Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1890-11-27
THE ELOPEMENT;
Or, Pride and Wealth W.. Persevering
Poverty.
BY GEORGE WILLIAMS.

6rrOgHub5 CQnSClenC6leSS man. ne nau
emigrated to the little village of Green
town, in California, when suckers with
plenty of money which they had in
herited, roamed promiscuously about
like sheep waiting for a big, red
butcher The big red butcher came in
the shape of Sam Slick. When ha
struck Greentown he had nothing but
large wad of experience and pack Of
cards, but by judiciously managing the
suckers he soon accumulated money
enough to start sort of one-horse
bank, which soon developed into the
First National.
Along with his banking business he
added mining and stock raising. This
diversified business proved so lucrative
that ii soon placed old Sam first among
the wealthy men in that locality.
Although surrounded by all the
Injuries of life, Sam Slick was not
happy. Domestic infelicity had come
to mar the peaceful serenity of his life.
He was often heard to say that he didn't
care how rich one was, one could not be
happy when ones family was in con-
tinual state of Eruption.
The present trouble with Sam was
that his daughter wanted to marry a
penniless young Doctor that did the
setting, unjointing and general healing
of Greentown. He had nothing in par
ticular against the young man, but
what bothered Sam was to think that.
after striving SO hard to raise himself
above the ordinary herd financially, his
daughter was about to marry an impe-
cunious doctor, just as if she did not
have rich father.
So far Sam had not been troubled much
personally about the proposed match.
But as New Years approached the
young M. D., nerved himself up to the
interrogation point and went down to
the Slick mansion to determine what
his fate was to be. He little thought il
would be adverse to his hopes and aspi-
rations. He walked up the front step
with steady tread and rang the door
bell. Bridget Du Bung, the French
Mr.. Slick, who stood with coat-tails
spread to the fire.
-"Well," exclaimed Mr.. Slick, "what
is it,"
"Well-er-er-that isl was going
to say that-er-that it was fine day."
answered the Doctor, who had been to-
tally unneryed by the old mans abrupt
| manner.
well, we'll" said Sam. eff it strains
your larynx like that to tell about the
weather, wonder it don't choke you
to death in giving patient alittle med
ical advice"
"The fact is" said the young man.,
regaining his composure, II did not
come here to discuss the state of the
weather, but to get your views upon a
much more important matter; I came.
sir, to solicit your daughters hand in
marriage"
@You presumptuous scoundrel, how
dare you?" exclaimed the old
man in towering rage; "you,
who have nothing to call your own but
an abnormal appetite and little
threadbare practice! This is the way
my dignity is to be imposed upon, is
it? you Insignificant knight of Ayre's
Pills! You-you-"
But here the old mans abuse was cut
short by the young man suddenly sit
ting down on the old mans toe while
the old man walked out of doors.
What success, Cecil?" called sweet
| feminine voice from behind some lilac
bushes, as the young NJ d. rushed
madly through the garden toward his
humble abode.
Success, nothing" answered he; "you
have got the meanest dad in sixteen
States"
"Ho, Cecil, don't be so hasty; you
know papa is so nervous.
"Yes, should say he was. He has
just finished nervously kicking me out
of doors. But, Maud" added Cecil,
calming himself, "there is no hope OF
ever getting your fathers consent, SO
the only way to accomplish
the great end which we have
in view is to HE us away
to some secluded preacher where we
can have the connubial sentence pro-
nounced without fear of any man.
"An elopement! O. isn't that splen-
did" exclaimed Maud, gleefully clap.
ping her hands.
SO it was arranged right there that
J. Cecil should be on hand the next night
1 at 2 o'clock sharp, and rescue his be-
X IOVGu lEULu VIC ScCUuu StOIy WluuOW 10y
means of q ladder.
n After all arrangements had been made
for the coming event the two lovers
gave each other parting smack, and
then sought their respective pouches.
The next night Cecil was on hand
according TO agreement. Upon enter,
ing the garden he pulled out his watch,
and, noting that it lacked ten minutes
of twelve, he thought he would recon
hotter little to see il the coast was
clear. Satisfying himself that every
thing was all right-having failed to
see the old man. who was standing in
the shadow Of the house, he climbed
TO the top OF the ladder and was i'm.
mediately admitted by his sweetheart.
well. Maud. you see that BY little
perseverance, we are ready TO launch
ourselves out on the great sea Of bliss, "
said Cecil.
Little did they think that the
old man, concealed behind q tree, had
! overheard all they had said the previ