Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1889-08-01
The Test Of Character.
BY HORATIO ALGER, JR.


ment this morningpn
Certainly, my dear. am at your
command now," and he led the way
into the room.
He handed his niece to an arm chair,
and took seat opposite her.
Uncle" said Julia, with little be-
coming confusion, II have received an
Offer
"Whewm exclaimed her uncle, that |
is coming to the point with VEN
geance.n
"And l wish to consult you as to ac-
cepting it or not"
"A very sensible resolution. May
know my dear, from whom the offer
has been received?'
Edward Fitzroy."
You haven't known him very
long"
"Not-very," said Julia slowly.
But you think you know all about
him, | dare say. Are you very much
in love with him?"
Not desperately" answered Julia,
smiling. AT the same time | confess
that am strongly prepossessed in his
favor
And this prepossession is likely to
become warm sentiment. Well, my
little niece, as you have requested my
advice, | will give it. | do not object
to this lover of yours. Indeed know
nothing against him. But then, |
know too little of him at any rate to be
able to form deliberate opinion of
his character. If mistake not, this
is also your case. Now, it is my theO-
ry that no woman ought to marry I'M
less she is sufficiently well acquainted
with her intended husband to have a
pretty confident assurance of leading
happy life with him. l therefore
counsel you to delay giving your ans
wcr for month, and in that time
will contrive to become better &C
Quainted with him."
Your advice is good,n said Julia,
lana | will follow it,
Thank yOu," said her uncle, kindly,
''for the confidence you have reposed
in my judgment. | sincerely hope
that the young man will prove to be
all that we can DESIRE"
Edward Fitzroy was in business in
the netghboring city. He had en-
parked a small property Inherited
from his father in u dry goods estab-
lishment on Washington street, and
havinga good business tact. was driv-
ing a fourishing trade. His acquaint-
ance with our heroine had commenced
during a summer residence at the viii
lage which she made her home. 1t
was not strange that he should have
been attracted by Julia. Her gaiety,
vivacity, and beauty made her gencr-
ally admired, and had anything else
been requisite, the reputation OF being
her uncle's heiress would have pro-
cured her suitOrs. But it is not neces-
bary to dwell farther on this point of
our story. We are interested to learn
bow Uncle Henry's plans succeeded.
He first made cautious inquiries rel
alive to the young mans business
standing, all of which were answered
satisfactorily. But this did not satisfy
him. He wanted to see for himself.
Accordingly he purchased a suit of
clothes so different from that which he
was accustomed to wear, that with q
pair OF green goggles superadded, he
felt convinced would disguise him suf-
fciently for his purpose Thus attired
he lounged into the store, and inquired
for some trihing article. He was pur-
posely very slow in being suited. Mean
while, he watched with some attention
the DcuflilS VI TlJLtDS, WHO WAS ITdu-
ing with STANDARDIZATION lady at
more polite and obsequious than the
conduct of the young tradesman. With
unwearied assiduity he took down from
the shelves and displayed large stock
Of merchandise, until the fastidiOus
taste of the lady was at length suited.
''He is attentive to his customers
thought Uncle Henry. That is good
sign. But perhaps it may be simply
because she is rich and fashionable.
Here is customer Of different kind.
Let me see how he treats her.
At this moment a woman very poor
ly dressed with a worn and weary cX.
preston, as if she were better cquaint-
ed with the dark than the bright side
Of life, entered the street door and ad.
vanced to the counter. The afable
smile which Fitzroy had worn in his
interview with his last customer disap-
peared, and in its place was seen a su,
percilious glance.
81 would like to look at some cali
Goes said the customer.
Here are some" SAID Fitzroy curt
ly, pointing TO pile which lay upon
the counter
He did not stir from his position, bu
gazed at the won IN with an air tina
seemed to indicate how utterly indiffer
emit he W S TO her patronage.
"Will you show me some of them?'
asked the woman, mildly.
There they are ma'am; you can Sc,
them for yourself"
What is the price of thi 50" she in
CURED, looking at the one W hich lay a
the top
sSNinnnanna :
Il don't altogether like the figure,
she said, after pause.
'Don't you?'' returned Fitzroy, IN
differently.
The customer began TO examine som
of the other prints. OF course, in do
ing so, she was obliged to disarrang,
them somewhat.
"Don't pull them all to pieces sal
Fitzroy, rudely. There isn't muc
difference in them. You'd better tax
the first that comes How much do yo
want?n
Ten yards"
''Well, you had better let me cut
of quick, as l cln't stand waiting o
one customer all day.
Thus importuned, the woman hastil,
indicated one OF the prints, and the n
quired quantity was measured of
Change was hastily made and the W,
man departed. Her place was take
by wealthy lady like the first, tn
rustic of whose silk proved an immed
ute passport TO the good graces OF th
young merchant
II don't like that" thought Uncl
Henry. who had not been unobser'
ant OF this little scene "He has Z