ttempt to interfere with a
marriage contract?"

"I don't believe any contract exists," replied the young man. "Anyhow,
while a lady is single I regard her as in the market, and to be won by
the boldest."

"Still, we should have some respect for the rights of others."

"Every one for himself in this world," replied Tilghman. "That is my
motto. If you don't take care of yourself, you'll be shoved to the wall
in double quick time. Long ago, I resolved to put some forty or fifty
thousand dollars between myself and the world by marriage, and you may
be sure that I will not let this opportunity slip for any consideration.
Helen must be mine."

Additional evidence of the fact that the young lady was under engagement
of marriage soon came to the ears of Tilghman. The effect was to produce
a closer attention on his part to Helen, who, greatly to his
uneasiness, did not seem to give him much encouragement, although she
always treated him with politeness and attention whenever he called to
see her. But it was not true, as Tilghman had heard, that Helen was
engaged to a young man in Columbus; though it was true that she was in
correspondence with a gentleman there named Walker, and that their
acquaintance was intimate, and fast approaching a love-like character.

Still, she was not indifferent to the former, and, as he showed so
strong a preference for her, began, gradually, to feel an awakening
interest. Tilghman was quick to perceive this, and it greatly elated
him. In the exultation of his feelings, he said to himself--

"I'll show this Columbus man that I'm worth a dozen of him. The boldest
wins the fair. I wouldn't give much for his engagement."

Tilghman was a merchant, and visited the east twice every year for the
purpose of buying goods. Last August, he crossed the mountains as usual.
Some men, when they leave home and go among strangers, leave all the
little good breeding they may happen to have had behind them. Such a man
was Tilghman. The moment he stepped into a steamboat, stage, or railroad
car, the every-one-for-himself principle by which he was governed
manifested itself in all its naked deformity, and it was at once
concluded by all with whom he came in contact that, let him be who he
would, he was no gentleman.

On going up the river, on the occasion referred to, our gentleman went
on the free and easy principle, as was usual with him when in public
conveyances; consulting his own inclinations and tastes a