The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-06-12
JACKS PROPOSAL.
His Employers Noet Trick Brings
Him to His SenSeS

The day was drawing to close and
in. the office of Durant Brothers there
were only two persons, Thomas
Dursnt, the senior member of the firm,
and John Crawford. the confidential
clerk.
The former sat vt q table, writing;
the latter stood, with his elbows on a
window sash and his hands supporting
his chin, watching the people pass to
and fro in the street
Jack dropped from Mr.. Durant's
lips a. he laid aside his pen
.'Ycs, sir" responded the clerk, IA
miliarly known rs ''Jac.s," turning his
face toward Mr. Durant.
why don't you get married?"
-'Ah-h'n, how2" was the staInmer-
ing reply
why don't you get married?" Mr..
Durant repeated.
Really, 1 have not given the matter
much consideration"
II am convinced that marriage IS adj
visablc on the part of any man"
Mr.. Durant was a fifty-year-old bach
elor, and Jack ventured:
"Do You intend to renounce single
Dlcssedncss?" smiling "a he spoke.
II may do 30 by and by" Mr. Durant
answered, in significant tone NO
one is dependent upon you for sup
port?" he continued
Il have only myself to support" said
Jack
Your salary has enabled you to lay
by something each year during the five
years you have been with us?''
II hsve about two thousand dollars
at my command"
sufficient to begin housekeeping
with comfortably. You would prefer a
home to boarding placer"
II should"
II have no doubt there is some young
lady whom you incline to regard with
especial favor?" Mr.. Durant remarked,
intcrrogatively.
"I-Slon' on't-bnow," Jack rcjoined,
blushing to the roots of his hair.
III you entertain such regard for any
lady whom you believe to bc truly
womanly and to reciprocatc your kind
" feelings, ask her to become your
wife without delay. You viii excuse
me for advising you with reference to
so vital n matter, as am influenced to
do so by my interest in your welfare,
the interest of friend rather than an
employer"
ShAAAAgf eAAANN y peAA -AAC
tive"
Presently Mr.. Durant left the office
and Jack muttercd:
II verify believe he does intend to
marry, and the woman whose husband
he becomes will have reason to be
thankful, as he is one of the noblest men
in the world"
Soon after, passing the table at which
Mr.. Durant had been writing, he saw
upon il a note, which began: my dear
Miss benton, and near it an envelope
addressed: Miss Alice Benton. 2T6 w
avenue, City"
As the lady addressed was one whom
he inclined Ito regard with special IA
yor,' whom he really loved with his
whole heart, the beginning of the mis-
sivc SO aroused his curiosity that, re-
gardless of propriety, he read it in its
entirety, as follows:
my DEAR MISS BENTON: / shall call to-
morrow evening for your answer to the ques-
tion which asked you a short time ago, and
trust IT Will bo such Is TO confer upon me the
happiness that ii alone can afford me.
yours sincerely, THOMAS DURAST"
Having read it:
''Can II be that she has been receiving
the attentions of that curmudgeon old
enough to be her father" he eiaculat-
ed, trembling like a leaf. And can it
be that she has been merely Stimulating
4 love for me?' he continued
He may call upon her tomorrow
evening, but / will see her before that
time and come to an understanding
with her"
a few minutes later Mr.. Durant re-
entered the office, saying:
II forgot to take with me for posting
The most important communication
which | had written, doubtless owing
To our interesting discussion"
-'Ah! was Jacks sole response, as
he kept his back toward Mr.. Durant,
who. having folded the missive TO Miss
benton, placed 1t in the envelope and
sealed II, again went from the Office.
That rysning Alice Benton. a very
pretty young lady, was busily occupied
With piece of monde script work.