The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1907-12-07
The Result of a BIunder.
IOriS.uali

Il
and had but one child. a daughter. to
inherit il. This daughter. Amelia. be
sent TO school and 10 college. She de-
veIoped literary tastes, but Of this her
fa1aer knew nothing for be had no
knowledge whatever of literature.
The Light of Asia he supposed she
referred to the illuminating substance
used in that part Of the globe. On
hearing her say that she had spent the
morning with "DOmbey aud Son be
tod her to have the bill sent in at
once. since he was closing up all out
standing accounts. Very Hard Cash
he supposed meant Il specie basis.
So frequent were these bunders that
Amelia dreaded to speak OF anything
beyond her fathers ken, for he was
liable TO mortify her by hurting them
out in the presence of educated people.
Indeed the old man was rather fond
of taking the lead in conversation. and
the less he knew about a subject the
more anxious he was TO prove his IA
miliarity with il. There was but one
subject on which he was reticent-tht
affairs of Shook & Co
Mr. Shook, not having a son 10 whom
to leave his business. had brought up
a young man from Office boy to sue
coed him in its management This
man, Thomas Jones, he desired should
marry his daughter. Jones was tine
business man and fine fellow. and
Amelia liked him very well, though
she didn't care TO communicate the
fact to her father or to Mr.. Jones.
Jones was even more anxious for the
match than his employer. He was not
insensible to its advantages and was
desperately in love with the girl. But,
while he did not fear TO tackle any
man on a business proposition. he had
no courage whatever in telling a wOm-
an that he loved her. The consequence
was that the match hung fire. Jones
meanwhile dreaded lest the old man
would take a hand to bring 1t about
and spoil il all.
One afternoon Mr. Shook went home
! from the office to find his family CAD
ding. Some one was ringing on the
| telephone. He took down the receiver.
as Miss Shook in?" called the soft
| voice OF a woman.
"No. Any message for her?'
Tell her Adam Bede' has just come
! in"
adam whO?"
"Bede B-e-d-e."
I in, 4 toll
that was unexpressed by Mr.. Shook.
We'll, I'll be jinged. | never thought
that Of Amelia. | didn't believe she'd
meet any one IN an undetermined
way"
The phone was not working very
we'll. There were some incoherent
words. ending with Nicholas Nicol-
by next week"
Great heavens" muttered the ia
Their to himself. is she playing two
| Of 'em?"
ANY uore?" he asked. assembling.
Tristan Shandy' will What fol
lowed was not TO be distinguished.
please repeat the name"
Tristan Shandy' tunintelligible
wordsl 'Sterne.'"
What Sterne?"
Laurence"
Just so. Now. will you listen to
me-"
Yes. What is it?''
you have Thomas Jones there to
morrow afternoon at 3 O'Clock. pune
tooal. and don't you forgit it,
TON Jones' by Smollett:"
tom Jones by his father-Thomas
]. Jones. managing man Of Shook &
Co"
who's talking:"
I'm Miss Shocks father"
There was a brief pause. then, "All
right, Mr.. Shook: I'll do as you say"
A faint giggle accompanied the click
that marked the hanging up of the re
ceiver. but Mr.. Shook was too much
in earnest TO notice il.
The next afternoon at o'clock there
was a telephone ring. Miss Shook re
Sponded.
Mr.. Jones is here"
Where"
AT the library"
Amelia was astoniShed. She was
about TO ask for an explanation wher
it occurred to her that the least said
The soonest mended. She didn't care
70 let the librarian into any affair thai
had gone wrong. Her father was liza
BILE to interfere between her and Mr.
Jones at any time. She would 60 and
get the explanation from Mr.. Jone:
herself
All right: I'll be over in few min
utes"
She found Mr.. Jones pacing to ant
fro nervouSly. She led him into ar
alcove
Well" she said. what can do fo
you?"
What can | do for you? The Ii
brarian sent me a line saving vol
would like 10 see me here at o'clock
! There was conference during
l which Miss Shook went to the libra
} rian and learned that the message ha(
come from her father. Indeed, sh,
drew forth the whole dialogue
l Singular" she muttered. that nI,
, name should be Amelia and his Ton