National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1868-02-28
Fast and Slow.
BY RALPH TRYON.

both received salary OF SIX hun
dred dollars a year. The former,
dashing young man, was one year
the senior of his companion, who,
although twenty, and considered
very active aud promising. had not
achieved the title OF ''fast' as his
friend had done.
John did not enjoy the luxury of
being Al debt, for he had, what
Frank termed. "a very foolish habit
! of paying upon the purchase, which
his friend further declared no SORT
Of a way to establish ones credit in
the future. And John also had 4
will of his own. aud obstinately adj
hered to this old fashioned practice,
setting at naught all of A!i,red's elO-
quent endeayorS to persuade him to
the contrary.
Jenkins, perhaps, made the most
brilliant salesman, but Marshall the
most careful. If the former Effected
the greatest sales, the latter effected
the greatest profits, so that both
about equally enjoyed. the favor OF
their employer. Neither could be
called dissipated, but Alfred was
rather TOO fond of fast horses, and
John, perhaps, of the retirement of
his own apartment and seclusion
from society.
In the matter Of dress-an import
ant point in the debut Of manhood
each remained true to his own char
acteristlcs. The younger, though
less gaudily attired, was always
taStetuly if not elegantly dressed.
Alfred pIlded himself upon being
considered n "ladieS' man. but John
Was no less a man for the ladies'
Both admired Kate Ginglam, the
beautiful daughter of their employ
er. the one openly, the other scarce
| ly dared TO whisper this secret to his
own heart.
well, Jack said Alfred, one eve
ning, bouncing into the room, 'yoU
know am twenty-one to-day, and
what do You think Gingham has
done for mep
Something handsome, Idare say
Yes, rather. You know ne in,
vitod me TO cali on him this even
iugr
Il thought I heard something TO
! that effect
We'll. old honesty what do you
think OF this = and jenkins held mp
a fine gold hunter watch with chain
attached.
- splendid present
Not a bad affair, | must say !;
bat there is somethiugI would have
greatly preferred To this, and the
old shrewd one, fancy knew it all
the time
i can think of nothing that would
have suited you better, unless. per
haps. fast horse
But | can, and that is his daugh-
ter
You saw Kate-.that is, Miss
Gingham p
'Confound the pretty jade, yes,
and alone. made up my mind to
disclose my attachment this evening,
hut Just as often as | grew senti
mental, the gipscy would ask wha;
new dress patterns We had in, ol
about laces and other odious stuff
of the shop
She proved n little too coy fol
You, thenf
Say sharp, rather. She knew
well enough what was about, hu'
kept me off at arms length, Just as
far as you please. was obliged II
answer all sorts of questions about
you. BY Jupiter, | thought til,
girl wished me to understand tha
she was more than half in love witt
you
With me, nonsense, Alfred = ex
claimed John, fairly blushiug. ant
looking more pleased than he wa
aware.
Il agree with you Jack. for tn
girl that could hot manage, woul,
prove too hard for you, fancy
Contound IL, how dull leel tonight
but want YOU to do me u favor
!; Certainly, Alfred, ii in my pow
i err
{. Then loan me ten dollars
/ The young man drew forth well
filed pocket book, and handed hiu
= the required amount.
Thank YOU, Jack, will repa
you in q few days. am going I
give champagne supper to a fe,
: friends, and hadn't quite enough c
= the nccdful. Ofcourse YOU will nc
Il refuse to be one of us on this occa
SION
But | must though, rs you kno,
1 always do
Make this an exception them
Il cannot, Alfred, and you kno,
c my reasons
Il know y0u are as moral rs
I Methodist, and wish ! had your =,
!. cret for keeping q well flied poke
:. book'
l. If You gave no Champagne al,
pers, you would soon find IL ont
/ Pshaw! they only cost a trinc.
s. "A number cf trifles makes II
rs quite large amount.
You pay us much board as l d'
aud wear as good clothes, althoug
= you persist IN having them cut In
villalnous fashion, and then, TO Of
SGT my riding and supper bills, yo
y have your French and H. usic maste
How you keep out Of debt and a
:. ways have money on hand, Is nv