Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1886-02-13
SILAS SINGLETON.
CHAPTER 1.-THE vow.

'T'll do it," and, with the cxclama-
ton, Silas Singleton's chubby hand came
down with emphasis on the dining-room
table. ''Im only fifty eight, for man
is comparatively young at that age, when
his life has been strictly temperate and
regular one. She's good girl, and
luckily for me, perhaps, she's poor. All
girls-especially the poorer ones-place
a proper estimate on securing a rich hus-
band, and why should she be an cxcep-
tion2 Jack will be astonished, and q
little disappointed, l suppose; but l
mean to provide generously for his fu-
ture, for he is good boy and my only
living relative. He'll never dream in
what direction the land lies, though. |
have guarded my secret so well that even
she don't dream what brilliant future is
before her." Silas chuckled glecfully,
and sinking back in his chair, closed his
eyes to contemplate the future his mag
nation pictured.
Our friend Silas was a selfmade man
the architect of his own fortune, as he
was wont to put it himself, who having
realized competency in the manufacture
Of soap, retired from trade to enjoy his
ease in an uptown brown-stonc mansion.
That evening at dinner he approached
his nephew on the subject that filled his
thoughts.
Jack" he said, as he twisted his
napkin round one chubby hand, lat what
age do you think Il wise man should
marry?"
ooh, say, uncle; you'll have to give
me an easier one. That is a conundrum
rs difficult to solve as the question once
asked Ky Louis the Fourteenth of France
of lady, who had passed her eightieth
birthday. Madame, inquired the king,
when does woman cease to love"
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 nephew's
story, who heard the criticism with a
good humorcd laugh, as he asked:
care you seriously contemplating
matrimony, Uncle!"
Silas cvadcd query too direct to be
agreeable by remarking sentcntiously, 81
believe that no man should marry
until his character and habits are ire
vocably 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 l have often thought, uncle,
that the only reason for marriage as an
institution il. that it enables any fool to
make the life of at least one woman
miserable"
Don't try to be cynical, SIR Silas
said severely. ''Tis the vice of the
young men of this generation, but the
habit sits awkwar'lly 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.
Gan opinion given with the dogmatic
puppyism of youth What the deuce do
you know about it. sir? y woman's
temper mcllows with age
cor becomes more acid with accumu-
lating years. But seriously, uncle,
suppose there never yet was young fell
low of eight-and twenty who had not met
some dainty morscl of feminine humanity
of whom he would say, There is the girl
l should like to call my wife, but you
see, uncle, a fellow with the right sort of
heart will not marry the girl he loves
even, unless he feels confident he can So
cure her future beyond the reach of pow
erty."
"You might not be apprehensivc OF
poverty, Jack. With your salary and
my allowance, you could continue to live
comfortably, | 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 intcn-
ton to present you with a check for ten
thousand doll.rs on the day of your mar
riagc."
''Oh, you amt serious, sir. Upon my
word, il | thought you were, l would be
Benedict within a week.
Without further remark Silas tore Il
blank leaf from his note book, and wrote
the following: II, silas Singleton, prom
iac to pay my nephew, John Sing lcton,
marriage, sho1ld the lady be above re-
proach."
He handed this document to his
nephew, who after glance folded ii
carefully and placed it in his pocket.
"My dear uncle, you may call me &
Dutchman if 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, ;.>
he was about leaving the house the fol
lowing evening. He was dressed wit!
more than usual care, and his step w:sas
elastic us n boys as he ran down the
steps. Ten minutes ride on the surface
rails would have brought him to his DIES.
tination, but he preferred to walk, and
his thoughts translated into speech would
be expressed rs follows: "Silas Single
ton, this is /; monentous crisis in youl
life. You are about to ask girl to be
your wife, but Cont 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 1T the door of a tenement
house in West Thirty-fourth street tt
adjust his nccktie before ascending th,
stairs. He knocked at door on the
second floor, and Il clear, girlish voice
babe him come in.
Good evening, Miss Lefty" said
Silas, as he entered the room.
ooh rood-evcuinr Mr. Sinolcton