Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1892-02-13

The first day Of Apr. was always a
great day for Tommy. On that day
the young scapegoat directed toward
the old gentleman all the misehievous
designs hitherto unknown to his latent
energies But, as Mr.. Brown could
hardly bring the might of the law to
BEER on the dcviser of these subtle and
cmbarrass ing tricks, he went TN his
silent, irate way, hoping that the boy
would. sometime, grow away from his
annoying ~propensities
Retaliation was the last thing to en-
ter Mr.. Browns mind, hut to what
purpose it did, finally. take mp its
abiding-place with - }tertaln-tem-
pered old gentlem.., Ne shall present
ly see.
One bright morning in February,
Mr.. Brown and ~hisnephcw were seated
at breakfast in the coy morning room,
which was not the least pleasant fea-
ture of their luxurious home, the uncle
perusing the morning paper, while his
handsome nephew was busy with a
letter from his adored one.
II write this to YOU because dare
not say it" he read. Il can never con-
sent to become your wife against the
will of your uncle. We're it not for
him, | would gladly go to the ends of
earth with you"
As Jed read on, couragetook pos
session of his soul and he broke ont,
calm enough without, but surging
within:
Uncle, when will you give lis your
blessing?"
Give you my blessing? What do you
mean, lad? Are You about to make
your old uncle happy by settling down
in life, as a young man should?'
Jed was not surprised at this, a.
though he had always been somewhat
at a loss to understand why his uncle
was so anxious that he should marry,
when he himself was a bachelor.
Perhaps the hope of keeping his
nephew with him Influenced the old
gentleman in this desire, for he loved
the ungrateful Jed as, he assured him
self, he might have loved his own SOL
"NVho is the fortunate young lady?'
he %bethought himself to ask, after the
first flush of his happiness was over.
Jed grew red and white by turns,
but he had resolved to face it out bold
lv, so he put on a cool front and re-
piled:
at is Miss Helen Dav-Davis, uu-
Gle"
70 say that the old gentleman turned
purple in his rage would not be putting
it too strongly; indeed, Jed rushed for
ward in some alarm, fearing that apo
plexy had attacked his dearly-beloved
uncle.
80, uncle -" he began, but Mr..
Brown waved him away.
Don't spe ak to me,' he cried, when
at last he found words to utter his in
dignation, That chit. that but his
emotions again overcame him end he
retired to the library to recover him
self, dropping his newspaper under the
table and his spectacles in the hall
Its all up with me now.' thought
Jed, and indeed it was, for that even
ing his uncle called him into the IL
brary, and although he at first ex-
postulated with his nephew-but to no
avail-he ended by disinheriting jed
for eyermore.
80 make this doubly sure" he
added, his face ruddy with anger and
his hands clinchcd on the arms of his
chair, TO make this doubly sure, l n.y.
selt shall marry
Very well,' answered Jed, eoolly,
and left him without another word
Jed went straight to Helen and told
her all. When she still refused to be-
come Mrs, Jedediah Brown. he accused
her Of wanting his uncle's money, but
a moment later threw himself at her
feet and implored her forgiveness,
which, it IS needless to add, was
granted.
ON the morning Of the fourteenth Of
February Jed strolled into the library,
for his uncle had deferred the day Of
his nephew's departure until his own
marriage, and Jed fingered, hoping
that the old gentleman would relcnt
Not that he cared 50 much for the
property. for he was q strong, manly f,
young fellow and felt, with the conf.
dence Of youth, that he could easily
earn enough for two; but he loved his
uncle too dearly to wish TO part from
him IN anger.
He dropped into the huge leather
chair which always stood before the
library table and, unconsciously, his
eye fell on a letter which lay open, so
that he took in its import before lie
knew it
DEAR Miss ROBINS 10 it ran
win you consent 10 be NY wife as soon
ss possible: HIRAM BRowE.'
This was certainly short, but, of Jed's
knowledge of Miss Robins, he came
to the conclusion on the instant that it
would seem sweet to he: vision.
Poor old gentleman" he muttered.
He has always kept himself shut mp