The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1913-12-19

1t might be said in passing that
Ways and Means Committee" in full
session. You see it was this way:
The lad and the girl with all the
ardor and folly of youth desired only
one thing-each other. They talked
by day and dreamed by night of a
loVe-lit cottage where they could re.
main always hand in hand encom.
passed by all the joys of love. They
were a likely pair too, high-bred, well
assorted, full of life and vigor and
hope and courage.
But, alas, there was the inevitable
stern parent-in this case the uncle
and guardian of the girl, Doctor Kirk.
And Ethel was only seventeen. And
she and Archie simply could not wait
four years.
So it was that the ways and means
committee sat in frequent session.
"Hurrah," he cried. I've got it. He
shall ask me to marry you"
Shall ring for the keeper" re-
sponded the girl. COR have you only
been drinking?"
Look here replied Archie "Ain't
the doctor shining around mother all
the time? Hasn't he got his greedy
eyes on mas quarter CT a million
Well, l guess
Pat"
mo butts now" he broke in. 81
must get it off my mind or I'll bust"
He marched bravely into the house
followed by Ethel and a storm of pro-
test.
Doctor Kirk" he said solemnly, aft.
er he had invaded that worthy's library
and seated himself under the ques.
tioning hostility of the shaggy brows.
81 have observed for long time youI
attentions to my mother"
The doctor grew purple, but the
boy went on fundamentally: And
will say frankly 1 have observed il
with pleasure for l always respected
and esteemed you SIR
well, sir"
This abrupt intersection nearly
floored the young man, but he never
finched.
well, sir" he replied. "There is q
circumstance which l thought you
should know before the affair goes
any further. According to the terms
of my fathers will, if my mother
marries before am of age, or am
married myself, the entire property,
her share as well as my own reverts
to me. And thought you should know
it. Not that l want to throw a straw
in your way. Quite the reverse, l as.
sure you. But as am the only man OF
the family and as these property mat.
ters should always be understood be.
tween gentlemen l thought it only
right to speak to you. l am not, OF
course. her confidant in such matters,
ly and-and l was afraid-well
thought it better to set things right
now"
"You young rascal" roared the doc.
tor, polling Archie with his cane. You
see too much. You don't mean to say
yONi lhOSASA 10 uSCOLblAS ihtSl CoISu IL
me-"
Il fear so, sir" replied Archie
gravely.
The doctor swelled up like a huge
turkey cock and chuckled:
"Lookee here" he said, turning sud.
denly on Archie, you've been shin,
ing about my Ethel ever since
can remember. Why don't you bring
things to head? Great Scott, young
man, when l was young we used to
marry early and get good start"
I'm afraid she wouldn't have me-"
replied the conspirator shamelessly.
flush, tush," rejoined the doctor.
Faint heart ne'er won fair lady, sir.
I'll bet she'd jump at the chance.
You've got a pretty fortune coming
and you're well-favored young
buck"
Il feared also that you would op.
pose her marriage so young" remarked
Archie meekly.
mot at all, not at ALL" replied the
doctor. Ridiculous, this talk against
youthful marriages. It's the time to
marry"
Within an hour Archie led the
blushing and still unbelieving Ethel
into the dreaded lions den and they
knelt to receive the blessing OF her
guardian.
Her Viewpoint,