The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-06-03

words, who would sit at her table and
break her bread and her character at
the same time" Yet, Notwithstanding,
the knowledge that she afforded gratiti-
cation to their curiosity filled her with
feeling akin to indignation.
1Notoriety is the fate of greatness,
the Colonel told her, by way OF consola.
ton. You and Brian are the most
prominent figures in the neighborh0oo
lust now. Think of the distinction. But
seriously, my dear, I'm glad you TWO
have reached such q sensible setele.
ment. Expected it all the time. NoS
quite so soon, though. You've made the
Quickest time on record" The ola gen
tleman's ewes twinkled at this evidence
of his own humor.
About this time he was deep IN some
cherished plans intended 10 aIGcC tHe
future of his son and niece. He gave
no hint of his desires to either party
concerned, for he could be polite on oc-
casion. and he realized that this was
matter to be handled with much caution.
"a fine pair, fine pair" he would
chuckle, when privacy permitted him to
give such expression to his feelings.
@Plenty OF spirit in the girl, and that
young scamp, confound him, he'll be
something yet"
The scamp in question had enjoyed
all the advantages a young man in his
position could expect or hope for.
II want you to make good showing,
his father had said to him, when he
started out on his college career. You
must look to your future and take up
something practical. I prefer law,
though it is scoundrelly profession:
Still, as good as most, dare say. II
you do start in it, stick to 1t. And for
heavens sake don't come out first
class idiot, fit only for show piece.
And don't break your neck, or get in
debt"
Bertie had managed to 60 through
college without falling victim to the
latter evils. He had followed his
fathers counsel as to adopting law,
though he had not yet passed the bar:
Under pretext Of reading for this
end, he spent much Of his time in New
York, from which point he paid fire.
quent visits to The Cedars. Sitting in
his office one day, and, poring over a
law dictionary, he was rather surprised
to receive from his father letter set
ting forth tho good points OF certain
nameless young lady, and urging upon
him the advisability Of marrying her,
and finally settling in life.
well, in the name Of all that's holy,
he calculated, that must be answered.
And so it was. To such purpose that
it sent his easily moved father into
towering passion. Alice was summoned.
And that young lady, looking quite cool
and composed, came tripping into the
room prepared for a scene, and wonder
ing what had occurred to disturb the
equilibrium of her uncle's temper.
well, uncle?" she said, with concil-
iatory inquiry.
Well, uncle" he mimicked. "Yol
come in smiling and mincing, just as
though there were no impudent young
scamp in the world.
Il dare say there are great many,
she rejoined agreeably; "and old ones,
too, for that matter"
What do you mean?" he broke In,
quick to take exception to her words.
| But, Lord" what's the use Of arguing
with girl? Here! read this letter and
tell me if you consider it the proper
| thing for an impertinent puppy to write
| to his father?"
He thrust the letter in her hand, and
her eyes glanced over the somewhat
aggressive chirography, while its mean
| dawned upon her.
DEAR RESPECTED PATER-Yours Of
the 10Th inst. duly to hand. Contents
noted. Would say in answer that am
very well satisfied with my present
state of single blessedness, and while
appreciating your interest in my behalf,
| I prefer to choose my own partner, when
| I elect to assume the cares Of domestic
life.
Though the Bible says it is not good
for man to be alone, it is far more risky,
to my mind, to jog along in double har-
ness, unless the old mare is to ones
liking.
i've been doing finely; winning
golden opinions on all sides. l am fear
full Of becoming too great, and Black
stone has a tendency to monotony; so
1 have very serious intentions Of put
ting the old boy aside and gaining
laurels with my pen. Visions Of future
greatness pass before my eyes, and
pardon this blot; it is the outcome Of my
! perturbed feelings-who knows but that
In the dim and misty future you may be
known not as Col. Barton merely, but
as Col. Barton, the father Of Cuthbert
Barton. Does your heart swell with
pride at the thought?
Now, to descend from the heights Of
ambition to ordinary reality. The city
grows warmer every day. Nothing OF
any moment transpiring. The last hot
wave knocked the bottom out of the
market, and everybody is now busy pro.
pounding the question Of the day, is il
hot enough for you?
I'm thinking you have the best OF it
down there, and I have serious inten'
tions of dropping on your rural fold and
enjoying some argumentatiVe tete-a.
tetes with you. Meantime I cant
write any more. hear Thompson out
side, hopping up the steps after his
usual fashion. In q second I'll see his
classic couutenance, with his grinning
mouth within an unimportant distance
of his flap-like ears, stuck through the
door, and then farewell thought.
% nee more assuring you Of my thor
ough contentment with my present state
in this world Of sin and sorrow. and de.
cling the wife with thanks, I am, yours
most dutifully,
"CUTHBERr BARTON"
$50 you've been Offering him wife,
remarked Alice, when she had finished
the letter and returned it to her uncle
Il told him it was time for him to GET
married, was the short reply. This
is his answer, the rascal. Prefers
to choose his own partner. Wants an
old mare to his liking. Let him get
l. Sol. - t,,ix- -tspT