The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-05-26

! repoSed by tho side OF bed OF carnaIlOn-
pinks, while its owner busted himself with
come orange-trees further on.
Il wonder how long / could stand it to yell
into an ear-trumpet2' the visitor solilo-
quized. ''Of course l could hide it when l
didn't feel like talking. But then | suppose
he'd be making signs and faces at me, and
should have to make faces and signs at him,
and that would be worse than the trumpet"
With this the judges daughter seized the
somewhat Notwithstanding instrument
and went to meet her friend.
'Why, Blossom, good morning said the
millionaire, heartily Nobody but you ever
thinks to bring mo my trumpet"
"And nobody but me would ever think Of
| hypothecating your trumpet" said the
naughty girl, under her breath.
"How's your par' Mr.. Nicklepod con-
tinued.
"Quite well, but little cross" said
Florence, bending over the ''porringer" as
she called it, II hope you are not cross, Mr..
Nicklepod3"
The smile deepened about the girls mouth
as she wondered what must have been her
expression of countenance when giving ut
terance to these words. She felt it to be
the most designing speech Of her life
"Cross with youH" protested the old man.
gallantly; impossible. l can't believe the
/ judge is ever cross, Blossom; but if he is,
you can run right away to my house any
time, and you shall have any thing you
want as long as you live"
81 seem to be travelling by lightning ex-
press. and on the locomotive at that" said
| the mink, soto Voce. ''But what would papa
do?" she asked of the trumpet
'You will be leaving him some time, 1
suppose, Blossom?"
Eyes, in about fifty years." said the girl
to herself.
"And you see, child Mr. Nicklepod went
on, cit would be very handy for your pa if
he only had to come next door to see you"
Il never thought of that" said Flossie ;
''and guess I'll come" she said aloud, and
then to herself; Il wish I dared ask him
| how long he thinks he is going to live"
give a good mind to take you at your
word, Blossom. I'm pretty old man, but
hearty yet, and there is one thing haven't
forgot, and that's how to treat women folks.
I'm very lonesome old duffer, too, with all
my money, child.
"rhe back gate would be real convenient
for papa, wouldn't it!n said Flossie into the
trumpet and in tone which was Just on
the edge of a sob. But by what gate could
Jack come in:' was the next thought, and
now the sob was softly shattered, and the
April tears fell in binding mist.
Blossom, what's the matter!n said the
old man, with real concern. st can't be
possible that the judge has really been
cross enough to make you cry?"
80, no, indeedr said Flossie. 81 was
thinking how nice it would be to have all
the flowers | wanted
"You could have had those at any time"
was the somewhat disconnected response.
eyes, Mr.. Nicklepod'- was deter
mined to be honest even in the hour of her
greatest deceit-'and all the money"
The scanned and wrinl1led face took on a
grave expression, and the old head shook a
little at the mention of this word.
"Money isn't every thing, Blossom" he
said, Money won't provide me with ears
or keep the rheumatism out of my knees or
the loneliness from my heart. But you
shall have money. Now go and tell John to
cut all the flowers you want, and then run
home and tell your pa of my offer. 1 think
you had both BETTER come in and take din
ner with me tonight, and Wen talk it all
over"
HE doesn't act particularly hilarious,
seems to me-" said Flossie, as she turned
away. But I'm engaged anyway-plighted
to an 0ctogenarian, or centurian, or some
thing of that kind. Jack'll hate me, of
course; but when he finds | have done it for
his sake he'll have to relent. If | don't have
but a million, that will be better than
scraping and twisting for years to save five
thousand dollars. Papa always said that
riches would be very becoming to me- Poor
papa! Poor jack"
When the judge returned to his home,
about three o'clock that afternoon, he was
much surprised to find his daughter reclin-
ing upon the library-lounge with her head
tied up.
Whats the matter, Flossie! What is it
smells so!n
"Vinegar, papa. I've had Mysteries, and
this is the reaction"
II hope you are not getting cranky, and
weak and nervous, like the girl of the
period, Floss"
II am not getting any thing, papa; I've
got-Iive got all l want, and more than [
want; and nothing that l want. I've got
old Mr.. Nicklepod and his ear-trumpet for
my future husband, papa and there's mil
lions in it; but Whereof, where is Jacl1?'
For moment the judge stood as if petri-
fed, and then burst into perfect torrent of
laughter. At this point the vinegar band
age was discarded, and the prospective mil
| lionairess came to a sitting position.
'Isn't it funny9 Isn't it very funny?" she
remarked, with flashing eyes "But you are
responsible for it, with your talk about five
THOUSAND dollars. went deliberately into
Mr.. Nicklepod's, and made him propose to
me. 1 was bound to settle it to-day. And
now, papa, will you break the news to Jack
| We are to dine with the ear-trumpet to-
| night, and then ereunt parties and dances,
with Jack so handsome and lovely in his
full-dress suit, and enter long-sleeved
gowns and old age without ears"
you'll have ears enough for BOTH" said
the judge. 'rhey seem to have grown
| longer since morning"
"But, papa, Mr.. Nicklepod is certainly
over eighty isn't heP'
"Flossie, what have you been doingI"
"Truly, papa, just what l said. o, dear
me, how my head aches. Mercy! how my
heart achesr'
upon my word l thought better OF
Nicklepod," said the judge to himself
awhile afterwards. But pity the man
young, old or -agod-who gets my
Floss!" and then the judge laughed again
though there was touch of something be.
sides merriment in his heart.
That evening the millionaire was at his
best Carefully dressed and "valeted," as
Flossie remarked, he looked much younger
than when in his garden or on the street.