Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-02-22
PAPA'S OLD FRIEND.
The Story of John Graham's Last
Days as a Bachelor.

1t was a cold night. I drew my
chair closer to the blazing fire, and
rested my feet on the fender, and
gazed with satisfaction at the mini:,-
ture reflection Of my comfortable room
in the polished knobs Of the andirons.
Comfortable! Yes, that expressed it
well. 1t might have b ZEN called ele-
giant had there been a woman's hand
to add the graceful finish which q
bachelors apar' ment always lacks, no
matter how handsome or costly its
furniture may be. However, ! felt
well-con ented with my quarters, and
in spite of forty years, few gray
hairs, and a rapidly-increasing ten
dency to badness, knew that hand
some face and COOL income were things
that no ratio al woman would despise;
so had put off the evil day of slavery
from one year to another, and enjoyed
my liberty, my club, and it may b, al
50 my solitude, too much to be in haste
to take upon my shoulders the respon-
sibilities Of married life.
But on this memorable evening there
had come a letter from my father. The
dear old man said he was failing Ca
mere notion of his), and his one wish
was to see his only son marri d AMI
Sc, tied before he departed this life. Il
was only fair that I >hould humor this
fancy of one who had gratited
ev'ry wish Of mine since
was ab'o to ask for any thing,
so I sat there n,using and maxi
ing up my mimi tina: the time to sac
ritice my freedom had come. Per-
haps wear hence I would have to
give up my evening smoke; certainly
l would not be allowed to lounge
about in my smoking jacket and slip
pers, and put my feet on the fender.
The thought gave finer flavor to my
cigar and a greater air of coziness to
the room.
Ihad also intended to marry, but l
thought of it only as duty to be per-
formed some time in the dim future, a
long way of. However, the time had
now come, so it was best to have it
over quickly Ipassed in review the
women of my acquaintance. from
blu hing debutantes to those who had
seen nearly as many seasons as my
self, but my heart beat no faster as.
one after another. recalled their
faces. The clock on tho mantcl
struck nine, and with sigh l took
my feet from the fender. stretched
myself, gave a last look at tho roar
ing logs. and passed into my dressing
room. This will be Il good opportuni-
ty, thought of singing out what
sort of woman will be likely to make
me most co mfortable, and least likely
to upset my bachelor habits. I.gave
well-satisfed look at my face in the
glass as I brushed my hair. Few
women would say nay to such a re-
Election, joined to solid bank &C.
count.
A debutante, or woman of sense?
There wavered. Would it be best to
take girl whom could form, or a
woman of the world who would not
exrect too muchp Such, for instance,
as Mrs. A.. for whose ball was
dressing-a charming little widow of
three-and-thlrty, or thereabouta BY
the time was dressed and ready to
start it was after ten. and debutantes
were in the ascendant. The first thing
was to pick out the one. fancied, and
then to pay her marked attention. l
smiled, thinking how pleased the dear
old man would be to know how soon
all would be settled. Strains If a waltz
greeted me as reached my destina-
ton, and I hurried down stairs from
the dressing-room eager to begin
tour of inspection. to which my late
resolve lent q novel zest. My hostess
greeted me most cordially; it seemed