The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-06-29
MRS. COOPER'S NIECE.

"Philp," said old John Briggs to his
son, "you are rs years old to-day"
"So the family record saws, father"
responded the elegant young gentleman
addressed az am disposed to place
implicit reliance upon it."
You have done nothing since you
left college but kill time
at is only retaliation III advance, sir.
Some day or other the old gentleman
with the scalp lock'and scythe will kill
me-"
"You are too fippant. Since your
Aun. Priscilla left you S. 900 year
you have done nothing but spend the
money. Your income ought to be
enough for a single man, but you draw
on me too"
'1'll try to draw on you less, sir"
at is not that, Philip. You are quite
welcome to check now and then, for
| know that you neither game nor
revel, and | don't mind your horses,
your club, your natural history craze,
nor your luxurious tastes. But still you
spend more money and get less for il
than NEST young men OF Jour age have
too much, in fact
"I don't find it too much, sir. In
fact, was thinking what graceful
thing it would be if you were to double
it, mere trlfle to a gentleman of your
| means. | have to use most pitiful
economy, | assure you"
"Oh, that's it, eh2 Well, there is a
| mode TO increase it very much. You
nave heard me speak OF Philander
Sprigg, Ct New York ?"
"Money lender and skinfllnt? have
heard of hlm."
Nonsense, Philip. He is quite a
worthy as well as very wealthy man,
and if ne prefers to invest ready none,
in short loans what OF that? lend my
money, or some of it, sometimes"
"But not at cent per cent.
"No matter. I'don't propose thai
you shall borrow of him. He has an
only child, daughter, who will inherit
all his vast property, just as you will
mine,"
| "Does she shave notes, father?"
"Phil, be kind enough not to indulge
in chaff. She is young, handsome, vel
educated and has good tastes"
well, father, you are not so old. and
since you admire her so much, see nc
reason why"
"Stop your nonsense and listen
Spriggs and | had talk over it when ]
was in New York, and we concluded II
| you two come together, to chip in
equally ard settle half million OH you
on your wedding day. With what you
have you Il do well enough for awhile
"But," demurred Philip, 81 don't
like Spriggs for father-in- law"
"Stuff! You don't marry Spriggs."
"And the name. Just think of it
Spr-r-lggs p
"What of that2 With marriage the
name is changed. don't think she'll
gain much by 1t. Spriggs-Briggs.
] Six of one and a halt dozen of the
other"
"I'd like to oblige you. father. l
suppose l must marry some day, but it
will be some one | love, and lhen Phil
adelphia like, | insist on woman oi
good family
"See here, Phil" exclaimed the
father, who by this time was at white
heat, "you never knew me to break my
word. | merely ask you to marry for
your own good. l point out wife in
every way suitable to you. Marry to
please me, and l will not only start you
fairly in life now, but leave you all !
have when am gone. Marry to sui,
some foolish fancy of your own, and
I'll-yes, I'll found an asylum for idiots
Now you understand me-" And Briggs
marched off, leaving his son to his med
itations.
at l stay here" said Philip to him
self, 'father and will qurrel. Better
give the dear old gentleman chance
to cool off. I'll ruralize a little.
"That afternoon Philip packed {
portmanteau, and with a fishing rod anc
mineral hammer, started off to Mont
gomery county, where an old college
mate of his had married and settled
and whom he had long promised tC
visit. When he arrived there he learned
that Boudinot and his wife had gone Il
Long Branch for the season, and thei
servants with them, the house being il
charge of caretaker. Philip heard o
good fishing in a stream four miles off
and concluded to try It. He fount
lodging at farmhouse near the place
owned by man named Seth Cooper
But neither that day nor that weel
did he see any woman other than Mrs
Cooper or the hired girl.
| As he sat upon the veranda one after
noon debating the matter, wagon wa
driven up the lane and stopped at th'
door. Lightly out stepped youni
woman in neat travelling dress, AMI
the driver followed her with a larg
trunk, under which he staggered. burl
as he was. Mrs. Cooper came from
the kitchen and exclaimed: "Why
it's Gwenny, | declare !'
"You dear old Aunty Ruth l' said tn
new conner, hugging and kissing tn
farmers wife. 81 came to have goo
| ,ip,a tor n month ~
"And SO you shall, my DEAR" was tn