The record-union., 1899-04-12
PAPA MADE HIS POINT.
hut the Youth Turned the Joke on
Him Just the Same.

Her father is a lawyer, with a face
severe enough to frighten a defendant
into hts, and with rigid ideas upon the
dlsciplining of daughters. His own
daughter happens to be particularly
charming, and when she does go home
from school venturesome youths flutter
around her, but her father has uncom-
promising objections to them If they
call the chances are against their see
ing the young woman, and if they do
get in they watch the clock with an
anxiety that dampens their enjoyment.
There is a tradition afloat that any one
staying later than 8 o'clock would be
thrown out. The girl has one admirer
who is abundantly supplied with that
| useful commodity known as nerve.
During the holidays he managed to see
her oftener than any of his rivals did,
but he always carefully observed the
time limit, and avoided paternal wrath
until the evening before the girls re-
turn to boarding-school.
Then he fingered, and when the clock
struck 8 he cheerfully disregarded it,
Half-past 8 came and the girl was
frightened, but the imperturbable youth
seemed unconscious that he was sitting
on the edge of a volcano and dangling
his feet in the crater. When the hands
of the clock pointed to 9:45i a heavy
| tread was heard in the hall The girl
looked frightened. but the cheerful
youth assumed an expression of pleas
ant expectation. The portieres were
| pushed aside, and an imposing and
| stony-faced butler walked into the
room. He carried a small silver tray,
| on which Law an oman ool6 watch opI
marching UP to the visitor, he held the
tray out toward him. The girl blushed
and writhed in modification. but the
young mans childlike and bland coun-
tenance expressed only incredulous
wonder and delight.
"Mr. McGregor's compliments. sir
said the frozen butler. holding the tray
at present arms Then, still holding it,
he turned to leave the room, but the
amiable young visitor made a quick
movement and took the watch from the
tray.
"Oh, this is too kind" he exclaimed
rapturously 81 never expected any
thing of the sort. Your father is too
generous" He turned to the girl with
innocent delight and gratitude written
in every line of his expressive face, and
slipped the watch into his waistcoat
pocket The buffers face underwent a
convulsion Then it relapsed into rigid
ity. and he left the room.
Il really must be going.' said the
youth. blithely sTell your father how
heartily I appreciate his thoughtful
generosity. I'll see him and thank him
myself. I'll board the train at Glen
dale tomorrow and ride to Dayton
with you Good night"
He slipped on his great overcoat and
was gone. The girl subsided in a limp
hysterical heap upon the divan and
listened for the sound of a raging do
mestic cyclone Next a murmur came
down the stairs. She stole stealthily
to bed The next morning she, appeared
at the breakfast table with very pink
cheeks and frightened eyes. Her father
looked at her over the morning paper
Could it be possible? There was an
twinkle in the eyes under
the fierce. shaggy brows.
Not a word was said about the even
ing episode The girl began to breathe
more esaily Suddenly there was ring
at the bell. The butler brought in
neat package and a note, and handed
them to Mr. McGregor. That dignified
gentleman put on his glasses and read
the note carefully. Then he took up
the newspaper and was lost behind it
for a few moments. He emerged, Sc
we're, unbending. but as he left the
room he dropped the note at his daugh-
ters plate
THAT young man will go to the
White House or the gallows," he re-
marked, with something in his voice
that sounded like a chuckle. The note
said:
MY Dear Mr.. McGregor: Last night
I was so overcome by your kindly gem
erosity that I accepted your splendid
gift without hesitation. More serious
deliberation has convinced me that
ought not to allow you to place me un-
der such weighty obligation. Believe |
me- I heartily appreciate your gener-
Gus motives, and am sincerely grateful.
although my conscience will not allow
me to take advantage of your frien.i-
ship"
IT positively believe papa liked it,
said the Cincinnati girl as she ended
her story-Chicago Inter Ocean.
Coronado water. Stockton sarsapa-
rilla and iron. champagne cider, ginger