Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1909-08-13

uteS he was literally speechless; then ali
the pride Of race surged up. He came
Of line of whom it had been often said
that their tongues were as sharp and
ready as their swords.
Excuse me-" he remarked; II was not
aware that the times were so far advanc-
ed that our daughters were regarded as
salable Commodities out Of their own
class of life. l was not aware that the
social gap between myself and my solicit
tor was SO effectually bridged over. Your
son, sir, will have to take his chance
with the young man from the ba2cher's
and Mr.. Muffatee, who keeps the Aaper's
establishment in Xminster. ] shall not
presume to influence Miss Denison in her
choice"
Old Pearman had many times in the
course of his career moralized upon the
weakness of losing ones temper about
anything, but the squire's sneer brought
the blood to his pale temples.
You take a high hand, sir-a high
hand. l asked you to listen to me pa
tlently, and you insult me. l spoke to
you humbly enough to start with; but
l tell you now that wealth chooses its
mate from blood in these days, and that
many as well-born as Miss Denison have
married not bit better lineage than
mine"
Perhaps so. People forget themselves
In all classes, and forfeit their social
status; but it's getting time for money
grubbers to learn one thing, and that is
that possession of all the gold in Cali
fornia does not constitute a gentleman,
or entitle a man to claim alliance with
| gentle blood! !"
| The old solicitors lips quivered, and
MS lean fingers played nervously with his
watch chain, as he replied
Il did not come here to argue our
mutual social position. l came here ia
afford an embarrassed man, for whom
nave sincere regard, in spite of all the
hard names he heaps upon me, an oppor-
tunity of freeing himself from those ep-
tanglements. | advanced a proposition
which gave him chance of in some way
repairing the evil that the early follies
OF his youth had entailed on his child
destined to pay her full share of such in.
discretions The days of such prejudices
are past, l tell you, Mr.. Denison; and
once more l ask you not to give me an
posal have made to you"
You do us too much honor, Mr.. Pear
man. Permit me to observe that l must
decline all further consideration of the
subject. l am perfectly convinced the al.
lance you propose with such a delicious
oblivion of all status of society would be
extremely unsuitable Allow me to make
Miss Denison's acknowledgment for the
distinction you would have conferred upon
her, and to ring for your carriage"
Every good, sir-very good" cried the
old attorney, as he rose in his wrath
the time will come, maybe, when you'll
think that old Sam Pearman would have
been good man to have had at your back
l say nothing, Mr. Denison but you'll
find that you have not made many great
er mistakes In your career than this morn
ings work" And, muttering to himself
the irate old gentleman left the room.
II wonder what the world Is coming
to" muttered Harold Denison. "ThC
idea Of a child of mine marrying the SOL
of a money-lending solicitor p
Then his thoughts reverted to that ter
thousand pound mortgage and the angry
words of the old man at parting, and h,
IeheCteu' uOoullJ' lhdt tueIe was HUN
likelihood of much time being granted
anent the payment of the interest in flu
ture; indeed, it was more than probable
that Pearman, In his anger, would call il
his money. All which considerations har
assed Harold Denisons mind not little
and he thought, if it had to be done again
he would reject the old lawyers proposal
with rather more courtesy.
Ito be continued.)