Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-05-24
OLD MIR. NICKLEP0D.
How He Provided for Flossie's
Wedding Dowry.

'I 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, l will gladly give my
consent TO your marriage
''HOw much money, papa"
'Really, Flossie, you are incorrigiOle. Say
five thousand dollars"
And that, with his present salary, would
take five years at least"
"And you would have reached the adj
varced age of twenty-three."
pretty old, papa"
ayes, in the neighborhood of the sere and
yellow"
I've a good mind to marry Mr.. Nicklepod."
Excellent idea. He would doubtless set
tie a million on you, and be accommodating
enough to die In a month or two"
Hes most old enough to die, isn't he!''
Judge SomertOn looked up from mis- 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
On. half laughing and half pouting.
You would make q splendid trumpeter,
Floss"
The judges suspicious Were 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; land
! wouldn't mind singing into the trumpet.
Papa Somerton. what a lark, Think of how
many edifying things | could say with my
back to the poor old gentleman. l could
abuse him TO all the furniture in the house.
and he'd never be the wiser. I'll consider
il, papa"
''When a woman considers, she is gen
orally safe"
Atthis point the Judge resumed his search
among the intricacics of chirography, and
his daughter went on with her busting and
putting to rights. After awhile the silence
was again broken by the latter.
You were poor when you married, papa!'
''As a church mouse Flossie."
''Why did you do it,
because didn't know any better"
''But YOU aud 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 II was hardship and poverty that
sowed the seeds of a fatal disease. In three
years, Flossle, there were two children born
tOus. Ny 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 at
all l,,t
marriage at that time was fatal mistake.
Now you know why advise you as l do
Long after the judge had leftthe 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 doffed her sweeping
cap, put away her sad thoughts, and went
out in the garden. II was warm Ayri
day and shrubs and grass were responding
in their brightest manner TO Natures carasS
ing invitation. Such day was too muct
for Flossie. She could scarcely have beer
sad under any provocation, bur a look at the
bright, sunny face and sparkling brown eve:
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 ant
her plump little figure, arrayel in a dres.
she had cut and made with her own fail
hands, was one to be looked after and ad
mired by every lover of harmony. Their,
was gate leading from the judges garden
TO that OF his millionaire neighbor. the latte
being possessed of that genial and generou:
disposition which likes to share its pleasure.
with others. Mr.. Nicklepod. who was fonI
of working with his flowers, spent much o
his time in his large hothouseS, and thithel
the young woman, humming and smiling
betook herself. Mr.. Nicklepod's ear-trumpe
reposed by the side of bed of carnation
pinks, while its owner busted himself witt
some orange-trees further on.
'.Iwonder how long could stand it to vel
into an ear-trumpet.n the visitor solilo
quized. ''Of course could hide it when
didn't feel like talking. But then l suppos
he'd be making signs and faces al me. and
should have to make faces and signs ar him
and that would be worse than the trumpet
With this the judges daughter seized tn
somewhat formidable-looking instrunen
and went to meet her friend.
why, Blossom, gcod-morning, said tn