here are the matches.
/" You want me to tell you all she said
and did-her very words, as well as l
can remember. That's a hard matter,
for my memory's not 50 good as it used
to bc.
II was sitting here one evening, when
Violet came in slowly, and sitting down
where you are, looked at me very sadly
for some minutes.
g. Uncle, dear, she said at last, 4
cannot understand you never believed
that you could be SO hard and cruel.
/" l did not speak.
(" It is net like you to be SO unjust,
SO arbitrary, she went on. 1t seems to
me, uncle, that in the matter of marriage
woman should choose for herself and
not be influenced by anyone. I have
made my choice and given my word !;
but OH / should be SO much happier if
you were not angry. Do forgive me and
be your own kind self again
Yes, when you yield to my wishes,
i answered, coldly You are mere
girl, Violet. and have had no experience
sf men If YOU we're ten years older
4 4 II