The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-06-15

her brother Hiram, and she planned
clever little ruse to be played on the
unsuspecting farmer.
Mr.. Bryan, whom Jennie had con-
fessed to her mother she cared a great
deal for, was well suited to her He
had not yet declared his love, but it
was not unguessed by the shrewd little
maiden. To Mrs. Calding, however,
he had opened his heart, and she bade
him wait a little. She knew how pre-
JUDGED her brother was against all
arrangements not conducted by him
self, and rightly concluded that he
might put serious difficulty in the way
OF the young people.
After satisfying herself that the
name of Jennie's lover was quite un-
known to her brother, she resolved to
Introduce him as a young man who
would be good match for Jennie, if
only the girl would be wise enough to
think so. Allowing him to believe
that they had never met, she trusted
to his unequaled obstinacy to do the
rest.
"I've wanted so much to talk with
you about Jennie" said the lady, as
she and Hiram sat in her well-ap-
pointed dining-room on the night Of
the arrival.
Eyes, and I'm willin'. She ought to
be settled" said the old man, de-
cidedly.
at does not do, Hiram" began Mrs.
Calding, watching the hard-lined face
intently, "to depend on girls choice,
. and"
well, I guess it don't" he inter-
rupted with sneer.
There's young man in town, who,
/ know, admires Jennie, and il he
should meet her | know something
would come of it." Very quietly, yet
with the utmost caution she made this
statement.
The old man was interested. "Rich ?"
he inquired, rubbing his hands gently
together.
%Yes," was the answer; then she
went on:
"Of course, it's so very uncertain,
Hiram. You see Jennie might refuse
to have word to say to him, and"
"Now, Kate, look here" interrupted
the thoroughly excited old man, as he
drew his chair nearer hers and empha-
sized his words with decisive gestures,
"ef / like that young man I'll just
take him on home with me, and I'd
like to see Jennie tell him to go if I'm
livin'"
Mrs. Calding was delighted at her
success thus far. The next day Mr..
Bryan was introduced and became the
old mans ideal of son-in-law.
On the farmers return to his home
Mr.. Bryan accompanied him, having
accepted the hearty invitation of his
new friend to "jest run out and take
look at our part of the country"
Jennie had been apprised of Mr..
Bryan's coming and of the little de-
ception in which she was to play heI
part. She met him as if he were q
stranger, while her father secretly re-
joiced at the thought of subduing his
proud young daug ghter.
Mr.. Olcott took an early opportunity
to enlighten Jennie as TO her duty
toward his new friend, and with q
twinkle in her eye she promised to
do her best to please him in the mat
| ter.
A week passed. Jennie and Mr.
Bryan were very happy. The days
were delightful to them, and the old
farmer rubbed his hands at the sue
cess of his scheme, and gave his con-
sent to an early marriage with nc
hesitation.
He often speaks now of his match
making. There's Jennie" he viii
say. "She'd hev picked up with some
empty-noddled city chap eff hadn'
| just took her in hand. / brung Bryar
out an told her that she'd got to be
have to him. It's the only way to dt
| lest make 'em mind. and they'll ci
along.
They would not deceive him fol
anything-the happy young couple
but when he boasts they think will
loving gratitude of clever Aunt Kate