The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-09-22
BRIXTON'S CHOICE.

There are many varieties of matri.
monial proposals besides those which
appear in novels, and one of them made
lot of trouble a year or two ago for
John Brixton. Brixton was one of the
intelligent fellows who also are adaptive,
so he had acquired a lot of acquaintances
who were the envy of every one that
knew him. Although he was only u
salesman on salary-quite good salary,
1t must be said-for large firm of iron
manufacturers, he was frequently ac-
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 Il bachelor and old enough
to have outgrown the habit of lounging
through successive evenings i'll houses
where there were pretty daughters, he
was available for dinner parties given
by men who knew no better way of
spending an evening. Everybody among
his acquaintances wished him we'll and
wished they could do something for him,
but they respected him all the moro 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. He
merely needed the chance which comes
to every deserving man i'll the course of
time, and each of them hoped it might
be his own fortune to throw the chance
In Brixton's way.
1t seemed one day to old Builder, presi-
dent of the Forty seventh National bank
and a hearty admirer of Brixton, that he
was just the man to throw fortune in
Brixton's way. The plan came to Bud
der's mind suddenly, but sudden inspira-
lions and quick action thereon are part
of the daily life Of the most stolid presi-
dents of big banks. Brixton had prom
Used to lunch with the bank magnate at
midday and he appeared at the bank just
IN time to see the old man bowling out IL
lady with more courtesy and ceremony
than he imagined Builder capable of.
AS the old man caught sight of Brix-
ton he exclaimed:
Gone moment, Miss Fewse. Allow lue
to introduce my very dear and old friend,
,Mr. John Brixton. Mr.. Brixton, Miss
Fewse, daughter of old Ben Fewse, whom
every one has heard Of"
-BriXton bowed and looked curiously
at the lady. He had seen her father oc-
casionally before increasing years and
doctors had sent Mr.. Fewes to his final
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 dumpy, 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 wom-
anly, and as she finally took her depar-
ture Brixton, who had dear old mother
as well us n sister whom he regarded as
the best young woman alive sorrowed
to himself that man as rich as old Ben
Fewes could not have married some one
Whose blood could have atoned for the
rudeness of his own.
"Well, John" said the president, after
handing Miss Fewse into her carriage,
''you owe me one. Any one of a thousand
good fellows in New York would give
10 years of his life for such an introduc-
ton to Miss Fewse as / gave you Just
now. Go right ahead now and mako
use Of it,"
"You're always doing the friendly
thing, Builder" remarked Brixton, sink
ing into an easy chair, "but don't quite
understand it this time"
'Don't, eht" said the president, hastily
relighting cigar which he had laid on
his desk when Miss Fewse was an
nounced.
"Well puff), Miss Fewse is joint heir
with puff her brother-her only brother,
mind you. Old Ben's estate is estimated
by his executors at $8,000,00O. don't
know how close that comes to the truth
II don't take much stock in what can't
see with my own eyes-but this much
do know"
Then the president clapped two pudgy
hands upon Brixton's knees, looked
squarely into Br.ixton's eyes and said in
low, measured monotone:
"John Brixton, ] know of nv own
knowledge that Ada Fewse has over one,
miliion-dollars-in good railroad bonds
right IN my safe here. 'Nough said, ehf"
Enough money, should say, for an
unmarried woman who doesn't look as
If her tastes were expensive. But what
have to do with it? You said"-