The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1885-07-03

shops, a retail concern, and he has sold
many paper of tacks over the counter.
I was in Europe; so this interest
ing tack-seller ran down to Cape
May every Sunday, and staid
until Monday. Then he had a clerks
two weeks vacation, and he spent that
at Cape May. 1 came back in October,
and before had been home twenty
four hours who should call at the house
but this young man? He wanted to see
me, and saw him, and was informed
by him that he had wooed and won my
ward. asked if he proposed to take
her to live over the shop"
Mr.. Leigh's thin lips curled down.
ward; he glanced at the parson for
sympathy, but he encountered a steady,
somewhat critical look. DIR. Melton
took the pipe out of his mouth and
blew cloud of smoke upward through
his moustache.
"Why shouldn't they live over the
shop?" he said.
"Oh, you don't understand" Mr..
Leigh exclaimed, fretfully. "She has
been brought up in luxury and she ought
to have some idea of what is proper
and fitting. There has been a terrible
time. Why, assure you have had the
sympathy of all Philadelphia. This
hardware man had the etfrontery to say
that he had money enough to take care
of wife, just as though he had never
thought of my wards little fortune.
He begged me to go and see his en-
ployers-people never heard of-and
/ told him that / did not want their
recommendations; did not propose to
hire bookkeepcr. He was insolent,
and 1 ordered him out. Then she
blazed away at me, the weak, infatuated
girl. / tried to reason with her; my
wife talked to her; my son-well, you
see, my son wanted to marry her too,
and he would have made just the hus-
band for her, but she told him if he
spoke to her she would ask her hard
ware man to protect her. Think of it
AS though Morton would insult her
the best hammered man that ever
lived"
Mr.. Leigh had grown excited. His
cigar had gone out, and he relighted it,
drawing at it fercely until the end
burned bright like bit of coal.
"And Morton is very fond of her," he
continued-"so fond of her, in fact,
that he is waiting like hero for this to
blow over. think the farce is nearly
ended, for the hardware man became
partner the other day in a nail factory
or something Of that sort, and week
ago he sailed for Europe. He will have
to stay year, travelling for his firm,
and when he comes back" Mr.. Leigh
broke off to smile astutely and to drop
the lid over his left eve.
"I don't exactly understand your OBJ
jections to him." said DIR. Melton, slow
ly. "Does he keep low company?"
no." answered Mr.. Leigh; "but-"
IL beg your pardon" said the doctor,
interrupting him, "but want to speak
in his behalf. He must be inducious,
and no fool, and prospering, OF
he would not have jumped into
this new position. confess 1 don't
think you have made out clear case.
Of course you want to see your son
happy; but if she does not love your
son, that ends the matter. And If she
does love this other man, and he is hon
est and upright, why should he not
have her ?"
"He is not her equal, said Mr.. Leigh.
"You know in Philadelphia"
The parson rose up with stifed ex-
clamation that, coming from layman's
lips, might have sounded profane.
at is warm in here" he said. II
want little fresh air; 1 am not used to
furnace heated house. Poor girl!
The city has not yet claimed me for its
own, and l miss the fireplace in my old
study. Poor fellow"
He threw up the window and looked
out on high expanse of tiny high
fenced back yards; but overhead
was the clear sea of sky, where the |
moon rode at anchor amid the fleet of
stars. He stood there, drawing in the
crisp December air, until tap sounded |
on the door. "Come in," he cried, and
one of his daughters entered-a tall,
slim girl with her fathers blue eyes.
"Papa," she said, pressing close to
him, and smiling mysteriously, "there
arc some people in the parlor."
"Drawing-room, my DEAR" said the
doctor. "We are in Philadelphia.
"We are not, but no matter" she re-
turned, 'I tell you there are some peo-
pie in the parlor, and / think it is our
first town wedding. She is very pretty,
and she has on the lovliest little bonnet
you ever saw. Go marry 'em quick,
and let me be witness, only they have
two witnesses with them"
He passed his arm about her and
kissed her, she did not know why; then
led her to his guest.
"Mollie, this is classmate of mine.
My daughter, Mr.. Leigh-Mr. Harvey
Leigh of Philadelphia. You must e1-
,use me for few minutes"
He went into the adjoining parlor.
Yes, it was wedding party, no doubt,
,ut the would-be bride and groom did
lot look like the brides and grooms
hat seek out parson in such fash I
on. The man was a gentleman, with
inc face and dignifed bearing. The
,irl was pretty, but more than that, she
lad an air of courage, of self-reliance;