Year: 1862




cabulary of Webster's latest edition, was at
length constrained to wind up by the assur-
ance that but one thing was lacking 10 rem
der me supremely happy, and that was as
you have already conjectured, the legal right
to be the protector and possessor of his love-
ly daughter, and that hoped he would have
now no further objection to our union.


Now, it happened that had in c., a
cousin named Bob Tracy, who was the own
er of a beautiful bay mare, on whom for some
time past | had cast numerous wistful glanc-
es, and considering that refusal to my re-
quest was entirely out of question, deter
mined to drop him few lines, desiring him
not to stipulate for the disposal of the afore-
said mare until such time as should have
chance to confer with him. as l thought it
highly probable could make an offer for her
| which he would be willing to accept; so
dashed off hasty note, and having folded,
sealed and superscribed both missiyes, [ con-
| signed them to the post office and returned
to my duties with view of Willing away the
time as patiently as possible until l could
have sufficient leisure to enable me to ascer-
tain the result of my petition.


However YEARLY the wheels of time may
| sometimes drag on, yet they never have been
known to cease their revolutions entirely
and thus in my case, although the space in
tervening between my despatching the letters
and my visit to their destination seemed in
termlnahly long, yet it finally passed away
and at length one fine morning found me
comfortably ensconed in the ears, dashing on
at furious rate in the direction Of G-and
in few hours | reached the goal upon which
were fixed my highest hopes, which, alas for
the disappointment to which We are all of US
more or less liable at times to be subjected
as the sequel will show, were destined never
to be realized, hopes which proved TO be un-
substantial foundation upon which | had
been building my airy castles but will not
anticipate.


Immediately upon my arrival in CT re-
paired to hotel, to put myself in the proper
| trim, prior to calling at the house of my pros
pectlve friend. Having made an unexceptioa-
able toilet, set out with beating heart and
sort ofnervOus impatience, and after short
walk found myself at Mr.. Mayburn's door |
rang the bell, which was answered by the
servant, who at once ushered me INTO the sit
ting room, where were Carrie and her father.
both of whom regarded me an instant with
looks OF surprise and wonder, when, to my
astonishment, the former arose. and without
naught save slight perceptibe nod of rec
ognlton, glided out of the door. How to &C
count for this strange conduct, was thing
utterly beyond my comprehension for
moment was dumb founded, but as I recov-
cred myself, turned towards the father as
though to ask solution Of the mystery. |
did not have long to wait, for, with face re-
sembling a surcharged thunder. cloud, the old
gentleman suddenly burst forth


Well, sir, you are scoundrel and william
and a more consummate specimen of concen-
trated audacty, effrontery and impudence, as
You now prove yourself to be in polluting my
house with your containing presence, never
saw p


To say was astonished would be but a
faint way of expressing it. was completely
taken aback, but finally, managed to find my
speech, when l politely requested him to ex
plain himself, as was not aware that I had
been guilty Of any act to merit these animad-
versions.


Explain, sill why, what do you mean
you contemplate puppy after having most
grossly insuled my daughter as well as my
self-a fact which we have ample testimony
in your own handwriting you dare to
come and deny to my face any know ledge of
the fact whatever ?n


This was something was entirely unpre-
pared for, and looked long and earnestly at
the man to see if he was insane or not. What
did he mean2. What preposterous idea =
offer an insult to his daughter her for
whom would cheerfully have laid down my
life, and felt only too thankful for the oppor-
tunity.


4hi' Jul odlu do oOOLi do L COulu
recover my faculties, L" will not be thus tri-
fled with any longer. l have never either by
word or decd, been the cause of woundiDg
your daughters feelings, and l."


But he seemed determined that should
have no chance to vindicate myself in any
way, and stopped me short by producing from
his pocket letter, which he thrust fercely
into my hand, saying as he did so


"There is undeniable proof; let US have no
more words about it. Leave my house and
never enter it again as long as you live, or
will have you pitched headforemost into tie
street.


Mechanically took the letter the hand
writing of which Immediately recognized as
my own, and ran my eye hurriedly over the
contents. Good heavens it was the note