The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 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 incorrigible. 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 DID, papa"
t'Yes in the neighborhood of the sere and
yellow"
"fve goodmind 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.'
"He's most old enough to die, isn't he !"
Judge SomcrtOn 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 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 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 lark Think of how
many edifying things 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. pll 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 dusting and
putting to rights After awhile the silence
was again broken by the latter.
'Youwere poor when you married, papa"
"'As church mouse, Flossie."
|'Why did you do it,"
"'Because didn't know any better"
."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 q fatal disease. In three
years, Flossie, there were two children born
10 us. My salary was quite inadequate fol
all the added expenses. Then came fret
tings and heartaches, and six-months
illness of my own. We suffered as none car
understand save those who have had similar
experiences. Your mother was eighteen
Fiossie. She should not have married a
that age. Our love was all right, but oul
marriage at that time was fatal mistake
Nvh nd 7 do
Long after the Judge had left tho house th'
saddening effect of his words remained, bu
youth is unable to remain very long in tn,
shadow of another's grief, and so afte
awhile Miss Florence doffed her sweeping
ssp, put away her sad thoughts, and wen
out in the garden. 1t was warm Apri
day, and shrubs and grass were responding
in their brightest manner to Natures caress
ing invitation. Such day was too muc
for Flossie. She could scarcely have bee
sad under any prov0catiOn, but look at tn
bright, sunny face and sparkling brown eye
was enough to convince one that the spiri
of mischief was exceedingly strong With
her Her coquettish garden hat was pose
at the exact angle for becomingness, an
her plump little figure, arrayed in dres
she had cut and mado with her own fai
hands, was one to be looked after and ai
mired by every lover of harmony. Their
was gate leading from tho judges garde
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 fon
of working with his flowers, spent much q
his time in his large hothouses, and thithe
the young woman, humming and smiling
betook herself. Mr.. Nicklepods ear-trumpt
reposed by the side OF bed of carnatiol
pinks, while its owner busted himself wit
some orange-trees further on.
IL wonder how long could stand 1t to ye
into an ear-trumpeti" the visitor solii'
quized. "Of course could hide 1t when
didn't feel like talking. But then suppos
he'd be making signs and faces at me, and
should have TO make faces and signs ut hin
and that would be worse than the trumpet
With this tho Judges daughter seized II
somewhat formidable-looking instrumel
md went to meet her friend.
"Why, Blossom, good-morning." said u