The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-10-27
BRIXToN'S CHOICE.

There are many varieties Of matri-
monial proposals besides those which
appear IN novels, and one Of them made
b lot of trouble year OF two ago for
John Brixton. Brixton was one of the
intelligent fellows who also are adaptive,
so he had acquired a lot Of acquaintance
who were tho envy Of every one that
knew him. Although he was only
salesman on salary-quite good salary,
it must be said-for a large firm of iron
manufacturers, he was frequently &C.
costed Familiarity by bank presidents and
other business magnates and could slap
any of these gentlemen on the shoulder
without giving offense.
! AS he was bachelor and old enough
to have outgrown the habit of lounging
through successive evenings in houses
where there were pretty daughters, he
was available for dinner parties given
by men who knew no better way of
spending an evening. Every body among
his acquaintance wished him well and
wished they could do something for him,
but they respected hira all the more be-
cause he never tried to borrow money
nor asked for any OTHER favors. Solid
business men told one another that Brix-
ton would be one Of them some day. Hs
merely needed the chance which comes
to every deserving man in the course of
time, and eac' Of them hoped it might
be his own fortune to throw the chancs
In Brixton's way.
It seemed one day to old Bidder, presi.
dent Of the Forty seventh National bank
and hearty admirer of Brixton, that he
was just the man to throw a fortune il
Brixton's way. The plan came to Bud
der's mind suddenly, but sudden inspira.
tions and quick action thereon are part
of the daily life Of the most stolid presi-
dents of big hanks. Brixton had pro1n-
Used to lunch with the bank magnate at
midday, and be appeared at the bank just
in time to see the old man bowling out a
Lady with moro courtesy and ceremony
than he imagined Builder capable of.
AS tho old man caught sight of Brix@
ton he exclaimed:
Zone moment, Miss Fewse. Allow ms
to in5roducemy very dear and old friend,
Mr.. John Brixton. Mr.. Brixton, Miss
Fewse, daughter of old Ben F'ewse, whom
every one has heard off,
Brixton bowed and looked curiously
at the lady. BE had seen her father CO
casionally before increasing years and
doctors had sent Mr.. Fewes to his fna!
home, and his eyes searched the daugh.
ter's face for indications of her fathers
Distinguishing traits. He found them,
too, although the interview was short.
Miss Fewes was richly and simply
dressed. Her figure, like her fathers,
was dummy, and her face, though not
rude, was as broad and heavy and her
forehead was as low as that Of old Ben
himself. Still, her manner was WON.
anly, and as she finally took her depar-
Iture BEixton, who had dear old mother
las well as sister whom he regarded as
the best young woman alive, sorrowed
TO himself that q man as rich as old Ben
Fewes could not have married some one
whose blood could have atoned fer the
rudeness Of bis own.
"Well, John, = said the president, after
handing Miss Fewse into her carriage,
''you owe me one. Any one of thousand
good fellows in New York would give
10 years Of his life for such an intr0duc-
ton to Miss Fewse as 1 gave you just
now. Go right ahead now and make
use Of IT,
you're always doing the friendly
thing, Bidder, remarked Brixton, sink
ing into an easy chair, "but dor4't quite
understand it this time"
I Don't, CHI" said the president, hastily
relighting q ;igar which he had laid on
his desk when Miss Fewse was an.
no,nced.
We'll {puT). Miss Fewse is joint he'll
with (puf) her brpther-her only brother.
mind you. Old Ben's estate is estimated
by his executors at $6,G00,O00. l dcn1
know how close that comes to the truth
Il dent take much stock in what can't
see with 11.y owa eycs-but this much
do know
Then the president clapped two pulgy
hands upon B-ixton's knees, looked
squarely into Brixton's eyes and said in
low, measured monotone:
John Bri1tol, know Of my own
knowledge that Ada Fewse has over one
.million--dollars-in good railroad bonds
right in my safe here. 'Nough said, eh?''
Enough money, / should say, for al.
unmarried woman who doesn't look a.,
If her tastes were expensive. But what
have [ TO do with itP Won caidw