The Wichita daily eagle., 1898-12-02
An Agreeable Surprise.


In a luxuriant room in the City of s.
sat an old man, his head resting on his
hand. and evidently in deep thought
Presently an elderly lady entered the
apartment. She was refined and gentle.
With an open letter in her hand she ap-
preached her husband.
My dear" she said, George Is coming
home from college tomorrow
Il was just thinking of him before you
entered, and, my dear, I-that is-we are
ruined
Impossible answered his wife
Unless L can raise $1,000 before next
Thursday We are ruined, and l see only
one way by which we can raise II, con-
tinued her husband
If 1 can help you in any way, pray
speak, and / wiz do what l can 10 neip
you, Harold
DO you remember my old friend Colonel
Belknap and his daughter Beatrice? They
have just returned from Italy. where
they have lived for the past twelve years.
Beatrice is a refined and accomplished
girl. and inherited large fortune at her
mothers death
''YoU remember when Bee and Georgie
were children, We used to watch them
at their play, and Belknap and L often
talked of the time 10 come when our
children should be united. Now, my dear,
when George arrives you must use your
influence with him and persuade him 10
marry Bee. And now that I have told
you all, let US call on the Belknaps."
An hour later a young couple entered.
SO this is your home, George" said
sweet voice. "Oh, how pretty
Yes, my dear. but not too pretty for
the little woman who is 10 be its mis-
tTess." replied the young husband.
But when can 1 see your ma and
pa?" asked the sweet voice. And,
George have YOU told them that we
have been married?"
mo, Mabel, l want it TO be a surprise.
And now 1 will go and inform them of our
arrival"
in the meantime. George. If you will
take me to my room l will make myself
as fresh as a daisy for their inspec-
ton
We'll" said the young man, entering
the apartment again in a few minutes,
''as long as mamma and papa are out
and Mabel is resting, 1 may as well take
nap myself" and he stretched himselff
on a sofa and was soon going over AL
the details of his courtship. He was ava
kened by his mothers voice, and soon
embraced her.
and how are you. papa"
George you are old enough now to
stop calling me papa"
Very well. papa-I mean dad. I will
call you father or dad hereafter"
'Just then a voice was heard calling
"Georgiei" Both parents looked q: each
other in amaZement. Presently the voice
was heard again.
"Oh. it's friend that I brought home
from college with me. All. here she is.
This is Mabel mean Tompkins, mother
ami father"
I'm right glad to see you, even If Geor-
eie did say you would be shocked at my
western ways; but you see l can't help ii.
I've lived out west all my life; didn't
want to go to school, only dad said must,
and TO please him / went. 1t was then
that George and 1 met. We fell in love
and got married. (Groans OF agony from
the parents at the word married) And
as father owns a gold mine, In which you
have claim. l came home with George
20 tel you that the mine is progressing
splendidly, and dad sends his compliments
and hopes you viii be good 10 his only
little girl
'Good, I should say we will be good
to yOu!" exclaimed both parents.
But George, why didn't you write TO
US about it?''
80, wanted 1t to be a surprise, dad"
The fond parents looked at each other
as much as to say. THAT surprise saved
US from ruin. Lillian Levensen in Bos-
ton Post