The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-12-04
The Fittest Survives.
CONTINUED from page 81


one has SO delicate mission as mine "
The old banker slightly raised his big
eyebrows, but remained silent, imper-
turbable, showing no curiosity and offer
ing no encouragement Mr.. Sewall went
ON rather huskily:
"My object in seeking this interview
with you, sir, was to tell you that love
your daughter, am so happy as to have
won her affection, and ask your consent
to making her my wife,
"Truly personal matter Of some i'm
portance," commented Mr.. Willmarth
suavely, but with delicately sarcastic
infection in his voice. "My daughter is
aware, presume, Of your intent to
make this communication to me?"
"Oh, yes We agreed that your con-
sent should be asked"
81 should doubtless appreciate the
consideration. How long have you been
acquainted with my daughter?''
81 first had the happiness of meeting
her when she was visiting her cousin in
Boston in May last
sit is to be supposed that your finan-
cial position is sufficiently well assured
to justify the step you contemplated"
sob, certainly. Yes, sir. 1 have no
fears of the future"
"No! You are fortunate. May I ask
the extent of your present resources?"
''Well, have just completed my col
legiate course at Harvard, and-I may
say without vanity, as statement SIM
ply of fact-graduated with honors.
81 congratulate you"
81 have not yet felt called upon to de-
termine my future business OF profession,
but of course shall do so soon after / am
married, as have no desire to live an
idle life. do not question my achieve
ment Of success in whatever L may un-
dertake. In fact, the education have
received may be said to preclude the pos
sibility of failure. "
In addition to the education, what
amount of cash capital can you control?"
"About So, 900, sir. p"
The banker flashed at the young man
glance Of doubling establishment,
which gave way to look of amuse-
ment. But that expression was quickly
suppressed, and with polite gravity he
replied
"That can hardly be characterized as
o large sum. Indeed 1 have to pay as
much or more to each of half dozen of
my employees. Still, in the hands Of a
shrewd man of business, possessed of a
thorough education in practical affairs,
it might be made the foundation of a
very successful career. 1 am not aware
that such training is yet included in the
Harvard collegiate course"
"N-no, hardly"
81 thought not. Has the idea ever &C.
CURED to you that Irma spends that
much every year in dress alone?"
Chester sank back in his chair, with
a gasp. No, he had never thought of
that. He had not even thought whether
her dresses did or did not grow ready
made on bushes. AS for calculating
their cost, nothing, even in the highest
mathematics, had ever afforded him
even suggestion for such a computa-
ton. He did not readily find words to
say so, but his countenance answered for
him, and Mr.. Willmarth, depressing a
smile, went ON with an almost confiden-
tial manner:
GAS she is my only child-left moth
erless when an infant-and 1 have never
had any occasion for practicing economy
with her, all her whims have been hui
mored, and 1 may have thoughtlessly
formed in her habits that will i'll adapt
her for finding contentment without the
qualification of rather expensive tastes.
Her expenditures for perfumes and toilet
knickknacks are.more than the salary Of
an expert bookkeeper, and many pro-
fessional man would be happy to see his
annual fees reach such sum as she
pays for flowers. You understand Go
not revert to these things with any pur-
pose Of mere ostentation, Mr.. Sewall,
but simply as factors in the problem of
securing my child happiness by marry
ing her to a man whose present, and, so
far as we can positively affirm, prospec-
tive, capital is limited to So, 000."
"And do youth, energy and education
count for nothing. Mr.. Willmarth?"
asked Chester little bitterly.
''They may be satisfactory securities
to the original holder, but are not read
lily convertible into cash. Their value is
merely speculative.
''But, sir, Irma and love each other
and can only be happy togetho:. The
voice of the heart is louder than the
chink Of dollars, F"
'Rhetorically perhaps, but have not
found it so practically. Every child,
once at least, cries for the moon, and
being unable to get it abandons that
desire, but goes ON crying for something
else. You and Irna are each others
moon just at present. F"
'You are very hard hearted, Mr.
Willmarth.
my child has never had reason to
complain of me, and will not, 1 think,
even in this matter when her head gets
to work The head is a much better adj
wiser than the heart. You may very nat
urally suppose that 1 might take it
upon myself to continue to provide for
my daughter, and even do more, in
case of her marriage, but If so you will
do well to disabuse your mind of that
erroneous anticipation.