The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1890-07-04

"Dut nave never met MN, owe my
introduction to Miss Picnic Norris to
her Uncle William-ah--ah. The young
man suddenly remembered that he did
not know Uncle Bills last name.
"Her Uncle Williaml' repeated Mr..
Norris. ''Euphemia, does young Howard
allude to your poor mothers unfortunate
brother, Billl"
Phemie bowed her head.
''Young Howard !" repeated Mr. Nor
MS. "That person has no authority to
introduce my daughter. Consider your
self stranger to her henceforth.
Picnic looked at Fred. Fred looked
at Picnic.
sit is too late, sir" the latter said.
81 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:
81 have enc daughter who is a credit
to me. Lord McTab paid great attention
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 English noble
man would hardly like a brother-in-law
who makes, perhaps, twenty dollars
week. Ny eldest daughter. Mrs. Tim
kins Trotter, has married a gentleman
who is esteemed the wealthiest man in
Mineville. My son is with my brother
in New York; man / am proud of.
Now l shall never make a fuss about
Picnic. only tell you this: If she
marries you, l disown her. You can
take her if she chooses. l shall never
give her penny. She may have her
clothes and trinkets, and go. If she
obeys me, she shall be, married or single,
well provided for. She is plain and I'M
progressing; butt know young clergy
man who will attain eminence, who only
needs my permission to propose. She
might do very well with proper portion
for him. She has thick waist, large
mouth, and ordinary features, u continued
Mr.. Norris, turning his eye-glass on his
daughter; "but clergyman should not
look for beauty"
"She is the prettiest girl know, and
if may earn her bread and butter, can
do it, p" said Fred Howard. "You give
her to me, sirl"
"No, " replied Mr.. Norris. sShe may
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.
81 give my permission, he said, with
more than usual dignity; sand 1 am her
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
man, led Picnic sad life of it for a
while; but one morning she walked out
Of her home in her simple church-going
and was married in the little
chapel of st. John. Old Uncle Bill, in
bis old-fashioned broadcloth suit, went
with them, and gave the bride away Mrs.
Howard was there, and school-friend
Of Phemie's, and fellow-clerk of Fred's.
None Of the Norris family. And after
he wedding they were to go upon a
little trip. Phemie's trunks had been
ient to Fred's mothers little house. The
pride was not as happy as she might
nave been under other circumstances, but
It home no one had ever loved or con-
iidered her since her mothers death; aud
Fred loved her, and she loved him. Her
,nly trouble was that she must leave old
Uncle Bill.
'That is hard," the old man said,
'very hard, Picnic. And then Fred
leld out his hand.
'sUncle Bill, he said, eve shall live
n very plain way, but if you will live
With US, we will do our best to make
Tou happy, and shall be happy our
elves"
'cWill you be so, boyi" cried Uncle
Bill. "a poor old man like me-ehl
eaIlylr Il
"Reallyl' cried Phemie, dancing with
oy.
s'ReaIly and truly, heaven knows"
And Fred grasped his hand and shookit
You brought US together, Uncle Bill"
lie said.
SITS lucky" answered Uncle Bill,
'for brother-in-law Norris has turned
ne out of his house for aiding and abet-
ing you-told me that L might be town
,oor if liked. didn't, but l just
aid, Very well; III CO.
''Fll get your things and take them to
said Fred. 'sYou'll be com
ANY for. her while we're gone; after
hat, one home for all of us
Then the old man looked at them with
smile; looked at Mrs. Howard with
mother, and laughed his sweet, good
Iatured laugh.
'sYou're two good, honest, generous /
he said. Sand you're Fred's {
Mother, ma'am. But I've an explanation {
0 make. Five years ago, my sister Su- ,
an heard that was sick, and at a hos
ital, and took me to her house. She
ursed me back to tolerable health, and
vas very good to me. Then, sweet an
.el, she died. She thought that being in /
O9pAeot hAOoHe pOfSAky. was paying
fly dollars a week there. | have '
fortune that even Mr.. Norris would
aspect, but seeing what he was, 1 took I
fancy that I'd find out what his chill
ren were. I've lived about the place I
S old Uncle Bill, poor relation. I
wasn't wanted, even at table 1 was ,
espised by all but Picnic. She, dear 1
title soul, has been daughter to me. 1
old sister Susan the truth on her death I
ed, and promised to do my best by this /
weet girl; and my money has been
rowing under good care for FIVE years.
Why, had been the beggar they thought (
le, I'd gone to an alms-houss rather ,