Chapter 18 - Page 2

and amiable person are all I seek, and I only regret that she is so rich. I
should be the happiest fellow in the world, Mr. Monson, if the angelic
Julia had not a cent."

"The angelic Julia must be infinitely indebted to you, Mr. Thurston; but
let us take up this affair in order. What am I to understand, sir, by your
being referred?"

"That Miss Julia, in answer to my suit, has referred me to you, sir."

"Then, so far as she herself is concerned, you wish me to understand
that she accepts you?"

"Certainly--she accepted, some time since, with as heavenly a 'yes' as
ever came from the ruby lips of love."

"Indeed! This is so new to me, sir, that you must permit me to see my
daughter a moment, ere I give a definite answer."

Hereupon Mr. Monson left the room, and Tom began to THINK again.

"Well," he thought, "things DO go on swimmingly at last. This is the first
time I could ever get at a father, though I've offered to six-and-twenty
girls. One does something like a living business with a father. I don't
know but I rather overdid it about the dollar, though it's according to
rule to seem disinterested at first, even if you quarrel like furies,
afterwards, about the stuff. Let me see--had I best begin to screw him
up in this interview, or wait for the next? A few hints, properly thrown
out, may be useful at once. Some of these old misers hold on to every
thing till they die, fancying it a mighty pleasant matter to chaps that can't
support themselves to support THEIR daughters by industry, as they
call it. I'm as industrious as a young fellow can be, and I owe six
months' board, at this very moment. No--no--I'll walk into him at once,
and give him what Napoleon used to call a demonstration."

The door opened, and Mr. Monson entered, his face a little flushed,
and his eye a little severe. Still he was calm in tone and manner. Julia
had told him all in ten words.

"Now, Mr. Thurston, I believe I understand this matter," said the father,
in a very business-like manner; "you wish to marry my daughter?"

"Exactly, sir; and she wishes to marry me--that is, as far as comports
with the delicacy of the female bosom."

"A very timely reservation. And you are referred?"

"Yes, Mr. Monson, those cheering words have solaced my ears--I am
referred. The old chap," aside, "likes a little humbug, as well as a girl."

"And you will take her without a cent, you say?"

"Did I, sir? I believe I didn't exactly say that--DOLLAR was the word I
mentioned. CENTS could hardly be named between you and me."

"Dollar let it