Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-09-28
HIS WOOING.


dwelling in one of the chief streets
Il in Manchester, Immediately under
the roof. dwelt young man by the
name of FOote. He had just passed
through one of the chief engineering
schools IN England with great credit.
Unfortunately he had been thinking
of inyenting an automatic brake" to
keep railway engines from running
through each other when meeting on
single rack. Full of this idea, he had
declined some rather advantageous pro-
posals in order to give himself entirely
day and night to the perfection Of plans
and models for this invention.
One day on the staircase, or rather
on the first floor landing, he came face
to face with a beautiful young girl,
blonde.
She came and she disappeared.
The next day Foote chanced to find
himself on that same landing at that
same hour. and-more fortuitous still
the girl referred to passed him again.
This time-at least 1t seemed so-she
bluShed as she passed.
After which, with due precaution, he
pretty girl that lived on the first floor.
and was more than charmed to find
that 1t was Miss Flora Valentine"
Foote, who was as reckless person
ally as he was devoted TO his fellow be-
ings. made a careful examination of his
poor wardrobe, dressed himself in the
best OF the lot and descended to Flora's
father, no other, in fact, than Mr.. Val
entine, proprietor of this pretentious
dwelling, and blurtly addressed to him
the following request:
II have the honor, sir of asking you
for yosr daughters hand"
''Eh? What? My daughters hand?"
cried the old man. For whom, if you
please?"
For myself"
For yourself-but are you not my
lodger of the top 1oor-right up there.
under the eaves?'
THE same, sir"
Then what is aniss with your head.
young man? Don't you know that my
daughter has $4,000? And you, what
have your
And the poor young man retired dis
consulate.
That visit, however, which had such
disastrous results for the inventor,
made but a passing impression upon
the mind of Flora's father. That which
made his face so anxious some twenty
four hours later was the fact that his
drawing room fire had suddenly begur
30 smoke like a trooper.
Ln'Rot haste he sent for his builder
and surveyor; in hot haste, putting
with importance and running, the
builder came.
But your chimney, sir, was built by
my plan" said the builder; that is to
say, 1t cannot smoker'
"All the same, sir, the chimney
smokes"
Because you burn coal in it. Burn
coke, and coke entirely. You'll get a
good, clear fire."
But the substitution of coke for coal
did not make the chimney draw a Whit
the better. The fumes from the coke
were something dreadful. Mr.. valen-
tine went himself 10 the best architect
in the town and begged htm to come
and look into the matter.
The architect consented, and, the ex-
animation made. was exceedingly
frank in the expression Of his opinion
who is the blockhead that built the
thing?' said he.
"Hodgkinson, my builder"
$50 l thought. Extend the chimney
FIVE feet higher to increase the draft
and 1t will go all right.
The chimney was raised, but still 1t
smoked. and the architects bill was
higher than the stack.
Disguised with architects. Mr.. Val
entine.. then addressed himself to
sweeps.
The drawing room was now bluer
than country tap room. At this june
ture the cook Interposed.
Zone of the top dodgers. sir, says rs
how be can stop the chinlbly smoking"
Bring him here, then. Immediately"
And quick as lightning Foote-for
Foote it was-was down from his lofty |
height at Mr.. Valentines bidding.
oh its you. is it?" said he. that
.lal-. . '..!' 80 cure ir five minutes nm
incurable chimney. No matter. Go on;
have a try. l want to sec you do It."
I'VE minutes ~ Tdlner DTlel. WauI |
an hour"
Then an hour you shall have. Name
your price
Sir" answered Foote, with dignity, |
you will give me the hand of Miss Val
entlne! That is my price, to be paid
only after success"
For chimney You are cra2y.
man"
For a chimney. sir. no; for that
chimney, yes. Call in, if you like. all
the builders in Manchester. and II the
whole Of them can do in three months
time what l am going 10 do in one houi',
namely. keep this and all other chin
news i'll the condition of this enc from
sm OkiDg, | cUnSent that you call III
krave and fool both.'
so be it; have Your way. Ia off. Do
as you please in peace and quiet"
No peeps thra@sh the keyholeT'
Il agree to it,
"And If l succeed I've your promis'
Miss FIora's hand:"
'>Come, coHe. sir. begin your work
I'm a usn ef Justice
But once alone. Mr.. Foote, instead
and beginning his work. h,
gan losing his time in idle trifling, high
In 70 ta tho vifr NJ tho