The San Francisco call., 1896-04-26

Accordingly, for upward of a year, I ap-
piled myself to master the mysteries of
looms and shuttles, correspondence and
bookkeeping. but before it was half out
fell deeply in love, but this 1 dared not
tell my uncle. Minnie was the sweetest
fairy that ever tripped over lawn with
out doubling a daisy; her hair was of the
richest auburn, her eyes were of the deep
est blue, her mouth was a rosebud, and
with my hand l could span her waist,
but-alas! that terrible but-she lacked
one thing which my uncle set above all
the graces ever combined in goddess.
Her mother, the widow of very poor
clergyman, lived upon a scanty pension,
and Minnie was dowerless. So we kept
our love a profound secret and trusted to
time and the chapter of accidents. Both
young, we could afford to wait; and conf
dent ii each others affection, the possi-
biIity of another union never entered the
heads of either of US.
My uncle frequently spoke to me of
matrimony. He advocated my early mar
riage-perhaps a little from selfish mo-
tives, for he often ioyously anticipated the
charm young and graceful woman
would bring into his dwelling, and the de-
light ne should have in dandling grand
nephew upon his knee Warm-hearted
and generous, he was still completely the
man OF business, and he looked upon it as
settled matter that, although ] had very
little fortune OF my own, my expectations
from him would insure NE a rich wife
This idea was so deeply rooted in his
mind that 1t caused me some uneasiness
as the day must soon come when I should
confess To him my love for sweet, penni-
less Minnie.
One morning letter came which seemed
to give my uncle much pleasure, but in
stead of handing 1t 10 me to read he folded
it carefully and put it in all inside pocket.
all that day he was in state of particular
exhilaration. At dinner he said little, but
something very agreeable evidently occu-
pied his mind. AT last, when at evening
he had established himself in his easy
chair at the open window, his m meerschaum
in his mouth, flask of golden Rhenish at
his elbow, the mystery was revealed. The
letter was from his Old friend, Counselor
Frazer, who lived on his pleasant domain
OF Wiesenthal, about two days drive
from us.
l had met the counselor once ut my
uncle's and was told that he was very
wealthy widower with three maria geable
daughters. These | had not seen. My
uncle, 1t appeared, had been negotiating a
marriage between me ana one of the young
ladies', who were reported TO be very hand
some, and that mornings letter con ntained
the counselor;s full acquiescence in the
scheme, together With an invitation to me
to pass few days at Wiesenthai.
1t was useless to say that neither of the
Misses Frager would please me. My uncle
declared it impossible for me to decide
unit! had seen them. So / was obliged
to submit.
told Minnie the whole matter, vowed
would be true 30 her. and tried to console
epithets. But the timld, loving little
heart ached sorely, l knew As I was
about 10 depart my uncle said: .'Tho
girls are pretty, witty and well read. You
must rub up your learning. The chief
thing is, each OF them will have dover of
10000 tbalers. Bring me home one of
tneol and I take you into partnership"
rolled pleasantly along the level road in
the warm autumn sunshine, through mile
after mile OF dew-spangled vineyard.