Middletown transcript., 1892-06-16

otuuicN oaeA CoPCSes s>ts%AoAEA So r.
fssses religion. Ny uncle has no
good opinion Of Mr.. Harkins. |"
Young man." said Mr.. Harkins
solemnly, your uncle amt told yo'i
half. Don't let nothin' ever tempt
you to associate With that old repro
bate Jake Harkins, and don't let bis
money make you overlook his short
comin's."
But Mr.. Harkins is . man Of
property. 1t wouldn't be worth
while to offend him.
Pertikerlerly if you wanted TO
marry his neice," added Mr.. Harkins
gravely.
Mr.. Kingsley blushed up to the
roots Of his carefully-brushed hair.
Well" said he, /" I'm very much
obliged to you for your information. !"
!" And my conversation too. Don't
you count that as nothin', you ing
man?"
of course, appreciate it highly"
said Mr. Kingsley, looking slightly
surprised ; but won't detain You
any longer. Good evening" And
he walked off.
Uncle Jake resumed his whiting.
guess you amt as deep as vel"
said he, apostrophizing Mr.. Kingsleys
retreating figure.
Half an hour afterward, Mr.. Hark.
ins was aroused from the brown study
in which Mr.. Kingsley had left him
by loud HallooH Looking up he
saw a tall young man stridiug toward
him. As he approached, Mr.. Harkins
took stock y of him, as ne expressed
it. He was big, wsll-made young
man. in an easy, well-ftting blue
suit. He fixed pair Of keen blue
eyes on Mr.. Harkins, and made the
same inquiry of him that Mr.. Kings
ley had done. He wanted to,
know the way to Mr.. Harkins's house.
I" About mile further on; frst house
to the left" said Mr.. Harkins, repeat
ing his directions. Going to see
Miss Rose iv be asked, without max
ing a movement to let him pass
through the gate.
!" You are q little too inquisitiye, "
said the stranger, his hand on the
latch.
g Oh, it don't make no matter TO
me, only another young fellow has
just gone by here right down to old
man Harkins' : on very pertik' Ter busi-
ness. Got somethin' to say to Miss
Rose he kem all the way from New
York to say"
The young mans interest was inn
mediately awakened. You don't
look like fool" said he.
And I amt, nuther," replied Mr..
Harkins but you'll find old Hark.
ins rough one to tackle"
- + + don don't care rap fer cid Harkins;;
and, since you are so sharp, | am
going to see Miss Rose too; and if
you will show me how to open this
confounded old gate"
= It's patent, young man. and
don't nobody but me know the COM
bination," said Mr.. Harkins, still i'm.
movable. You'd better not say you
don't care rap for old Harkins. You
know he's got good deal to give
Rose if he wants to-
WELL" said the, stranger, laugh
ing and showing set of white teeth.
"I haven't got Miss Rose yet /; so I'll
not disturb myself about her old
uncle. Open the gate, will you i''
"In minute. Now, old Harkins'll
talk to you pretty rough.''
If he talks too rough to me. I'll
knock him down. No, I won't either,
hes Miss Haller's uncle"
What knock a man down that
can give you hundred thousand
dollars ?''
"a fellow ought to be thankful
enough if he gives him Miss Rose
And hundred thousand dollars be.
sides that's too much good luck
ever to befall me.n
But old Harkins-''
Look here, old fellow, want you
TO get out of my way while I open
this gate. I don't care rap, tell
you, for old Harkins,-it's his pretty
niece; and if you weren't so old I
would give you something for your
impertinence you wouldn't like,n said
the stranger, as he unfastened the
gate and walked through.
As he disappeared down the road,
Mr.. Harkins made bee.lins for home
by short cut. When he reached
there, he understood that Rose was
entertaining visitors in the parIor.
After while, Miss Haller came
out, her cheeks flushed and her ewes
bright.
Well" said Mr.. Harkins. (which
are you going to take:"
oh, Uncle Jake 70 said Rose.
making dash at Mr.. Harkins and
catching him around the neck.
1t amt that black-hairsd younr
man,-Deacon Haverstraw's nephew.
lis it i'' said Mr.. Harkins anxiously.
Po,o drow oR on.l I~oLol