The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1894-09-12
CAUGHT BY A TRICK.

1tS Jolly old place." said Squire
Slick, nodding at the fire. as though the
fire were personally interested in the
matter. "a fine ancestral mansion, a.
they say in the novels. Been in the
family hundred years and shall be 6
hundred more, if have anything to
say about it! And, BERTHE, I'd advise
you, as friend, to think seriously oYel
my proposition; it's chance you won't
come across every day."
Herbert Slick felt his mustache per.
plexedly.
"But, uncle, he began, ''the idea Of
having ones fancies and partialities
put in harness, as it were"
Bother" unceremoniously inter-
rupted his granduncle. "Who wants
to do anything of the sortP"
you, l should suppose"
"That's just where your suppositions
are at fault. All ask of you is to
come down to the Cedars and see the
girls-your second cousins, you know,
and all that-the most natural thing in
the world. Of course they can't help
being curious to see you, after your
long absence in Europe; and if you like
either of 'em, and she chances to retain
viz why, JOo SAGlA1 UO NY u0lI.
"And If not"
"Then," said Squire Slick, with a Gu
rious contraction of the upper lip,
you'll have to do as many better one
has done before you-work your own
way in the world"
Herbert was silent.
cat all events" went on his grand
uncle, 'you can come down and see me
and your cousins. Call it next week,
on Saturday-fne weather, seasonable
and plenty of it. No place like the
Cedars."
So Herbert Slick promised, and the
squire went exultantly home to tell his
widowed sister of the plans he had laid.
ooh, Jared" said Mrs. PIayfair.
"you've made mistake"
made mistake!" echoed the squire.
'How? 1 don't understand you,
Matty."
"If you wanted him to fall in love
with one of the girls you never should
have bfeathed a word Of it; not single
word"
"But why notp"
Because, of course, he'll set himself
to work to imagine all sorts of obsta-
cles and hindrances. The very fact
that you want him to marry his cousin
will be the best of reasons why he
shouldn't. It's human nature Ten to
one he'll take dislike to his cousins on
the first meeting, and all because you
were too eager to carry your point"
"He can do as he likes" sputtered her
brother.
"Of course he can, and probably he
will"
But what would you have doneP"
why, should just have asked him
down for pleasant little visit, and let
the girls eyes do the rest.
"Then why didn't you say SOP"
"Why didn't you ask me?"
81 wish l had-but it's too late now" I"
THAT doesn't follow by any means. !"
And Mrs. Playfair, in mysterious
series OF whispers, told her brother
what she meant.
1t was glorious winter twilight when
Herbert Slick reached the Cedars-the
sky belted with orange, the moon lust
steering her silver crescent into view
above the western woods, while ever
greens, veiled in whiteness, kept guard
around the old mansion 1t seemed
old knocker sounded summons before
he was in the old hall, his uncle shak-
ing his hand, and four of the prettiest
girls he had ever seen gathered around
the fire.
"Are all these my cousins?" said
Herbert, internally ngratulating him
self upon his new relatives.
mo such good luck, my boy!" said
Uncle Slick, chuckling. "Amy and
Clara, come here and kiss your cousin.
Nonsense, nonsense; no shyness here!
We are all one family, remember.
These yellow-haired lassies are their
visitors, Lizzie and Lucy Saxon"
And so Herbert became acquainted
all round
Miss Amy Slick was a tall, graceful
girl, with great dreamy eyes and tre-
mendous aptitude for poetical quota
tions. Clara was brunette, altogether
on smaller pattern, who laughed and
danced about as if the world were all
an amusing joke. Miss Lizzie Saxon
was ight-haired beauty, with cherry
cheeks and the most bewitching of
smiles; while Lucy-well. Herbert Slick
came to the conclusion that Lucy wasn't
pretty at all. Too pale, too slight. too
shy.
"My cousin Clara is certainly the
prettiest of the lot" thought Herbert.
"Heigho! it's pity a fellow couldn't
marry m all. I'll do my best to fall in
love with Clara"
But love and laughter do not always
harmonize. Pretty Clara was the most
charming of companions for half an
hour, but when Herbert came to con-
slider it as life question, it was quite