Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1885-09-03
MEXICO, MISSOURI, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER g. 1885

never have secured for him. 1t is
not my habit to traduce my fellow
creatures, but there are occasions
when the truth is desirable, and on
which even I do not shrink from ut
tering it.
Accordingly, when Clare returned
home and informed me that she had
listened to the proposals of this young
man, at once declared she should
never have my consent to such a
match. The father had been a mean
spirited fellow, and his son, was
satisfied, could be no better. l de-
clined even to discuss the subject in
any shape. To some my action may
appear to peremptory, but 1 had
taken to heart the old scriptural truth
that grapes do not grow on thorns,
nor, to apply the simile, high-minded
sons spring from sordid parents.
After the first outbreak the subject
was allowed to drop, and 1 was in
hopes that Glare had forgotten her
girlish fancy for this Objectionable
person. 1t was, therefore. with no
little indignation I found that O cor
respondence had been established
between the two.
I like to keep up all traditions
call them prejudices if you willard
one of my dearest is that the head of
household should be a father to
those who live beneath his roof, one
to whom all may come for advice in
trouble or comfort in sorrow, I re-
gret that in my own case the theory
has been so far restricted to its prim-
tive limits, and has not yet attained
the fuller proportion of practice.
But to encourage the idea 1 make it
a rule to retain in my possession the
key of the postbag, so that all letters
shall pass through my hands. I need
hardly say that my object in so doing
is softly to breed that spirit of con-
fidence which is the first necessity of
a united family.
Thus it happened that on the pre-
vious Sunday morning l found my
self called upon to deliver to Glare a
letter which even the cursory exam
ination I was able to give it satisfied
me that it came from young Brown.
Whatever my annoyance might be,
I showed no trace of it at the time.
My principle Is to lay aside on the
day in question all mundane matters
that might distract the mind from its
higher duties. But I made little
mental note that I would take an
early opportunity of having an ex-
PLANTATION with Clare.
The chance came at lunch. time
next day., AS have said, the con-
versation took a somewhat disagree
able turn, and resulted in my decid-
ing to face the bitter east wind rather
than continue controversy in which
all the talking was on one side and
the reason on the other.
The advent of Mr.. Panton was,
therefore, almost providential. Here
was a young fellow, good-looking,
well to-do, and with a proper conf
dence in himself. The scheme which
flashed into my mind was, indeed a
, happy one. He was, according to
, his own declaration, an acknowledged
lady-killer. What better opportunity
than this could he have for showing
his skill? True, Clare's disposition
was an obstinate one, but at least his
attentions might divert her mind from
that other absorbing subject. Still I
must act with caution. It would not
do to let Panton suspect Twas throw
ing my daughter at his head, else he
might seek safely in flight. It would
4 rather be necessary delicately to ex-
cite his amour propre and leave the
+, rest to chance.
At dinner he and I did all the
t talking. Glare was unusually silent,
9 but showed greater interest, although
not always an approving one, in the
{ strangers conversation. It was not
b until the repast was nearly ended
r that he addressed her directly.
+ "Your father and I were discussing
the subject of woman this afternoon
u Miss DENLY, but I fear did not come
u to satisfactory conclusion.
/ ''That was pity she answered
|. coldly. "Under the circumstances
it any conclusion would have been bet
IS ter than a continuance of the debate
a He laughed cheerily. "You provoke
it's resumption, Miss DENLY"
# 'Then, to avoid such calamity,
g propose to withdraw the subject alto
e, gether," she answered, making a shov
a of rising.
< s.Heaven Forbid" he cried, with
,r pretended air of dispair. 'It is fa
too attractive to permit of our losinI
,e sight of it yet WHILE
20 II accuse Mr.. Panton of being
in poet, my DEAR I interrupted. III
D. has all the paraphernalia Of one
g tropes, SMILES, sentiment, passion.
is 81 stand convicted" be reioined
as 'but only as voiceless singer.
n, possess the necessary baggage, it
s. true, but, alas! have locked it ava
m and lost the key irrevocably."
rs ssWe must try to find it for hin