The Hot Springs star. (Hot Spings [Hot Springs], Dakota [Dakota Territory, i.e. S.D.]) 1886-189?, 1890-11-07
CUPID'S MESSENGER,
Ecw a Stern Parent Was Out.
'witted by Two Lovers.
Unknowing,y He Acted as a rostman for
Years between His Daughter and Her
Ro,nso-A Case of Love Laugh.
ing at Obstaclss.

Glove laughs at locksmiths, no doubt
of it," said jolly old fellow in car OF
the elevated railway tho other day, a.
no spread his newspaper ON his knees
and leaned back to have hearty laugh
at the story of an elopcmcnt he had
Just been reading TO New York Trib-
nno reporter. ''This story" he contin-
ued, reminds mo Of the courtship OF
myself and my wife. years ago, when
was prentice boy to . crusty old leath-
er merchant in the swamp He used to
live over in Brooklyn and part Of my
neager wages were taken out in board
and lodging at his house. OF course I
left my bed in the attic and was sweep.
ing out tho counting-room long before
his old nibs was up and returned to
my supper long after he had left the of
flee for the day, yet found time to fall
In love with his pretty daughter for all
shat.
"She returned my feelings u may say
it without vanity. as VIC have been mar
ried now these thirty ycars) and
stepped around in tho seventh Heaven
for timo, but the old man soon spotted
us and narrowly escaped a severe
thrashing at his hands for my prcsump-
ton. 1 was banished from the house
and Jane was locked up in hcr room ON
bread and water diet for week. OF
course, We found . way to meet once in
very long time, but how to correspond
as frequently as our yearning young
hearts desired was question that pus-
zled us for months. The post-ofice was
no use for there was no house-to-house
delivery in those days, and all the lctters
for the family came to the counting
house and passed Under the old mans
eye, and there was no one to act as go
between to whom we dare confidc the
secret. Can't you hit some plan, Janc,
dear" I said in despair one day, on
which we had managed to arrange for .
clandestine meeting after month spent
without glimpse Of each other. IS
there no one in your family OF among
your friends or servants whom you
could trust to carry our notes back and
f,rth?'
No ono,' she replied, with sigh.
'Have not thought and thought and
thought Us much about it as you? But
oh, have it, have it! sho exclaimed,
suddenly ciapping her hands. 4 have
found some ono at last and she burst
into peal of laughter SO long that
could hardly control my impatience to
hear her discovery.
"'Who is IL? Tell me quick / said.
Papa shc gasped, and went OF into
another fit of laughter.
"'Your fathcr?' said, astounded:
'Jane you're making cruel fun of me,'
and turned my back on her in huff.
81 am not, indeed. dear Billy she
replied. 'Imean just what say. You
know papa's old ovcrcoat that no
will insist on wearing ninc months in
the year in spite of all that every body
can say. Well, I'll hido little note to
you cvcry day IN tho lining OF tnc coat.
tail, and when he hangs it up behind
the counting-room door it will be easy
for you to got it out and hide your an
swer i'll tho samo place. Oh! my, won't
it b. funny to think of papa. who has
set his heart on keeping us apart, him
self carrying our lovo letters back and
forth from one to the other every day.
and she burst into another merry peal
of laughter, in which joined heartily
this timo.
"Well, we adopted the plan and it
worked to charm. The old boy was
cur faithful postn,an for years, and 1
often used to trenble as thought of
the possible consequences II he should
ever discover one of my burning lovo
,aissives in tho tails of his rusty old
coat. But hc never did. and in dina
course of time worked my way up to o
place in his business where he could no
longer ignore mc or my claims. lIo was
rather astonished one day, though, when
l formally asked for his daughtcr's hand
and assured him that she was willing If
he was. lie consented, but it was not
until was his junior partner and he
was dand.;ng his first grandson on his
lineo that we dared to tell him how for
years he had played the part of Cupia's
messenger when no thought ho was act
ing the stern and careful parent"