Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1872-01-26
JENKINS REVENGE.
A Tale That was Told to the Marines.

Now, mind, will not guarantee the truth
of this. can only tell it to you as he told
1t to- us. II sounds improbable, certainly,
but no one can say it is impossible. What
is there TO prevent a lady, if so inclined,
from -? But that would spoil the story.
And there is no law of nature, suppose, to
restrain a man who is 80 devoid of gentle
manly feeling as he is -. But that would
tell what is coming. II is no good saying
he was intoxicated, because | defy you to
get drunk on sherry and soda water; and 10
lay il TO the heat of the season is absurd, for
II was a remarkably cool evening for August.
Mo- Jcnkyns was a man who has had some
strange experiences, and this was not the
least strange among them. Still, mind,
will not guarantee the truth of this; though,
by the way, you don't often find man tell
the same tale twice in exactly the same way
II it is not true-and have heard him tell
this twice.
The first time was at a dinner at Lord
we'll, it don't matter where. II Is sometimes
advisable not to mention proper Names l
don't think this would DO any harm, though
at dinner at Lords cricket ground, aud
the second time was on the occasion of which
| am speaking, when | found him drinking
sherry and soda water and smoking cherOOts
with three officers of marines, one o whom,
with five gloves (lady's six ana half) and
a withered rose before him, was telling how
-"After leading me on in this way, after
gaining my young affections in this treacher-
Gus manner, by JOvel sir, she throws we
over and marries Bubber."
"It's like the SEX" said the second ma
rine.
''lt's woman that sejuicess all mankind, ;"
says the third marine.
at reminds me what once Happened 10
myself" said Jenkyns. "You know the
story" he continued, turning TO me, $50 just
order yourself some sherry aud soda water;
all and while you are about it order some
for me too, and you can pay for them both
when they come-then | slan't be put out
Thank you; I'll try one of your cigars.
Well, gentlemen" turning to the MARINES,
"somo time ago l was staying with Sir
George P, p House, P-shire
Great number Of people there, all kinds OF
amusemOnts going On-drlying, riding, fish,
ing, shooting, eyerynny was ofS{ NV
. cUmpaifi6n III these expeditions, aud / was
considerably struck with her, for she was a
girl to whom the epiihet stunning applies
better than any other | am acquainted with
She could ride like Nimrod; she could drive
like Jehu; she could Tow like Charon; she
could dance like TeTpsichOre; she could run
Ike Diana; she walked like Juno; and she
looked like venus. I've seen her smoke
zone good in her character, at any rate, q"
said the third marine.
"Just like the SEX" said the second ma
rine.
''Ahl she was slunner," Continued Jen-
kyns; ''you should have heard that girl
whistle and laugh-you should have heard
her laugh: she was delightful companion.
We rode together, danced together, sang to-
gelher: / called her Fanny and Sue called
me Tom. All this could have but one termi
nation, you know. / fell in love will her,
and determined to take the first opportunity
of proposing. So one day, wnen we were
out together fishing on the lake, l went
down on my knees among the eudgeons,
seized her hand, pressed it to my waislcoat,
and in burning accents entreated her to be-
come my wife
Don't be foor she said. 'Now drop
1t, do, aud put me fresh worm on
20, Fannyp exclaimed, don't talk about
worms when marriage 10 in question. Only
cay
i tell you what ii is now,' she replied
angrily, ''if you don't drop il III pitch you
out OF the boat
"Gentlemen,' said Jenkyns, with s'ronG
emotion; ~ did not drop it, and give you
my word aud honor, with a sudden shove
she sent me flying into the water; then seiz-
ing the skulls, with stroke or two she put
several yards between us and burst into f
Of laughter, which fortunately prevented
her from going any further. | swan up and
climbed into the boat. 'JeDkyns,' said &c
myself, 'revengel revenger disguised my
feelings; l laughed-hideous mockerY o.
miTth-l leughed. Pulled TO the bank
went to the house and changed nv gar
ments. When I appeared al the dinnei
table perceived that every noe had beer
informed Of my ducking-universal laughter
greeted me. During dinner Fanny repeat
edly whispered to her nelghbor and glanced
at me. SmolheTed laughter invariably fol
lowed. 'Jenkyns,' said ], '.evenge.' Tit
opportunity soon offered. There was 10 bI
balloon ascent from the lawn, and Fanny
had tormenied her father to let her ascenC
with the RrOnaut. L instantly took M
plans; bribed the eronaut 10 plead illness a
the moment when the balloon should hav
risen; learned from him the management o
the balloon, though l knew that pretty wei
before, and calmly waited the result. Tn
day came-the weather was fine. Tn
balloon was iDflated-Fanny was in tn
car. Everything was ready when th
eronsut suddenly tainted. lie was carrie
into the house, and Sir George accompanies
him to see that he was properly attended 10
Fanny was in despair,
Am TO lose my air expeditiOng she ex
claimed, looking over the side OF the cal
Some one understands the management
this thing, surely2 Nobody Tom' ell
called out 10 me, you understand it, don
your
'PcIlectlY,' answered.
Come along, them she cried; 'be quicl
before papa comes back
The company in general uied TO dlssuad
her from her project, but of course in vaii
After a decent show of hesitation / climhe
into the car. The balloon was cast off an
rapidly sailed heavenward. There vs.
scarcely breath Of wind and we rose. .almol
straight up. We rose above the house, an
she laughed and said
How jollyp
I'VE are higher than the highest trees, an
she smiled and said Il was very kind of a
to come with her We were so high thl
tue people below looked mere specks, au
she hoped that / thoroughly understood Il
management of the balloon. Now was m
time.
Il understand the going up part, al
swered; 'to come down is not SO easy, an
! whistled.
'What do you meanY she cried.
iWby, when you want 10 go up lastef yo
thlow some sand overheard replied, sui
ing Ehe action 10 the word.
Don't be foolish, Tom,' she said, tryil
10 appear quite calm aud Indifferent, b
trembling uncOmmonly.