The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-02-03
SILAS SINGLETON.
CHAPTER 1.-THE vow.

.1'u do itm and, with the exclama.
ton. Silas Singleton's chubby hand came
down with emphasis on the dining-room
table. 'I'm only hfty-eig int, for man
is comparatively young at that age, when
his life has been strictly temperate and
regular one. She's a good girl, and
luckily for me, perhaps, she's poor. All
girls-espccially the poorer ones-place
q proper estimate on securing rich hus-
band, and why should she be an exccp'
tion2 Jack will be astonishcd, and
little disappointed, I suppose; but
mean to provide generously for his fu-
ture, for he is a good boy and my only
living relative. He'll never dream IN
what direction the land lies, though. l
have guarded my secret so we'll that even
she don't dream what brilliant future is
before her." Sias chuckled gleefully,
and sinking back in his chair, closed his
eyes to contemplate the future his mag
ination pictured.
Our friend Silas was self-made man
the architect of his own fortune, as he
was wont to put it himself, who having
realized competencyin the manufacture
of soap, retired from trade to enjoy his
ease in an uptown brown-stonc mansion
That evening at dinnsc he approached
his nephew on the subject that filled his
thoughts. >.
Jack" be said, as he twisted his
napkin round one chubby hand, cat what
age do you think wise man should
marrv2"
"Oh, say, uncle; you'll have to give
me an easier one. That is conundrum
as difficult to solve as the question once
asked by Louis the Fourteenth of France
of lady, who had passed her eightieth
birthday. Madame, inquired the king,
when does a woman cease to loVes
Sire replied the venerable dame, with
the most bewitching smirk, you must
ask some lady older than L.
''Jack, do not try to be funny" was
the comment of Silas on his ncphew's
story, who heard the criticism with a
good-humored laugh, as be asked:
e = care you seriously contemplating
'matrimony, Uncle2"
silas evaded query too direct to be
agreeable by remarking sententlously, II
believe that no man should marry
until his character and habits are ire
vocahay formed-until the ripe wisdom
of experience should enable him to guide
with greater safety the domestic bark
through all the shoals and quicksands of
the matrimonial ocean. But every man,
Jack, should obey the instinct implanted
in his nature for an all-wise purpose, and
marry"
yet I have often thought, uncle,
that the only reason for marriage as an
institution is, that it enables any fool to
make the life of at least one woman
miserable"
sDon't try to be cynical, SIR" Silas
said severely. ''Tis the vice of the
young men of this generation, but the
habit sits awkwardly upon you. Have
you never thought of marrying"
''Uncle Silas, the voice of the young
woman of this generation is uncertainty
of temper" Jack answered with i'm
perturable gravity.
"An opinion given with the dogmatic
puppyism of youth. What the deuce do
you know about it. sir2 A woman's
temper mellows with age"
= s'Or becomes more acid with accumu-
lating years. But seriously, uncle, |
suppose there never yet was young fel-
low of eight-and twenty who had not met
some dainty morsel of feminine humanity
of whom he would say, There is the girl
I should like to call my wife, but you
see, uncle, fellow with the right sort OF
heart will not marry the girl he loves
even, unless he feels confident he can Sc
cure her future beyond the reach of pov-
erty."
''You might not be apprehensivc of
poverty, Jack. With your salary and
nv allowance, you could continue to live
comfortably, I guess"
"Indeed, uncle, you have been more
than generous to me, and"
Don't interrupt me, boy. was about
to add that it has been always my inten
ton to present you with check for ten
thousand dollars on the day Of your mar
riage;"
word, if I thought you were, would lie
Benedict within week"
Without further remark Silas tore a
blank leaf from his note book, and wrote
the following: II, Silas Singleton, prom
Use to pay my nephew, John Singleton,
ten thousand dollars on the day of his
marriage, should the lady be above re-
proach."
He handed this document to his
nephew, who after a glance folded it
carefully and placed it in his pocket.
'My dear uncle, you may call ME
Dutchman if I don't demand that check
before the week is out"
CHAPTER 1.-THE PROPOSAL.
"Tell my nephew he must dine alone
tonight" Silas said to his servant, as
he was about leaving the house the fol-
lowing evening. He was dressed with
more than usual care, and his step was as
elastic as a boys as he ran down the
steps. Ten minutes ride on the surface
rails would have brought him to his dcs-
tination, but he preferred to walk, and
his thoughts translated into speech would
be expressed as follows: ''Silas Single
ton, this is momentous crisis in your
life. You are about to ask girl to be
your wife, but don't make fool of your
SELF Silas Singleton. Be calm, concise
and decisive. Get to the point at once,
and you must be successful"
He paused at the door of tenement
house in West Thirty fourth street to
adjust his nccktie before ascending the
stairs. He knocked at door on the
second floor, and a clear, girlish voice
bade him come in.
IL