Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1888-06-13
The stutw Teller.
OLD MR.. NICKLEPOD.
BY ELEANOR KIRK.

BY ELEANOR KIRK.
81 haven't the slightest objection to
Jack, my dear, and when he has saved
money enough to provide for you in case
of sickness or misfortune, I will gladly
give my consent to your marriage"
elbow much money, papa?"
'sReally, Flossie, you are incorrigible.
Say five thousand dollars"
'And that, with his present salary,
would take five years at least"
''And you would have reached the ad-
vaneed age Of twenty-three."
"Pretty old, papa"
eyes, in the neighborhood of the sere
and Yellow"
''I've good mind to marry Mr.. Nick
lepod." .,o..
settle million ON you, and be accommo-
dating enough to die in q month or two"
"He's most old enough to die, isn't he ?"
Judge Somerton looked up from his pile
of papers, and gave his daughters speak
ing countenance q quick examination.
There was something in her manner OF
asking this question little different from
usual, and the Judge was an expert in de-
tecting shades of this kind.
s'Mr. Nicklepod told me one day that he
would give anything if he could have me
about his house all the time," girl went
on, half laughing and half pouting.
ssYou would make splendid trumpeter,
Floss"
The Judges suspicious were quite al
Iayed now, and the easiest way out fthese
annoying love complications was to treat
the matter as lightly as possible.
stOh! my lungs are good" said Flossie
''and T wouldn't mind singing into the
trumpet. Papa Somerton, what lark |!
Think of how many edifying things I
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 a woman considers, she is gen.
orally safe."
At this point the Judge resumed his
search among the intricacies OF chlrogra-
dusting and putting to rights. After
while the silence was again broken by the
latter.
"You were poor when you married,
papa" ,
''Why did you do it 2"
because didn't know any better"
"But you and mamma were very hap
"Florence, ,"and now the kindly, middle
aged man brought his hand down hard
upon his desk, ''if I had waited until |
had saved some money your mother would
be alive now. 1t was hardship and pow
erty that sowed the seeds of fatal disease.
In three years, Flossie, there were two
children born to US. My salary was quite
inadequate for all the added expenses.
Then came frettings and heartaches, and
n ,; ;llpooc of NV 0wn We S1f.
fered as none can understand save those
who have had similar experiences. Your
mother was eighteen, Flossie. She should
not have 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 dotted her
sweeping.cap, put away her sad thoughts,
and went out into the garden. 1t was
warm April day, and shrubs and grass
were responding in their brightest man
ner to Natures caressing Invitation. Such
a day was too much for Flossie. She could
scarcely have been sad under any provo
cation, but a look at the bright, sunny
face and 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 in dress she
had cut and made with her own fair hands,
was one to be looked after. and adOred by
every lover of harmony. There was gate
.leading from the Judges garden to that OF
his millionaire neighbor, the latter being
possessed of that genial and generous dis
position which likes to share its pleasures
with others. Mr.. Nicklepod, who was
fond of working with flowers, spent much
of his time in his large hothouses, and
thither the young woman, hummlng ano
ear.trumpet reposed by the side of bed
of carnation pinks, while its owner busi-
ed himself with some orange trees further
on.
81 wonder how long could stand it to
veil into an ear-trumpet?" the visitor So
liloouized. "Of course I could hide it
when didn't feel like talking. But then
I suppose he'd be making signs and faces
at me, and I 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 formidable
looking instrument and went to meet her
friend. =.
"Why, Blossom, good morning" said
the millionaire, heartily. Nobody nut
you ever thinks to bring me my trumpet"
"And nobody but me would ever think
of hypothecating your trumpet" said the
naughty girl, under her breath.
"How's your pa ?" Mr.. Nicklepod con-
tinued.
"Quite we'll, but little cross" said
Florence, bending over the "porringer"
as she called it. 81 hope you are not cross,
Mr.. Nicklepod?"
The smile deepened about the girls
mouth as she wondered what must nave
been her expression Of countenance when
giving utterance to these words. She felt
it to be the most designing speech OF her
life. -,
"Cross With youw protested the old
man, gallantly; impossible. can't De-
lieve fhe Jndpe is ever cross, Blossom !;
but if he is. YOU can run right away to my
house any time, and you shall have every
thing YOU want as long as you live"
II seem to be travelling by lightning eX,
press, and on the locomotive at that" SAID
the mink, sotto voice. "But what would
papa do?" she asked of the trumpet.
'You will be leaving him sometime, 1
suppose, Blossom?" =,
"Yes, in about fifty years" said the girl
to herself.
"And you see, child" Mr.. Nicklepod
went on, "it would be very handy for your
pa if he only had to come next door TO
see you"
II never thought of that" said Flossie;
"and I guess I'll come" she said aloud,
and then to herself, 81 wish dared ask
him how long he thinks he is going to
live"
"I've good mind to take you at your