Year: 1878

| -
Bob White was all very we'll in his way,
but no sort of a match for my daughter
Rosalie. She was my one eve lamb
the bonniest, best, and dearest little
girl the sun ever shone upon. And be-
sides all this, there was the secret con-
seriousness that she could, if she wanted
to, dress "in silk attire, and siller hae
to spare" hadn't lived in plain way
all these years for nothing. People
about me began to realize that although
Brown lived in small house, he was a
man Of no inconsiderable means. Black
had Ii. ,uaged to convey this intelligence
to them, and I found no fault with this
friendliness on his part. Old White
never thought of such thing as taking
the seat beside me now on our way down
in the train; it was generally filled by
more popular parties, and I began to
take quite an interest in the social and
political points of discussion.


All this cost me considerable in the
way of time and money. My games of
cribbage were few and far between, and
I put my name to all the subscriptions
they chose to get up; but I didn't mind
the money, and I had long since deter
mined that the less Rosalie saw of young
White the better. The color grew little
less vivid in her rounded cheeks, and the
light less mischievous and joyous in her
eyes, but Sarah said-I thought this
was really more suitable name. for my
wife's years and dignity-that her beauty
was growing more and more refined
every day. It had even lately attracted
the attention of Mr.. Percival Green, the
Junior member of Blacks firm, and
Green was one Of those live, active bust
ness fellows who are sure to make his
mark in the world. T told my wife to
spare no expense for Rosalie's advance
ment and happiness. but was sorry to
see lack of spirit upon her part, and a
quiet denial to partake Of these new
pleasures of popularity.


One thing was certain-radicsl meas
ures must be taken to put gulf be-
tween her and Bob White that could
not readily be bridged over. The whole
White family were proud as Lucifer,
and T knew should have very little
trouble in convincing them that the old
intimacy had better be broken off. My
new house on the Boulevard began to
take noble dimensions, and had already
cost me a mint of money. Its marble
halls were spacious enough to chill me
to the bone, and there was quite a mel
ancholy expanse of mud and masonry
inits vicinity.


1t rather surprised me, when I put
our snug little place in the hands of the
agent, that my wife was 80 willing to
part with the furniture too. I thought
few OF the familiar old time-servers
might be used to advantage somewhe ere.
in the new house, and I confess to q
feeling of keen disappointment when she
decided that everything must go. "We
don't want to set up a secondhand junk
shop on the Boulevard" said Sarah; and
I was ashamed to foster these old-fash-
ioned sentiments, till one morning I
found Rosalie crying over my old arm
chair in the sitting-room. It was
bungling old trap, covered with queer
pattern Of chintz, where the tail OF each
bird-of-paradise had gradually faded
with many washing. But the bulgy
back seemed to have fitted itself to my
weary spine, and the well-worn arms of
the chair were always cordially held out
to me. I .-. ,.


,"I am glad you've got tear or two
to spare, Rosy" I said, sat parting
with old friends. I'll never get another
80 lenient with my rickety bones"


"I'll never part with it father" said
Rosaie. And T didn't care to tell her of
her mothers decree.


In the meantime. however, I had
broken the intelligence to poor Bob, as
kindly as I could, that it would be bet
ter to cease his visits at the house. I
think, as we'll as I remember, that I did
put the blame upon my wife. I was
glad to see that he took my communica-
ton in manly, practical way, and bore
up under it wonderfully. It troubled
me that Rosalie seemed to take the mat
ter so much more to heart. Young
Green's turnout was seen quite fire.
quently at our door that winter, and I
was tired of my wife's apologies about
the house and it's appurtenances. Every
dey that drew me nearer TO the draughty
chaos on the Boulevard. lent warmer
charm TO the snug little home Twas
leaving, and I found I was not alone in
my appreciation5 No sooner had it be-
come known that my little place was in
the market than offers began to pour in
from different quarters. All these offers
were referred to the agent, who told me
one morning as he was passing that the
house had been rented and the furniture
sold some time since to young married
couple.
HHere's another pair in search Of 6
tnuptial nest, said, as I propped upar
ingeniously carved bit of. d cigar box or
the maple tree beneath my window.
felt a little blue as I went in to my
breakfast, and had scarcely broken my
egg when the bell rang, and I fount
Black at the door. His face was ashy
pale, and his hand trembled upon hi
gold headed Cane. (
Ia more bad news" I stammeret
out, for some speeulations of ours hae
turned out very diBastrously OF late. -


elm ruined man" said Black, sink
ing into chair BY the parlor door.


Big beads ofterror started to my Owl
forehead.


"Green has disappeared, the scoun
drel," said Black, "and of course 1 shal


be accused of completely with the de
faulter.""


Naturally" said, dryly, for L wa


too wretohed myself to have any sym
pathy to spare. s,.s.z.. =,


"This is a!confdential visit, Brown,


continued Black. 81 shall have to fal


back upon what little money remains t'


my wife, and I've come around here O


her suggestion to hire this little plac


OF yours for the coming year"