The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1888-05-24
OLD MR kicKLEPoD.

enongh 10 provide Tor you 10 case OF sieA
noss OF misfortune vail gladly give ny
consebi 10 your marriage.
How much mopey, pspsf
Really Flossie. you are iucorrisible,
Say 5000
Ard that. With bis presen, salary, would
take Eve yesrs at least
Add you would bsve reached The sdrane'
ed age Of 23
Pretty old, papa
Yes. in the rriehborhood Of the SIRE
and yellow
I've good mind TO marry Mr. Niekle
poi.
EIcellent idea He would doubtless
settle million on you. and be sccomodat
log enough 10 die 10 month or two.
He's most old enough to die, isn't hef
Judge Somerton looked up from bis pile
OF papers and gave bis daughters speak
ing conntenance q quick examination.
There was someihipg in her manner OF
asking this question little different iiom
, usual, and the Judge was an expert 10
! detecting shades Of this kind.
Mr. Nicklepod told me one day thst Le
would give everything II be could have
me about bis house all the time, the girl
went on half laushing and half poutiug.
You would make splendid trumpeter,
Floss.
The Judges suspicious we're quite allay-
cd now, and the easiest way out OF these
annoying love complications was to treat
the matter as light as possible
Oh, my lungs are good, said Flossie;
aud / wouldn't mind singing into the
trumpet Papa Somerton, what lark
Think Of how many edifying things could
say with my back to the poor old gentle
man. could abuse him TO al the furni
ture iu the house, and he'd never be the
wiser. III consider it, papa
When woman considers, she is gener
ally safe.
At this point the Judge resumed his
search among the intricacies OF chircgra-
ply, and his daughter went on with her
busting and putting to rights. After
while the silence was again broken by the
latter.
You we're poor when you married, papap
As church mouse, FIossie.
Why did you do it'
Because l didn't know any better.
But you and mamma we're very happy?
Florence, and now the kindly, middle
aged man brought his hand down hard up.
on bis desk, il had waited until l had
saved some money your mother would be
alive now. 1t was hardship aud poverty
that sowed the seeds.of fatal disease.
In three years, Flossie, there were two
children born to us, My salary was quite
inadequate for oil the added expenses
Then came frettings aud heartaches, and
six mouths illness of my own. We suf-
fered as none can understand save those
who have bad similar experiences. Your
mother was Is, Flossie. She should not
bave married at that age. Our love was
all right, but our marriage at that time
was fatal mistake. Now you know why
| advise you as l do.
Long after the Judge had left the house
the saddening effect of his words remain
ed, but youth is unable to remain very |
long in the shadow OF another's grief.
and so after while Miss Florence doffed
her sweeping cap, put away her sad
thoughts and went out into the garden.
1t was warm April day, and shrubs and
grass we're responding in their brightest
manner to natures caressng invitation.
Such day was too much for Flossie. She
conld scarcely have been sad under any
provocation, but look at the bright, sun
ny face and the sparkling brown eyes was
enough to convince one that the spirit OF
mischief was exceedingly strong within
her. Her coquettish garden hat was posed
at the exact angle for becomingness, and
her plump little figure, arrayed 10 dress
she bad cut and made with her own fair
hands, WAS one to be looked after and ad-
mired by every lover OF harmony. There
was gate leading from the Judges gar
den to that OF his millionaire neighbor, the
latter being possessed OF that genial and
generous disposition which likes to share
its pl, s,ures With others. Mr.. Nicklepod,
who was found Of working with his aow'
ers, spent much OF bis time 10 his large
hothouses, and tbither the yonng woman,
humming and singing, betook herself.
Mr. Nicklepods eartrumpet reposed by
tue side Of bed OF carnation pioks, while
its osuer busted himself with some or ,nge
trees further 90.
wonder how long conll stand il to
yell iuto an ear-tiumper2 the visitor soil
oluiz-d OF course could hide it when
| didut feel like talking. But then sup
pose he'd be making signs aud feces at
me, and | should have 10 make signs aud
faces al bin, and that would he worse :
than the trnnpei. With this the Judges :
daughter seized the somewhat formidable.
looking instrument and went TO meet her ,
friend.
Why, Blossom, good morning, said the
millionaire, headily. Nobody but you
ever thinks TO bring me my trumpet
And aoboiy but me would ever think
OF bypothecsting your trumpet. said the
naus sb,y girl under ber breath.
How, ycur PSI Mr. Sicklepod coniinn
ed 4.
Quite well, bat little cross, said Flor
ence beudipg over the "porrinser" ~ she
called IL hope you are not cross, Mr.
Sicklepodf
Tga sufts daenersd sbaut the Girls d