The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1890-01-02

1hd1 a murder had been committed
was conveyed. 1t was a matter for a
bit OF court-plaster, after all; but a
lifelong friendship was over forever:
and it was conceded on both sides that
Debbie and must break with each
other.
Upon the mountain, where the blue
berries were to be next summer. we
met for the last time. The ashes of
the tree we had first kissed under were
all blown away, and only a grim, black
stump remained to tell where it once
stood Debbie was very pale, but very
firm.
'lt would be an insult to father if l
should marry the son of a man who
tried to kill him. she said; land MIR.
Ashton did try, Eben."
my father only resented a blow, as
any man ought" said.
"But how furiously," said Debbie;
"how brutally."
And then we quarreled, until at last
we parted, going by different ways
down the mountain, angry with each
other, as we had never thought to be.
The quarrel between the two fami-
lies changed every thing. My father
shortly found it too unpleasant to live
in such unfriendly fashion. and resolved
to move to the West. My mother felt
as glad to go as he. AS for me,
to pass Debbie in the road without
speaking had become uncomfortable.
We left the place. and in the Western
town, that grew like mushroom on
the spot that was little more than a
wilderness when we settled there,
made my fortune in business which
was the outgrowth of my surroundings,
With the best luck it takes some time
to make fortune, and by the time
was really rich had come to forty
years and passed it.
My parents were both dead, and l
had not married. had tried to fall.
in love- but could not; and, if you will
not think me puppy, will tell you
that, being a pecuniary ''catch," was
rather prosecuted. Anxious parents
with fine families of grown daughters
| flung them at my head, and the girls
themselves were not behindhaud. If
could have believed that my personal
qualities made me appear in the light
OF a prize, should have been fattered
and might have succumbed; but l knew
my money was the bait which all those
pretty fish were anxious to nibble, and
| resolved to leave the place for awhile.
The wealth that seemed SO great from
q local point of view was not an unu-
sual amount of money in New York,
where millionaires have grown com
mon, and found the great metropolis
pleasant, and made friends there.
Amongst them soon numbered an old
bachelor of literary tastes. who told
me that he had taken fancy to me.
He proved it by being very confiden-
tial.
'You are twenty years younger than
l." he said; ''but still you are of an
age when men are usually married
Perhaps you can comprehend how you
might go on for twenty years more,
and never find a woman who seemed
exactly what you wantedp"
Perfectly" said l.
snow I've had women set their caps
for me-" said he. Handsome women,
too. Perhaps you don't believe it?"
Indeed, do, said I, out of my own
experience.
''Ah, you've been there; you've been
there" said Mr.. Groton. "Well, |
couldn't respond. My fault; not theirs.
But lately I've met woman who actu-
ally does move me, but l have my
doubts. I'm afraid sha'n't be happy.
She's blue stocking"
"Ahr said /, not knowing what else
to remark.
''Im afraid of blue-stockings, said
Mr. Groton. "They are usually bad
housekeepers, / am told, and they don't
look up to one. Iwish to be looked up
to. But have great faith in you. She's
to be at Mrs. Parker's on Wednesday
evening. I'll ask to bring you. And
you could do what can't-put leading
questions; discover what her domestic
qualities are-she suspects me; II
daren't-and give me your opinion.
There is widow, very handsome
Mrs. Cromlich-that may be more suit
able. But there's a charm about my
blue-stocking. She doesn't write very
masculine books; they are about birds
and squirrels, and bees and flowers
children books. But still you'll oblige |
a friend. If you approve, I'll see her
home and offer myself on the way; if |
not, I'll ask to be the widows escort |
and propose to her. can't waste time |
at my age, and | want to settle down.
Cross-question her, pray
promised, and on Wednesday even
ing entered Mrs. Parker's parlors.
There she sits at the table, whis-
pered the bachelor. Pretty shoulders,
eh?"
nodded, for Mrs. Parker advanced,
and there was no time for words. was
II want him to know your literary
eriaud Ae a afr,aperar ha o,orb4 fo l~roxxy |