The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1886-05-21
From the Boston Record.
HOW JOEL PARKS MANAGED
HIS DAUGHTER.
BY =. =. @. ROBBINS.

when L read my first novel," Mr. Parks wo
saying. "fou sec a man that starts on life
journey as did, barefooted, so to speak. ha
got to attend to business and nothing else for
gocd many years, If he expects to get anywher
In particular at last lie does not get much tim
Tor light reading, Doctor. But in the last few
years I've read good many, and enjoy them
especially when they seem true to life, and
think can generally tell when they are,
like Trollope on that account 1 never saw an
archbishop or duke, but know as we'll as
want to that he just hits them off to IT. And
like that Howells, if he does hold men such
rs be up to ridicule. Aud let mo tell YOU.
Doctor, there is instruction in novels. Those
writers have to study human nature I've pot
many hint about managing men from reading
those books.
fes, said the doctor, 'I've read them all
my life, and like them yet-love passages and
all Funny, isn't it?'' he continued, chow two
old gray heads like you and me will follow the
love story of silly boy and girl who won't lis.
ten 70 their natural guardians. and sympathize
with them every time. We never have any
feeling for the seosble fathers and mothers of
our own age who are plotted against"
II don Know about that" was the reolv.
IL do sometimes sympa,hize with tho old folks
and think that if had been it their placos
would have been more successful in having NV
own way"
''Wcll, JOEL said the other, with n ,auob
81 guess that is one point on which you never
get much instruction from story-telers. pana
and mamma always have their ideas Of tbe;r
u'ueh'er future The wrong young man
happens along, and she develops her ideas quite
opposite from theirs. And she always comes
out ahead. You want to carry your point
win your offspring, you will have to learn how
outside of story-bO
"a sssis onf, N ihsG asshaas W q.
don't suppose that shall ever want to interfere
with my daughter about husband or lover;
but if should, am sure that could learn
something from the novelists.''
If there were no condolences, there would be
NJ stories. 1t was coincidence that later on
that same evening, Mrs. Joel Parks, amiable
lady whose mind was in her husbands keeping,
said TO him:
"Joel, have you ever noticed that Lee Til
ton and Annie seem to be taking notion for
each other?'
Joel was engaged with his newspaper at the
time, aud he did not take his eyes from the list
of newly appointed postmasters which he had
been reading. But it cost him an effort, for his
wifes question was u shock indeed Such an
idea had never occurred to him; and as he sat
there, physically at case, he found his thought,
sadly crowdng each other.
Lee Tilton! One Of his own clerks A
likely fellow enough, pleasant and honest. But
he didn't like Leo Tilton. He didn't know just
why, and he had never thought of it before,
but now he sure Of much. Lee was
nothing but Redfeld boy,anyway and uuambi-
tious-staying in little place like that, and
living with his mother and sister. And then
his daughter Annie. What future was posi-
BILE for that girl Beautiful rs any heroine of
fiction. No! his daughter should never be
given to Lee Tilton!
That was one decision, absolute and final
A subordinate question was also discussed and
settled in the mental council Of war. 1t would
perhaps be as we'll that Mrs. Parks should no
for the present know her husbands feelings il
the matter. SO much having been arranged
he slowly raised his eyes from the paper, looked
at his wife absently, and said:
"Oom-eh?'
81 was asking if you had noticed anything
inf particular between Lee Tilton and Annie,
replied Mrs. Parks, placidly.
No, / think not. Put what have you no
ticed %
"why don't know. Not much Of any thing
nerbons But he comes I'M here evenings mt
they read together some. And-well, on
thing and another has led me to think that the
might pc getting interested in each other
Joel did not continue the conversation, bu
soon betook himself to the room, half Office an
half library, where he was wont to retire whe
he had leisure for reading, or when he ha
some perplexing business problem to think ou
Here he sat awhile in medit ton. He had &C
cepted in full his wife's revelation withou
il was based.
His camp had been surprised How shoul
he meet the foe j.? Presently lie stepped to Il
shelves hich lined the room, and hastily turne
over the pages Of several novels, just as a Law
yer might in an emer gency consult books viii
which he was already very familiar
Yes, kere were plenty Of cases. Here W
the girl Of high social position, the daughter
a duke, who becomes enamored Of the po
young commoner, The father interferes. Il
girl will net disobey her father, but neither W
she give up her lover Taken abroad and
correspondence allowed. No use. Takes
interest in anything. Rarely seen to smil
And her father has 10 give il up at last.