The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-11
SAVANNAH. GA. SUNDAY. APRIL II, 1897

1T looked very well on a mercantile
prospectus" said George, interrupting his
prospective father-in-law, although"
Pardon me-" said the major; IF you
will insist upon referring TO that unfor-
tunate company. 1 must close this inter
view"
Il am not here to annoy YOU. major"
"It Is we'll" said the major, land let
me add that you have put to me a hypo-
thetlcal case. BE good enough to make It
plain. Meanwhile, may | offer you ci-
gar?"
THANK YOU" said George helping him
self from the majors case, and lighting
the Havana with elaboration.
Now sir" said the major, Ito business.
You have flung out your skirmishers, you
have felt my position, there are no mask
ed batteries, you know exactly where 1
am, and what my force is-what do you
want?"
ITO offer you the position / have de-
scribed to you in connection with China
tea trade the honoranium paid in adj
vance by Weldon & Son of London, Chel-
tenham Bristol and Canton" said
George. zone of the richest firms in the
trade"
Never heard of It," said the major
''My father is the entire firm; to-day he
has resolved to give his son half the bus
mess, with an income of three thousand
a year. to-day he invites your co-opera-
ton in this thriving concern; to-day he
has decided to make its headquarters,
London; to-day the junior partner has
made up his mind to enter parliament ana
win his way, il not to the peerage, at least
to a barony.
"Indeedv'
Eyes, and that junior partner viii fulfil
his ambition as sure as you will do his
firm the honor of travelling to China for
Weldon and Son. And why? Because his
one hope in life is to make your daughter
a lady of title"
George spoke with force, but with sup
pressed emotion that appealed to the old
soldier.
by CAD, you have an ingenious way Of
asking a father for his daughters hand"
said the major, land | bm not sure that
you have not conquered me"
II love your daughter, sir with all my
heart, l respect and admire her. 1 know
your devotion to her; can settle a thou
sand year on her, and in honor of her
father, can give up quiet life and fight
my way to public position--and by Jupi-
ter will do itr'
"Ry CAD, sir / believe you" exclaimed
the major, starting to mis- feet, you have
taken this battery by Storm It's deuced
democratic age; hold the empire together
with tea or gunpowder. don't care which,
that's all l ask. Confound 1t, sir, you
have smashed up all my defenses, I strike
to YOU my daughter owered her flag to
you long ago and hated you on that ac-
count, foreswore your tea, had concluded
to leave the place, to retreat bag and bag
gage; but damme. sir, Ella is always right,
never knew her makeaa mistake; you shall
be my son-in-law"
George, you see, had learned more than
belongs to books. He had studied men, and
this Major Denning in particular. His first
diplomatic success was IA good start in the
public race for which he had entered him
self. Love had an inspiration for him be-
yond tea AMI a quiet life. He was proud
of his pretty and ACCOMPLISHED wife and
mis- father and mother were young enough
to watch his political career, ard his ia
Their rich enough to help it. He won his
first contest for a seat in the House of
Commons; and within ten years was a
baronet of the United Kingdom. Major
Denning lived to brag Of his influential
son-in-law, Sir George; and to-day there
is no happier wife and 10 mere popular
hostess in Cheltenham or Mayfair than
the pretty and accomplished Lady We'll
don, whose husband won her heart and
hand when he was only a shopkceper.
The End.