The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-05-26
OLD MIR. NICKLEPOD.
How He Provided for Flossie's
Wedding Dowry.

81 haven't the slightest objection to Jack
my dear, and when he has saved money
enough to provide for you in case of sick
ness or misfortune, | will gladly give my
consent to your marriage"
''HOw much money, papa"
REALLY, Flossie, you are fncorrigible Say
five thousand dollars.''
"And that, with his present salary, would
take five years at least"
''And you would have reached the ad-
vanced age of twenty-three."
pretty old, papa"
YES, in the neighborhood of the sere and
yellow"
'Tvea good to marry Mr.. Nicklepod."
Excellent idea He would doubtless set
tie a million on you, and be accommodating
enough to die in month or two"
Hes most old enough to die, isn't he!'
Judge Somerton looked up from his pile of
papers, and gave his daughters speaking
countenance a quick examination. There
was something in her manner of asking this
question a little different from usual, and
the judge was an expert in detecting shades
of this kind.
Mr. Nicklepod told me one day that he
would give any thing if he could have me
about his house all the time" the girl went
Olli ileilL mug anu mall pOulllS.
''You would make a splendid trumpeter,
Floss"
The judges suspicious We're quite allayed
now, and the easiest way out of these annoy
ing love complications was to treat the mat
ter as lightly as possible.
"O,my lungs are good, " said Flossie; "and
wouldn't mind singing into the trumpet.
Papa Somerton, what a lark! Think Of how
many edifying things l could say with my
back to the poor old gentleman. could
abuse him to all the furniture in the house,
and he'd never be the wiser. I'll consider
it, papa"
when woman considers, she is gen.
orally SAFE
Atthis point the Judge resumed his search
among the intricacies of chirography, and
his daughter went on with her busting and
putting to rights. After awhile the silence
was again broken by the latter.
"Youwere poor when you married, papa?'
GAS church mouse, Flossie."
''Why did you do it!"
because didn't know any better.n
"But you and mamma were very happy
'Florence," and now the kindly, middle
aged man brought his hand down hard upon
his desk, "if | had waited until had saved
some money your mother would be alive
now. 1t was hardship and poverty that
sowed the seeds of fatal disease. In three
years, Flossle, there were two children born
to US. My salary was quite inadequate for
all the added expenses. Then came fret
tings and heartaches, and a siX-months'
illness of my own. We suffered as none can
understand save those who have had similar
experiences Your mother was eighteen,
Flossie She should not have married al
that age. Our love was all right, but oul
marriage at that time was a fatal mistake
Now you know why | advise you as | do.n
Long after the judge had left the house the
saddening effect of his words remained, but
youth is unable to remain very long in the
shadow of another's grief, and so after
awhile Miss Florence DOTTED her sweeping
cap, put away her sad thoughts, and wen
out in the garden. 1t was a warm Apri
day, and shrubs and grass were responding
in their brightest manner to Natures caress
ing invitation. Such a day was too mucl
for Flossie. She could scarcely have beef
sad under any provocation, but look at tn
bright, sunny face and sparkling brown eye
was enough to convince one that the spiri
of mischief was exceedingly strong within
her. Her coquettish garden hat was poset
at the exact angle for becomingness, ant
her plump little figure arrayed in a dres
she had cut and made with her own fai
hands, was one to be locked after and ad
mired by every lover of harmony. Their
was gate leading from the judges gardel
TO that of his millionaire neighbour the latte
being possessed of that genial and generou
disposition which likes to share its pleasure
with others. Mr.. Nichepod, who was fon