Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-12-24

out an Interior motive was one he never
entertained for an instant. What would
he want? What did he mean!
CHAPTER V.
silence of some five minutes ensued
between the two men the old lawyer
was anxious that the tempting bait he
held out should be thoroughly gorged be-
fore he was called upon to state upon
what terms all this might be brought
about His best experience of men told
him that there was no such mistake in
life as hurrying-an axiom most OF US
learn, though generally too late but to
derive minor advantages therefrom.
This sounds too good to be true, Pear
man." at length remarked the squire. If
it can be done, you must have some in
fernal rider to the proposition, that it is
hardly possible l should assent to"
1T is not likely that this can be brought
about without some valuable assistance
from yourself" rejoined the solicitor
But will you bear steadfastly in your
mind the great advantages that will &C
crue Immediately to yourself, and ulti-
mately to Miss Denison? VIII you, more
over, be good enough to hear me patiently
to the end?"
The squire nodded an impatient as
sent.
You must, of course, be quite aware
that now Miss Denison has arrived at q
manageable age, her great personal at
fractions have claimed the attention of
good many young men in the county"
The attorney paused, but his auditor
looked grimly at the fire, and expressed
his feelings by neither word nor gesture.
well. a young gentleman of consider
able property, and still better cxpecta-
lions, who has had the privilege of meet
ing Miss Denison, is so struck with her
charms and accomplishments that he has
commissioned me to ask your permission
to try whether he cannot succeed in in
ducing her TO accept him as a husband.
On the point of family he is quite aware
that he has no pretensions to Miss Deni-
sons hand; but as regards income, l
think there would be nothing to be de-
sired
WHO do you mean?" broke in the
squire. Has Maude given him any en-
enlargement. that you come with this
story to me?
My dear sir, his acquaintance with
Miss Denison is far too slight for any
thing of that kind ever to have been even
! thought of on his part. He is merely
| anxious to have your permission to try
his luck. Without that, believe me, he
would never dare to aspire to your
daughters hand"
! All this show of Difference induced the
| squire to listen to the proposition, at all
| events. quietly. Who on earth Pearman
| could have in his eye he had no idea.
| That he could mean his son all this time
| never entered Harold Denison's head. He
certainly knew he had a son. but, mix
ing so little as he did in the county now,
| he had barely seen him, nor had he but at
odd times even heard of him.
But who is it, man? Let's know the
name of this bashful sutton? It's a
quality one sees little enough of in these
! days"
My son, Mr., Denison, is the gentle
man who solicits your permission to do
! his best to win your daughter
Your son Why''-and here the squire
stopped. perfectly thunderstruck. 1t was
! a dwelling age. he knew; that the tide
| Of democracy was at the flood, he was
| aware that our cherished institutions
were looked on with disdain, that there
we're people who saw no virtue in coro-
nets. and thought an Established Church
WORKOUT institution that it would be
as we'll to do away with, he had heard
| but that the son of a confounded money
lending attorney should presume to dream
of mating with DeniSon of Glinn he
mad never contemplated. For few min
utes he was literally speeches. then al
the pride of race surged up. He came
of line of whom it had been often sale
that their tongues were as sharp ant
ready as their swords.
Excuse me-" he remarked - was no
aware that the times were so far advanc
ed that our daughters were. regarded a.
| salable commodities out of their owl
class of life | was not aware that tn,
social gap between myself and my solici
tor was so effectually bridged over. You
son. sir. will have to take his chanc,
with the young man from the butcher s
and Mr. Muffatee. who keeps the draper
establishment in minister. l shall no
presume to influence Miss Denison in he
choice"
Old Pearman had many times in th
course of his career moralized upon th
anything but the squire's sneer brough
the blood TO his pale temples.
You take a high hand. sir-a higl
hand. | asked you to listen to me pa
tiently, and you insult me. l spoke t.
you humbly enough to start with; bu
tell you now that wealth chooses it
mate from blood in these days, and tina
many as well-born as Miss Denison hav
married not a bit better lineage thai
!, mine
Perhaps so. People forget themselve
in all classes. and forfeit their socia
status: but it's getting time for none
grubbers TO learn one thing, and that i
that possession of all the gold in Cali
: fornia does not constitute gentleman
r or enttle a man TO claim alliance wit
gentle blood -
l The old solicitors lips quivered an
5 his lean fingers played neryously with hi
j watch chain. as he replied:
5 II did not come here TO argue on
mutual social position. l came here
afford an embarrassed man, for whom
, have a sincere regard, in spite of all tn
= hard names he heaps upon me. an oppol
/ tunity of freeing himself from those er
which gave him a chance of in some wa
- repairing the evil that the early follie
e of his youth had entailed on his chile
e destined to pay her full share of such II
discretions. The days of such prejudice
h are past, l tell you, Mr.. Denison; an
once more l ask you not to give me a
: answer now, but TO reflect upon the PR
: posal / have made TO YOU
y You do US too much honor. Mr.. Pea
t man. Permit me to observe that l mu;
T decline all further consideration of tt
: subject 1 am perfectly convinced the a
: lance you propose with such delicior
I oblivion of all status of society would
extremely unsuitable. Allow me to nah
l. Miss ,Denison's acknowledgements for tt
n distinction you would have conferred upo
If her, and to ring for your carriage"
VERY rood sir-yery good" cried Il