Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-09-23
Griffith and Gabriel.

yoa hereY
why, Gabriel, what on earth brings
you here?'
The first speaker, a nth, bright,
young fellow, laughed as his cousin
echoed his words, seeming a young
man ready to laugh on the slightest
provecation.
The second speaker was grave and
sallow and thin, very carefully and
plainly dressed and not even smile
crossed his lips; he indeed appeared
to await reply rather anxiously.
what brings me here?' said Ga
briel, here being a small country
station; 4 come to see uncle Clinch-
fist
'Hush-shl'
oh, he can't hear, and / don't care
if he does. l came to tell him that l
am engaged to be married, which l
am, praise the fates! Hoorahl'
Indeed Has the lady got any
money!
Not penny! cried Gabriel, with
beaming face that's the best of it.
She had, but she lost it all, and that's
why we ale to be married at once, as
she hasn't home, poor little darling.
Isay, l shall just work like bricks for
her.
'Humphl And why do you wish to
tell uncle James? Will he do anything
for you
Gabriel colored slightly with mo-
mentary anger.
q shan't ask him. I owe him some
consideration as he educated me as
well as you; besides which, you must
remember the promise we two gave
him when we left him to begin the
world on our own account, that we
would always keep him informed as to
our movements. Until now l have
done it by letter; but I wanted to iell
him all about Carrie, and couldn't do
it in writing. And now what brings
you here?'
"A similar errand. I am engaged
to be married also. The young lady
has no money but expectations. I
intend to ask my uncle's advice and
counsel
The two young men were walking
rapidly through country lane to the
slightly gloomy mansion, wherein
dwelt the millionaire, uncle Clinch6st.
as tribe of poor relations had long
ago entitled him, on account of his
miserly disposition they explained to
strangers, with few legends illustra-
tive of his hardness, meanness, and
stinginess.
The only members of the large fam
lily to which he belonged to whom he
had shown any kindness were his two
nephews, Gabriel and Griffith, only
sons of his only brothers, both OF
whom had died penniless.
Uncle James, alias Clinch6st, had
educated the two together, and given
them fair start in life in a lawyers
office !
By this time Griffith had obtained
his first brief; whilst Gabriel in fit
of insanity as his friends avowed, cut
the law for literature, to the extreme
indignation of his uncle.
Some time ago the amiable old
gentleman had closed his doors
against the cousins and-hslf cousins
who fawned upon him, and limited at
an intention of leaving his worldly
goods to an asylum for animals; but
the family in general believed that
his money would be devlded between
bis favored nephews
He received them to-day with the
scanty courtesy rich man bestows on
his poor relatives; money like knowl-
edge, is power.
After dinner--a meal served on
principles of the strictest economy
he begged to be informed why they
had come here.
Il suppose he said, turning to his
younger nephew, you are up to the
eyes in debt? I knew your paltry
scribbling would bring you to that
pass; but shan't pay a farthing, that's
fiat, my gentlemen
My gentlemen ignored the remark.
With blush not unbecoming to
his youthful manhood he told his
love-story, uncle James listening in
silence until the tale was ended. Il
Then he broke forth:
Father died insolvent, and you
mean to marry her at once because {
she's too delicate to work for l
herself2 What stupid you must be! {
Don't you think so, eh, Griffith
1T does seem little imprudent,
Griffith diffidently returned. {
Seems? 1t is! And now let's hear
your tale. You are not in debt, I
dare vouch. What is it?' and being
told, uncle James opened his eyes. ,
you are engaged? What woman
was idiot enough to take a miserable
scarecrow like your 6
Gabriel looked disguised. I
Griffith gave a feeble laugh at his I
uncle's wit, and added that he had
not finally committed himself; he had |
preferred to wait and hear his more I
than fathers opinion. 1t
4 like your prudence, said the old '
L ~