Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1890-06-12

49, AA2 1AAAAA
kittens Picnic saved from drowning,
making a little we'll, from which the
canary drew buckets OF water. And
Picnic and the old man would wander
OF TO the riverside, where he would
fish, seldom catching any thing, and
she would read or knit.
None Of the family knew Of these in.
timacieS. Belle. older than Phcmie by
six years, preferred that she should con-
slider herself a child until Miss Norris
was married. And Aunt Marcia de-
tested her for her resemblance TO the
sister-in-law who had never been con
genial
No one in the house knew. but some
one not OF the household did, and shared
a. times in them.
Sometimes, when the old mans rod
dangled over the water, a younger
angler would take his place near him
a handsome young fellow with black hair
and the brightest eyes in the world:
and then the hour went By like hours
In a dream. and Picnic felt happy a.
she had felt when a child BY her
mothers side. And Uncle Bill laughed
AMI told fshermen's stories. As for the
yuung man. silent or laxative. he was
always charming. 30 thoEght Picnic.
SIC was seventeen; she had never had a
Lover. She was wcll-read in romantic
lore. What happened was only e be
etpected In a little while two lovers
sat beside old Uncle Bill on the banks
% the pretty stream. and walked to-
e~ther a. far as the little gate in the
h-dg- that nobody else used. and did
parted with a kiss
Fred Howard vas not a fashionable
man. only the son Of 4 poor widow who
bad made a b~ook-kecpcr Of her hoy.
What holidays he had. be spent a.
home. This was his midsummer vaca-
ton; he vas bright and good and hand
some. but Mr.. Norris surely would have
bad other views for his youngest daugh-
ter.
And 80. N day. a the two. having
u~t accidentally on the road. we're talk
ing together. with an expression on
either face that made an old eountrv
lady, who drove past. remarked % her
husband. Hiram. take my word for it,
theu-'s beaus.- Mr.. Norris marched up
behind the pair. and appeared like a very
forid ghost between them. with an.
Il was not aware. NJ. Howard, tha;
you had ever been introduced to my
daughter
The young man blushed. but an
svered; But ! have, sir-by my friend,
her uncle
.Oh~- -arIfaF NJ N-- ,-o-
his tore a little. Then you know my
brother. Mr.. Whipple Norris. in the
city? He is a relative I am proud Of
worth half a million il he is a cent
Il have often heard Of Mr.. Whipple
Norris replied the young man. frank
"; but have never met him. owe
my introduction q Miss Picnic Norris
Ia her Uncle William-ah-ah-T the
Young nan suddenly remembered that
he did not know Uncle Bits last name.
Her Uncle William repeated Mr..
Norris "Euphemia, does young How
ard allude TO your poor mothers unfort-
innate brother Bill2'
Picnic bowed her head.
Young Howard repeated Mr.. Nor
ris. That person has no authority 10
introduce my daughter Consider your
self 3 stranger to her h~enceforth.~
Picnic looked az Fred. Fred looked
at Picnic.
1t is too late. sir the latter said.
Il love your daughter. and have won
her heart. She has promised to be my
wife"
Mr.. Norris stared at him. lifted his
eyebrows; stared again through his
double eye-glass. and spoke sternly:
Il have one daughter who is 4 credit
to me. Lord McTab paid great atten-
tion to her last winter. He has written
TO ask my consent to their nuptials,
which shall give. and he will return
in the fall to be married to her. An En-
glish nobleman would hardly like a
brother-in-law who makes, PERHAPS.
twenty dollars a week. Ny eldest
daughter, Mrs. Timpkins Trotter, has
married a gentleman who is esteemed
the wealthiest man in Mineville. Ny
son is with my brother in New York;
man / am proud of. Now. / shall never
make a fuss about Picnic. | only tell
you this: IL she marries you | disown
her. You can take her If she chooses.
shall never give her a penny. She
may have her clothes and trinkets. and
go. Ii b obeys me, she shall be, mar
ried or single, we'll provided for. She
Is plain and unprepossessing; but know
a young clergyman who will attain emf
hence, who only needs my permission to
propose. She might do very we'll with a
proper portion for him. She has a thick
waist a large mouth and ordinary
features continued Mr.. Norris. turn
ing his eye-glass on his daughter:
but a clergyman should act hook for
beauty
"She is the prettiest girl | know. and
il | may earn her bread and butter
can do it said Fred Howard. You
give her TO me. sir?'
No replied Mr.. Norris. '.She NAV
give herself to you if she chooses to be
a beggar."
Then he walked away.
As Picnic and Fred stood looking at
each other old Uncle Bills head arose
above the shrubbery.
Il give my permission" he said. with
more than usual dignity; land | am
her mothers brother. / think you will
make her happy, young Fred Howard"
The maiden aunt and the sister. who
was to be the bride of an English noble
mar, led Picnic a sad life OF it for
awhile; but n morning she walked
out of her home in her simple church
going costume and was married in the
little chapel of ST. John. Old Uncle