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

! them 10 20. 80 very far on, either. be add
ed. undcr bis breath.
] Perhaps, but Blossom wouldn't be on
Of that kind Ne, indeed. am sure o
D Blossom.
The Judge shook his bead "sidewsys'
. that time u seemed an involuntar,
! movement
. Can't you circumlocute TO how old be is
psps' said naughty Flossie.
! | was telling Neishbor Davis, this morn
ing. the host began as II in answer TO hel
, question. that really look older than
am, being only ~ last week,
You are 10 for it, the Judge remarked,
IS the speaker paused moment to fll bis
glass. Feel Of your ears, Floss. and learn
for yourself il they haven't grown.
My father, Mr.. Nicklepod resumed,
lived to be SO and then died from m scci
dent My mother was In her Goth year
when she passed ewav. In fact. we are a
very long lived race, though We seem to
age early.
According to precedent. twenty years at
least. said the Judge.
The reason / haven't never married
again, the millionaire went on. is because
| could never bring myself to believe that
anyone whom cared for could ever care
for me; and to have q wife whose constant
wish was for my death would be rather
bard lines -eh, Blossom?
Blossom managed to nod her head, but
her face was turned away from her host,
and her father was surprised to see how
pale it was.
Why are you like Caesars wife3 the lat
ter managed to ask, in bis old joking man
ner II Flossie lost her grip at this crisis
the consequences would be more dramatic
than he cared to contemplate. But happi
ly the change from the dining room to the
beautiful library caused change in the
conversation, and the victim Of her owD
folly had chance to recover herself. 1t
was long. strange evening, and one to be
remembered while life lasted. The two
men played checkers, while the girl guest
wandered about among the books and
pictures, stealing occasionally into the
great drawing rooms, and coming back
again as white and scared as il she had
seen gost.
viii it be lonely for you BlossomP the
old gentleman asked, as she returned from
one OF these excursions. I've been think
ing, he added, without waiting for an an
swer, that it'll make things about right II
can persuade your pa to come, too. He
has no one but you, and then ! need some
business help, and it would be a hearten-
ing thing to have true friend at hand
Oh, dearl he is going to marry us both,
muttered Flossie
What do You say, Judge2 Mr.. Nickle-
pod went on, Suppoee you try it for
year2 There is no reason why this house
cannot be home to you both in the truest
sense Of the word. Do take pity on me,
neighbors, for believe l am the lone
soonest old vagabond in the whole world
Judge Somerton, wish was dead, said
Flossie; and then, seizing the trumpet,
she said in broken tones: Mr.. Nicklepod,
you are an old angel. and papa don't
know what to say, and am in just as bad
state. I'd love to live here with all these
beautiful things, and with you, so kind
and generous, and SO would papa-that is,
II he has single sense left. Aud l made
up my mind would live here, just be-
cause loved Jack--you know Jack-and
he hadn't any money, and be couldn't mar
ry me in ten ages
For mercys sake, Floss, the Judge put
in imploring, don't be simpleton.
It's begun, and it has got to come, was
the girls quick answer.
And, Mr.. Nicklepod, thought some
time could take Jack lot OF money
that is il he would wait for me-and ] |
didn't see how could really do you any
harm that is, il You we're truly fond OF
me.
You are an honest. blessed girl. said
the old man brushing away tear. and
am truly fond Of you, and truly desirous
to promote your best interests Bnt, Bios
som, would no sooner marry you than !
would kill you. Such a wicked thought
has never crossed my mind. You shall
have two fathers, Blossom, and you shall
have Jack, too; but not TO marry him nov
because you are not old enough, and Jacl
hasn't had chance to show what kind OF
stuff there is 10 him yet. Five years from
now, il he proves worthy, you shall go to
him with dowry. Then we will have the
joliest wedding that ever was, and | will
dance with the bride.
For moment there was utter silence IN
the room, aud then Flossie lifted her right
hand and with q characteristic movement
Of her little fore-fuger, sail into the
trumpet:
You two men hsye had your heads to
gether. That is as plain as the nose on
your face, giving her fathers nasal organ
! little twesk. But, papa Nicklepoi.
Judge Somerton and bis daughter will l.
With you anon. and the way you will hay
10 stand around and mind the housekeep
sr will be caution.
All right. said Nicklepod; give me kiss,
md do wish could tell you how happy
rou have made me.
Tue kiss was given, aud it was no dis
grace 10 Flossie that her eyes overlooked |
with tears.
A funny incident Of 3 Quaker funeral !