River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-01-17

A few days after ThaddeuS Fleld
receipt of Stella Gamers" letter he
received an important visit. The
tall footman opened the double doors,
and bowed in a handsome man OF
middle age-a man with blue eyes,
crisp, iron-gray hair and beard, and
dazzling white teeth Thaddeus Field
was impressed, and rose graciously
as Pierre, the footman, retired.
The newcomer held out his hand.
Mr.. Thaddeus Field?" he said.
II am Mr.. Thaddeus Field" an
swered that gentleman, assuming his
official dignity.
His visitor bowed
II am Stephen Osborne" he ex-
planned stephen Montgomery Os-
borne, at your service"
pray be seated" said Thaddeus,
offering a chair
Mr.. Osborne sat down, and crossed
his legs.
deus, "can I have the pleasure of
serving you?"
Stephen Osborne laughed out
heartily.
Il want wife" he answered.
What kind of a wife do you want,
Mr.. Osborne?" Thaddeus asked.
Stephen Osborne seemed embarras-
sed
ITO be quite honest, Mr.-Mr
Field he replied, 1T isn't SO much
the kind of wife / want, as the kind
of wife I've got to have"
Indeed" said Thaddeus, puzzled.
Yes said his client, irritably; 81
haven't great deal of time. You see,
when l was bit younger l was fool
enough to tell my papa, who had mar
ried again. was the only child of
the first marriage l would never
marry if l couldn't get some one a
little better looking than my new
step-ma. So we quarreled and parted,
and when the old boy died last win
ter--there were no more children, and
step-ma died some years ago-he left
me his money on condition that
married a girl uglier than step-ma,
and gave me IL months to make up
my mind, didn't expect ever to need
the money, and so took it easy, but
some of my speculations have done
deucedly bad, and l must have some
cash before long or go bust. That's
why I'm here
Thaddeus Fields eyes shone-it
was just the kind of case be liked.
IF you will call tomorrow about
n1I
think | shall have something to say.
Good-day."
With this comforting assurance he
rang the bell, and Mr. Osborne de-
parted.
That afternoon Mrs Christina
Field left for Boston. Her instruc-
tons were not to return without Miss
Stella Garner"
On the succeeding morning Chris
tian, accompanied by closely-veiled
lady, entered the anteroom. Chris
tina left her charge and went into her
husbands sanctum. Thaddeus was
standing on the hearth-rug, chewing
his mustaches with Impotence.
"Will she do?' he asked.
Christian grinned.
"As ugly as SIM" she said; "but
smart"
That's all right" concluded Thad-
deus; bring her in"
Christina opened the door and
called. The yelled lady rose and en-
tered.
Miss Garner, I understand" said
Thaddeus. rapidly; pleased to meet
you. Miss Garner, l want you 20 see
a gentleman; if you can like him, l
think he can like you. If you take g.
fancy to him | shall be happy to ask
you to meet him at my house some
evening soon. l can't stop to explain.
You must just step in there with my
wife, and leave yourself in her hands
You'll be able to see all right; our
mans almost due"
No sooner mad the two ladies been
safely disposed of than Mr.. Osborne
was shown in, and was soon in deep
converse with Thaddeus.
Thanks to the tact of Mr. Thaddeus
Field, Mr.. Osborne laughed and chat
tered and looked so merry and hand
some that the lady behind the carved
screen lost her heart to him, and
when Mr.. Field escorted Mr.. Osborne
out, and the door closing behind them.
the ladies were at liberty to come
forth again, Miss Stella Garner
laughed herself. and chatted, and
looked not so ugly after ALL And Mr..
Stephen Osborne, who with Thaddeus
had gone round another way into the
hidden cupboard, that the former
might spy upon Miss Garner as she
had spied upon him, drew a. deep
breath. and whispered to the matr1-
monial agent, Il suppose l can't do
better-she seems a decent sort"
Quite the lady, / assure you, Mr..
Osborne" murmured the willy Thad-
deus in his ear; ''any amount of &C.
complishments-yo and q little
bit of money in the bank. Will you
come up to my house tonight? I'll
ask her round too"