The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-04-16
A LAWYERS STORY.
How He Managed to Keep the
Property for Polly.

"You were asking about John Akin!
You had not gone to China, had you,
when his windfall came?"
'Inheriting his uncle's property, do
you mean? 1t was just before l left.
What pompous old jackass he was, to
be sure, but his daughter was little
darling"
"You are right in both statements!
Take another cigar. Buff you thought
John Akin pompous when he was
schoolmaster at Eyreville you should
have seen him after he came into pos
session of ten thousand year and his
uncle's splendid home. I've heard of
people you can't touch with forty-foot
pole,' and he was surely one of them.
Airs! To see him riding about in his
open barouche and bowling to his neigh
bors, was study of condescension for
an Emperor. And pour little Polly had
a hard time Of it."
"When didn't she have a hard
time of it? There wasn't boy in
school who didn't pity Polly, if she was
the schoolmaster's daughter. When we
were all out shouting and playing, we
could see her, buried in big check
apron, resting from Latin grammar and
Euclid by beating eggs for her fathers
buildings, or roasting herself over hot
fire cooking his chops. Why, he actual
ly let that mite Of a girl black his boots.
/ have seen her do itp'
''You never would have imagined it,
however, if you had met Miss Akin
for the first time at Akin Place. Akin
Place was what the ex-schoolmaster
called his uncle's house, as soon as it
became his own. And poor little Polly
never had harder time cooking his
chops and backing his boots than she
had in acquiring the dignity he
considered proper in his daughters
position. To see his frown when
she nodded to an old friend in
stead Of sitting stifly erect and inclin-
ing her head half an inch, was to know
something of the childs daily martyr
dom. She must never walk in the roads
or lanes-Miss Atkins carriage was al
ways at her command. She must never
wear dress in which she could romp or
run-Miss Atkins wardrobe contained
the richest silks and velvets. She must
never run out to see an old friend or in
yite one to tea-Miss Akin made for
NAL calls and gave stately entertain
ments."
Poor little Polly! 1t must have been
amusing to see the wee bright child try
ing to be grand lady"
John Akin allowed the business of
the estate to remain in my hands, and l
was q frequent visitor at the house.
But never did he come down off his
stills for me, or allow Polly to forget
one ruffle of her new dignities. Some
times, if she CHANGED to be alone, |
found the bright, unaffected Polly we
all loved, but as soon as her father en-
tered the room she froze."
She was always afraid of him.
"And yet she did defy him at last.
You remember VIII Marshall?"
well! And, bless me, he was Polly's
lover when she had not conquered the
alphabet"
And remained her lover ever after.
ihatwas the trouble
But what was the matter? He was
as hne fellow as ever breathed, and
old Marshall was richr'
:, Was rich, you see. As long as Mr..
s,afshall was one of the richest men in
she state, Polly's love affairs ran on
smoothly. Wills horse was fastened at
ue gate Of Akin Place every day, and
many an hour Polly and he spent riding
through the shady lanes about Eyre
sile Not one word of opposition was
uiaae 70 their engagement, and if Polly
s,er uia have any natural free enjoy
I nens 1t was when she was with
Wni' and away from her father.
ne, wedding cards were out,
anu Mr. Akin was preparing
~sssonlsh the country by the magnifi-
o,ac =, Oh the marriage festivities when
.n a Mr' MARSHALL suddenly became bank
.up' and committed suicide. At first it
way supposed that the wedding was
p.'sponed out OF respect to the memory
M. me brldegroom-elects father, but
i s;a, IDEA exploded very speedily. Mr..
ina a n,s ssratted about the village swell
,as with indignation at the villainv that
apauper." Vel '''o WIG
\. niess me! How long was this after
aeeeasedto be but a few removes from
apaaper himself?" '-
bo, ABOUT three years. Miss Akin. he
in tha could marry any body-the best
m M me land. But Polly did not want to
i oa. any body Her ideas on that sub
10 n "oie very positive, and she wanted
,a.r;s, rS VIII Marshall. There were
triaas e scenes. l was confidential
am vna OF all the parties, and | was
sni,;. :, 70 see what courage and
Tba l s she, timid little Polly possessed.
AikiN as lasted several months, and Mr.
ossa ia pushed forward the claims Of
persars suitors with great energy and
iute Is But Polly was as reso-
Tho ts - ne was, and one morning took
derot - 20 New York, met Will at the
he te,s su was married by noon. 1 had
he , s,sgran announcing that fact, with
Srssa asss to Please tell papa
sgIas.s Nss : liyelly scene then, I i'm