Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1893-02-03

| and people will think it million"
The news of Mr.. Merivale's sudden
acquisition of wealth spread rapidly and
people exaggerated the reports, as he
had anticipated. New friends sprung
up on every side. Wherever Kate APP
peared she was more than ever the centre
of attraction.
| Mr.. Merivale began to plan changes on
grand scale. A lot was purchased next
to Robertson's and preparations were
made for the erection of a magnificent
mansion. There were to be carriages,
servants, gravelled walks, horses, dogs,
| fountains-in short, all the attributes OF
aristocracY.
One day, after long interview with
his wife, Mr.. Merivale summoned Kate.
81 wish to talk with you about that fell
| low Hoburton," said he. "You do not
suppose, now, that he will try to hold
you to the engagement, do youF" he
| inquired, nervously.
ssWhatn exclaimed the daughter,
reddening; edo you mean that he should
| forsake me because we have been for
| tunate?'
az mean," returned the father, more
coolly, ''that since our circumstances
have materially changed we should regu-
late ourselves accordingly. My principle
is the same as have always endeavored
to inculcate. No one should ever marry
below his or her station. Our station
has risen and those who were once our
social equals are Nd longer so. Person
ally, Hoburton is an estimable young
fellow, but l must insist that the pro-
jected alliance be broken off at once"
If Kate gave her fathor look of scorn
it was lost on him, for ne continued
without looking up: "You have always
been a dutiful daughter, and | have i'm
plicit confidence in your obeying my
wishes. We have a social status to main
tain. 1t would be flying in the face of
Providence to disregard the advantages
which our altered circumstances present.
This you would be doing were you to
marry poor man."
"Why, father" exclaimed the daugh-
ter, "Mr. Hoburton is by 10 means poor.
He has, as you know, over $40, 900, and
with the assistance that you might now
afford he could easily add to it,
"Ah," said her father, ''you forget
that while he has $40, 900; you will have
ten times that. He is altogether too
many rounds in the ladder below you,
and the sooner he is informed of the
change the better for all concerned. No,
no, said he, interrupting her as she was
about to continue the argument. 81 can
never consent to the marriage. should
commit fragrant breach of duty were |
to allow the equilibrium to be thus DIS
turbed. After you have thought the
matter over candidly you will see that
my position is the only one tenable."
The daughter sat for some time after
her father had left the room, ever
whelmed with grief at his proposition.
She thought of Jack struggling along
III the West to prepare for her home. |
and the idea of abandoning him just |
because her father had acquired wealth |
was not to be tolerated. Even If she |
had not loved HIM so dearly she could
not be so base. She went to her room
and poured forth her grief in an agony
of tears. |
Finally she gathered up sufficient
to write to Jack, and in a
wretched tear-staiued scrawl she con-
fessed her fathers disapproval of the
While she was penning this
letter, full of endearments and proUesta'
tions of constancy-constaucy she de-
clared that would endure even if her father
''should acquire ten million" -the pa
ternal Croesus was seated in his private
office, writing a letter of a contrary |
sentiment.
Mr. Merivale wrote two letters, one to
Mr.. John Hoburton, politely requesting
the discontinuance of attentions to his
daughter, the other to Mr.. Joel G. Ho-
burton. President of the Arapahoe Min
ing Company, Denver, COL, stating that
he would have the pleasure of calling |
upon this official the following week on
business relating to his mining interests. |
Mr.. Merivale arrived in Denver on
Thursday afternoon and took apartments |
at hotel.
Early in the evening, while inspecting
his person in the mirror after the COM
pletion of careful toilet, he was startled |
by a knock upon the door. He opened |
it and stepped back in unfeigned aston
for who should be standing
there but his once presumtive son-in-
law, young Jack Hoburton.
81 saw your name in the register"
said Jack, ''and have taken the liberty |
to seek al interview"
"Step in" said Mr.. Merivale, and
with cool pomposity ne waved him to
chair.
"Now," said he, as he seated himself,
ynlII