Weekly Trinity journal., 1871-04-01
Written fnr the JoURN,L.l
Dir. FITZGUBBLE'S STORY.
BY T. +. JONES.

1t is a warm and pleasant morning of Spring.
A little shower has fallen during the night-jusr
enough to lay the dust and leave the mir soft and
balmy. The rain-drops are yet upon the leaves
and flowers glistening and sparkling in the
morning sun like diamonds. Nature has put on
her most gorgeous attire, and my partner, Mr.
William Smithers, is standing before the three
inch looking-glnss which adorns our cabin, pre-
pairing to emulate Nature.
Mr.. Smthers is n bachelor, and is set down
on the Great Register of the county, as thirty
six years of age. But, having noted the date of
some of Mr.. Smilhers wonderful exploits, as re-
lated by himself conclude he must have made
a mistake of about ten years when giving his
age to the Clerk. For instance. he voted for
Cass, in 4s. Now, no man of thrty-six could
have done that.
But why is it that Mr. Smthers is taking such
pains with the adornment of his person this
morning? Mr.. Smithers has no weakness, gem
orally for dress. He has weakness, but it
is for draw poker, at two bits ante and pass the
buck. 1t is II very pleasant game, draw-poker
is, so Mr.. Smthers has told me. " For,' SAYS
he, by way of elucdaton, if You hauen't
pair, you draw and get II pair; and if
you hare pair you draw and get another
pair" On the strength of Mr.. Smithers' explain
alton, tried the game and found it pos
sessed of but one raw-back-the other chaps
would " draw " at the same time did. After
they had " drawed " about twenty dollars out
Of me, drawed out of the game. But, ha l.
have it now. Mr.. Smthers is in love, and Mr.
Smirhers is going to call upon the object of his
affections.
Mr.. Smithers, having mt last arranged his neck
tie to his supreme satisfaction, smoohed the last
wrinkle out of his vest, rubbed the bald spot
(about the size of IL billinrd-bll) which orna-
mented the top of his caJezd, MS if To assure him
self that was still there, and given his whskers
fnal stroke, he took his departure. waited
until he was about to turn the corner out Of
sight, and then called to him to stop.
What d ye want?" inquired Smi'hers.
"There's oat here got for you down at
the store | forgot it until now
Mr. Smilhers thought had said I" a note, >"
and came hurryng back. gravely handed him
the oat, whrrcupon he remarked, In substance,
he did Mt use the word " condemned"
"We, you see, Bill, said L. "this is the
First of April, and want to put you on your
guard, SOS the gal won't fool you, you know. T"
Mr.. Smithers turned very red at my alusion 10
" the gall but with the remark that | hight
" safely bet my boots she won't" he departed.
I" Bet my boots, hey ?' ! solloquized, ." not
of boots, and DANCED if want to lose them. I'm
afraid that Lucy Lambert is o little coquette,
and if she don fool you to-day, old fellow, she S
bound to do it in the long run. She's got lots
of beaux and old Lambarts getting kind of tired
of it. Dog on it. Fitzgubble,' said he t'other
day, I've got to make that gal marry soon as
n matter of self-preservation. Ef don't, her
burned admirers will soon eat me out of house
and home. "
But well just step on ahead of my friend
Smithers and take n look at the interior of Mr..
Lambart's domicil. That worthy gentleman,
having finished breakfast, has gone down TO town
to guzzle whisky and discuss the Chinese Labor
problem with Colonel Stockem. Miss Lucy is
preparing to receive callers and is near y ready,
having nothing left to don except chignon
about the size and shape of wood-rats nest.
AS she fixes it on and turns sdewise to get a
glimpse -pshaw what business have we peeking
into lady's dressing. g.room-her mothers voice
is heard outside:
Make haste, Lucy here's one of your beaux
coming
Which one, motherN
"Why the last one, of course. Number nine
teen believe you call him"
"Wel, he's n bigger fool than ever | took
him 10 be-the hook nosed wretch. Coming to
see me to-day, hey? III make him sick of it be-
fore night" And Miss Lucy, having by this
time flushed her toilet, answered the knock Of
my friend Smitber5 in person.
Good morning, Mr.. Smthers, walk in, walk
in. Why didn't you wait for those other gen
tlemen p
"What other gentlemenT'
Those gentlemen just behind you Who is
the tall one2'
Mr.. Smithers about to look and see when
he recollecled himself. SO be simply laid his
forefnger alongside he before mentioned hook
nose, aud walked inside followed by the discom-
ftred Lucy The old lady laughed.
81 don t care, mother" said Lucy, pettshly,
"Ill catch him yet, if he stays here
Mr.. Smlhers protested that he would not
think of leaving before sunset, therefore Miss
Lucy shonld have all the chances she wanted.
But Smithers had been put so thoroughly on his
guard, that Miss Lucy's varied efforts una
vaiIiog, and at last, dinner being over, they
were enjoying comfortable tete teLe in the
paror, where Mrs. Lambert discreetly left them
TO themselves, as | would recommend sundry
mothers Of my acquaintance to do in similar