The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-04-22

in his opposition I'd the modern, rapid,
hazardous manner of conducting bust
ness. Harry was his chief book keeper,
young man OF pleasing address, active
and ambitious, but Affected, to some ex.
tent, by the prevailing haste to be rich.
His birth, however, had been humble.
he had, in fact begun life as a newsbov;
so his suit for the hand of the stad old
merchants daughter did seem pre-
sumptuous. The one exception men
toned was looking at the matter from
the standpoint of love, which knows no
presumption. Best of all, Annie herself
did not think it presumptuous, and would
not let James say So He had long ago
told her his love. and she hal blush
lngly confessel her JOY aud her recipro-
cation. II Is needless to tell how it be-
gan, for it is the old, old story. In a
word, though, it sprang from duncr
her iather ha given to his clerks, at
which she had presided with grace and
charm irresistible to the youut MAJ.
Now the only thing between him and
happiness was the fathers consent.
"When will YOU ask him, Jamcs2' she
inquired, IA they sat III her parlor con,
siuerlng the sun, ,ect.
Her manner and look as she asked
him hrcu hit to his face look Of de-
termination wnicI instantly clllcl al.
miration to her own.
II will ask him now." he sail de.
cisivtlv. ".s he iu2"
"Irs, he is reading in the library. &c
in to hun. an Oh! james, how anxiously
shall wait"
1t was no easy matter to approach the
matter-of-lact merchant, whose freedom
OF speaking his mind was well known
even upon question of business, but
upon this particular subject he was tor.
midable, sitting by table peacefully
reading the evening paper; his thoughts
leagues away from sucn an uncommon
place affair as love.
He look ed up annoyed as Harvey weni
10, dropping the paper and revealing hi.
strong face and his steady eyes fixed in
4uiringiy upon him.
The young lover was temoted to
change his errand to one of business
nature, but Il thought of Annie: dsap
Pointment decided him, aud he said :,
taking the chair indicated by the old
gentleman
"Mr. Klriand, have come to ask you
for Annie"
The steady eyes grew even steadier,
the strong face stronger, and the precise
lips were drawn in a moment before he
said
"Very well, We will have a plain, free
talk over the matter. Put yourself AT
ease, as il We were discussing a business
queS,icn. What do you want my daugh
ter fOrT'
"Fnr my wife = %ssS
"Um, your wife. Do you need II
wife2"
81 7 eed her, Mr.. Kirland."
'Leave personalities out, Mr.. Harvey.
We will discuss it as we would busines.
project"
"On that basis, then, think it is 6
good business policy for man to marry
when he reaches the proper age, and J
have reached it,"
THAT is, you think you have reached
IT. These proper ages for marrying vary,
do they not2 That is, every man when
be marries thinks he has reached tb.
proper age"
"Tnat may be So"
$50, then, as matter of pure busi-
ness policy, you think it is, a wise move
to marry" -
80 far as love can be reduced to
business prineipes, answet yes."
"Is Annie Sdissatisfied hefe7"
"On, mol"
"Can you give her a better nomef"
mo, cannot expect that"
"Why take her away, then7"
"Well, sir, love has business principles
OF its own; and one Of them is for young
people to leave the old home and start
or themselves, to be conteuted with
deir lot, aud to hope and work together
iOr the future
"What are your prosDects2"
Harvey paused a few thoughtful mo-
ments, then quickly responded:
"You probably know that better than
do, Mr.. Kirland."
rhe old gentleman could not quite
rcyent his face showing the expression