Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1871-07-13
day as N IIackn,an.


son, amid a vollcy of oaths that might
have shocked his Satanic majesty.
oh good morning replied the
man; excuse me Mr.. Morris. | was
talking rather too strong, perhaps; but
the fact is, | am in a desperate strait f!
You see, Mr.. Elmore's horses are both
sick, and he wants me to let him have
my best span and coach Immediately.
Well, the dapplcs are the best, and, to
my eye, better than his own; but
there's not man belonging to my sta
bles dare drive them but Cary, and he
is down with the fever. The other
horses are all out or engaged, and |
don't know what the
There, there, said |, no oaths. |
have nothing on hand, and really be-
lieve | should like to play hackman
for day in New York.
Surely, Mr.. Morris, you are joking,
calculated the man, in amazement.
No; | am in earnest for the idea
was so novel, that |, lover of adven-
ture, became every moment more de-
termined to try it.
Il am in earnest, Mr.. McGeer, say
no more about it. You know can
manage anything Just have them
hitched up, and give me the livery coat
and hat. Now, leave me in the office
for a moment-but stop don't let the
men know who l am, and by the way
i almost forgot it-have our team
sent around in about an hour
Left alone, / proceeded to alter my
appearance as much as possible, assum-
ing the habiliments of driver, | made
a frst-rate Irishman of the higher
grade. The metamorphosis was scarce
ly completed when Mr.. McGreer en-
tered.
Mr.. Nor
Michael, We mane,' l interrupted
sure there's no reason that | should
be cheated out of a name We both
laughed, and | received congratula.
tions upon making good son of Erin.
Stepping out of the Office, | noun
ted the box, gathered up the reins, and
was off. The horses were unusually
gay, but | had them in good trim by
the time | stopped before Mr. Elmore's
residence. 1t may be well to state,
Grace Elmore was not the least in
ducemcnt for assuming my present
position. All winter she had been
dream-idol of mine, or rather half a
one, for | could not really decide which
] preferred, Grace or Maude dc Nor
ris, young French lady, who was
spending the winter in New York with
her parents. Both were bewitching.
and | embraced every opportunity of
being with either.
Springing from the box, | rang the
bell, and presently assisted Miss FL
more and her two friends into the car
riage.
The day was warm for March. and
the four windows were oPcn-Grace
sitting On the seat nearest Inc.
RouD8 the pleasant streets. driver.
Anywhere - : ride she said.
We started and for quarter Of an
hour the ladies' chii-chat was Of 10
account TO me. when suddenly Miss
Fanny exclaimed
BY the way, Grace, rumor says you
are engaged to George Morris, and the
solitaire on your fore-fnger appears to
confirm it.
'Rumor honors me, was the reply.
Now, Grace. chimed in the third
lady, stop your nonsense, and tell us
candidly, are you engaged 2
We'll, | am arraigned before court
for some terrible crime, and comman-
ded to answer, guilty or not guilty.
is that it 2 was the half laughing, half
annoyed response.
No. replied the third lady, only to
crafty friendly curiosity
well, the truth is, l am not at lib
erty to say all / wish; but this much
/ will ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ring you
mentioned did once belong to George
Morris
Was there ever such an abominable
falsehood told, every word of which
is true9 I thought angrily, as | heard
the comments upon my money, person
parents, etc. That girl has led them
to suppose that we are engaged, and
there is a ring to prove it-a ring she
took from me in sport, few evening"
since, and which | intended to recover
upon our next meeting. Well, Their,
is one thing certain, Grace Elmor'
will never be my wife. ] could mo-
trust such schemer. My resolution
was strengthened when l heard her