Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1869-09-22
StIsttco MistrIIdnU.
NY CASUAL ACQUAINTANCE


OF course replied Tibbits ssYou are
London, my dear Stumps.-You will
use my leaving you new, but have i'm
t2nt letters to write before dinner.
nember, half past seven to a fraction of
'cond, till then, fare you well. ''o..1 '-ss-
Important letters, knew meant adjourn
II to his chambers in the Albany, the re-
7al of his coat and neckloth, glass of
~ and bitters, q cigarette, and a sound
ill It was time to adorn himself for
event of his day, and [ thought he
INT have kept company for once with q
r provincial, who had brN his hotel to
Q when he was weary of strolling about
streets. But still a dinner at the Api-
is doubtless a very great treat, and
ashamed of my ungrateful repinings.
b, here was one OF the bliss-houses of
youth, still open, and showing by large
ouncements that it continued to cater
sight-seeTs. My heart was forty-two,
did not beat on approaching the
ptian Hall SO violently as it had done
ty years before, but it gave decided
Ugh slight wobble; so fresh do hearts
) in the country. Any entertainment
Id be more amusing than sitting alone
le hotel smoking room re-perusing the
spapers. Whati the Victoria Cross
cry? Why. that was one of the things
d wished to see directly Iheard of it.
I'D school-fellow had shot six Russians
his own revolver at the affair of the
as in the Crimea, and another had
ed several mutineers in India with a
lation sword; wonderful feat to the
of a fencer, who finds one of those
DOns clumsy enough in his hand after
oil. | turned in, paid my shilling.
ascended the well-remembered stairs,
no that the room would not be crowded
hot afternoon. The selfish wish was
fed; the only living being in the place
m official seated behind q green balze
at the entrancey who wanted me to
a catalogue, s and write my
in large book spread open
him for the purpose.
the first request gladly acceded, but
he second. The name of Stumps is
eautiful in itself, and could not fat
yself HAT it would awaken any par.
II enthusiasm in the mind of q subse-
visitor who might read it; unless, in
he was monomaniac about cricket
cit the half-filIed page -unenriched by
1tograph, and gave myself up to the
ment of a-eal treat. The room was
there were seats at intervals, and the
res were just what enjoy; full of ac-
and representing stirring scenes. A
named Stumps cannot be expected to
ciate high art; or at any rate I don't.
with shame that like music with a
and painting with story; that I am
e without culture; Ill short, fit to
all Mr. Wv A-d's nerves Jar
1ly if / came within five yards of him.
with the exception of few French
like the George du Malakoff" and
Prise du Malakoff," all the battle pic
had hitherto seen were disappoint-
presentations OF smoke and impossi-
rises, with broken gun-carriage and
dead soldiers IN the foreground. But
was vivid, thrilling episode in each
paintings which now engrossed my
ion, and to study them seemed as
IS reading Napier.
as reused ho4a rapt admiration of
e Of midshipmen in the ditch Of for
place at midnight, one of whom vas
ly lighting G portfre with his cigar, by
sound of voices and the rustling of
ies, and tnrning round I saw five new /
rs clustered round the visitors book. |
had no objections to signing their
es. Paterfamilias, who was round and
and pleasant-featured as the ideal
lle-aged gentleman in Punch, said:
what?" and scratched his signature
the rapidity of a man who was con-
tly performing that operation. His wife,
,rtly lady with an imposing nose and
I'D demeanor, took longer about it, evi-
.tly reading the namas which preceded
own. Her two pretty daughters
ltionship was written on their faces
aed next; and then a young man in
xer-show apparel, with silky hair parted
the middle, took the pen, whispering
nething to the youngest girl, who sim
red. I'd have taken slight odds that he
Eered an allusion to q ceremony which is
rformed IN vestries.
Of course, I was not staring, but took
is little by-play in out of tho corners of
Y eyes, which were still apparently riveted
pon the midshipmen who were engaged
patriotic arson. Why only apparently?
the proper study for mankind is
nan; because, though Art is very fine,
Nature sometimes beats it; and because.
ven at forty-two, if one lives in the
pretty girl is still pleasing OBJ
ect.
/ soon discovered a fact, however, which
nodesty and experience alike prevented
ny calculating upon; they were noticing
ne. [ remember story, told, think, in
his Jourarl, of man who fattered him
elf that he was stalking q lion, and hearing
rustic IN the bushes behind him, found
hat the lion was stalking him. [ sympa-
hized with that sportsman. There could
,e no doubt about it. Madam was the first
0 gaze on me, as though she thought she
Knew me, whenever she fanciaSI herself un-
,erceived then she nudged her husband.
nd whispered in his ear, whereupon he too
me. as ifI had formed part of the
then mysterious communi-
alton was conveyed to the girls, and they
xamined me in a quiet sort of way, shvlv
ut perceptibly. The young man, too, gave
glance III my dir ection, but evidently did
II think much of me,-his attention being
by the charms of the Younger
ooking of the two sisters, though, indeed,
eIther of them appeared more than twenty.
IN incident soon occurred which [ am al
1nst ashamed to mention, lest 1t should
ppear to be insinuated that 1t was not en-
irel accidental, as of course it must have
,een. The whole party, making their tour
i inspection, passed behind me in single
lie, Materfamilias bringing mp the rear;
md Just as she passed me, she dropped the
without perceiving the loss until
lie was two pictures off, when she sudden
yacalled to her eldest daughter: 60 do look
lere, love; here is dear Sir Henry Slasher,
whom you danced with the other night,
.utting a horrid natives head off, / must
,ut a cross against that. Dear me, what
las become Of my pencil?"
| picked mp the little golden toy, stud
led with torquoises, which lay at my feet,
.nd presented it to her. Her gratitude was
.mazing. She set particular value upon
he article: would not have lost it for
worlds; was SO much obliged to me. Per
,aps YOU are aware how fascinating the
manners Of a proud matron with a Roman
,ose are when she condeseends to make
.erself q reeable. | was quite charmed,
nd being very sociabie in disposition, pre-
errinp. indeed, almost any ones society to
ny own. [ was glad enough to accept the
advances towards conversation which
were made to me, in a cordial manner.
Presently Paterfamilias chimed in; and
.4en the eldest girl asked some question
about picture which was imme-
lately referred to me, and SO in little
While [ found myself chatting away indit-
lerently with the whole party. They were
i n 20 %,