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About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 1885)
THE WEST SHORE. 279 Copyright Mcnrad.) JUAN HALLADO: A STORY FROM LIFE. JV F. C. VALKNTINt. I. STILL WATEIW RUN DKKP. " TJE'LL nover sot the river afire," was oommouly 11 said when Walter Millor was discussed. Not that people considered Lim stupid, or even dull he simply was a very ordinary man. He had not been a signally brilliant boy. His childhood was markod by its abso. lutely negative history; he had no likes or dislikes; he grew up, learned his lessons, advanced from class to class, never excelled in anything, novor took any prizes, and not even his fond mother prognosticated greatness for him, nor did he ever pass through the period when boys are oft-tiraos assured that they are destined to be hangod. His father never had cause to administer even the slightest kind of a reproof, and was astonished, even confounded, one day, when Waltor was fourteen, to note him attentively observing the movements of a watch in a transparent case. From this trifling circumstance Mr. Miller formed the wise opinion that Walter had a predi lection for the watchmaker's trade. He was at onoe taken from school and apprenticed to the house of Meredick & Co., watchmakers and jewelers. There Waller preserved his equanimity aud acquired the soliriqurt of "Starling," simply because he performed all of his duties faithfully, though without enthusiasm, and his advance was kuowu to hit parents only by the repeated increase of his salary. As he approachod manhood Walter did not shine in Bociety. He danced well; he sang fairly, and played ao oompaniinenU with obliging amiability when others de sired to sing. He was considered a most trustworthy young man by parents, and was held np as a model to their children, none of whom lovod him devotedly, nor ou the other hand disliked him. None played pranks on him. Yet he was weloome at all times, esjMtcially when ever illuoss or any other misfortune came, for his com pany, in a negative way, was pleasant, his attentions delicate, and his advice manly and practical. When they tirod of calling him "Sterling Waltor Miller," they varied the prefix by converting it into "Solid," to distinguish him from his uncle, "Liquid Walter Miller," a gay old beau who prided himself on still being "one of the boys," despite his bald head and iron-gray mustache. He was a jolly old fellow, full of fun, though h fan sometimes verged on indiscretion. Uncle Walter was the only one who at all disparaged his nephew's standi nesa, by winking whenever his name was mentioned, and re marking that "Still waters rnn deep"; but it was never known how he would have the phrase applied. At all events, Walter remained ever the same standy, indus trious, trustworthy yonng man, enjoying evorylody's re spect, yet provoking no one's enthusiasm or animadver sion. Walter was twenty-four years old when, on returning home one Saturday eveuing, he courteously ajxdogixed to his mother for delaying dinner. " We were busy," he explained, "arranging the details of the jMirtuorship." " What partnership?" miked his father. " Morediok k. Co.," smtwenxl Vnll.r nnin'lw as he turned to his brother, " Will you oblige me with some broad, Edgar?" "Taking in a new partner?" asked Uncle Walter. " Yes," responded Walter calmly, as ho said and did everything. "To iucroase the capital?" asked his uuolo. " It will not be increased materially," said Walter, not evincing the slightest annoyance at his uuclu's mn tinacity, and continuing in the same tone said to his mother, "Yes, thanks, I should like a little more soup." "But say, Wal-the new partnership," persisted Uncle Walter. " Well, what of it?" asked Walter affably. " What sort of a mau is the new partner?" asked the uncle. " Why, Uncle Walier, I am the new partner." "You!" exclaimed all of the members at the Millor family in oouocit. "Yes," resonding Walter, calmly as over, and show, ing not the tightest reflex of the elation that suffused his parents' faces. " Why, oonfound your confounded equanimity, WaU tor, I congratulate you, oonfound you!" blurted Uncle Waltor, grasping his nephew's hand and endangering several cruets in the castor as he vehemently rose ami reached over the table. "Thank you, uncle," answered Walter calmly; "I hope my fork has not hurt you?" he added solicitously. " No, I guess not," said the elder gentleman some, what ruefully, "only it is hardly kind of yon," aud he examined the slight indentions made in his wrist, "to receive the congratulations of your family at the mi1iiI of the bayonet." " Oh, then, I presume I should put down my weaoiia entirely, when I tail you that I think of getting married," rejoined Walter, laying his knife and fork across his pi a to. "Married!" echoed the Miller family, in tones that conveyed consternation as well as amaxomaiiL For the first time in his life matter-of-fact Walter Miller manifested astonishment His relatives' manner seemed to express regret, but whether at his proMotive serration from them or for his future wife, he was at a lists to determine. His father's voice sounded almost severe when he asked, "And whom do you proMse to marry?" "Miss Mathilda Meredick." "Oh, ah!" was long drawn out by those assembled, and the youngest member of the family even added, " Poor Mattia." " And why do you sympathize" "It Is not that, dear," intarKHUkl his mother; "but Mattie is such a sprightly, wide-awake girl, so fond of life, and you are so so old, yon know." "Thou none of you object to Miss Mathilda?" said he. "Ok no, dear no," euilairand all those to whom this general query was addressed.