The Lincoln County herald., 1872-09-11
"Tha. 10 q good programme. But let

US adjourn now, and leave Powell to hi.
money making while We roll few game,
at John Mars on the strength Of it,"
"Old Winksm," a. hs was eontemptu
ously called, by the young men, was o
rich bachelor about fifty years of age
notorious as libertine Notwithstanding
his penurisusnsss his gallantriss were
therefore the more remarkable. AL
though he was quite i'll favored, he was
vain a. peacock, while his rotundity Of
figure amply justified the appsllation Of
Falstaff bestowed upon him by Talbot
He seemed indeed to have no genuine
respect for females of any class, aud had
more than once como to grief by his i'm =
pertinence to them.
The night of the ball arrived, and
found our intended heroine promsnadng
arm in. arm with her cavalier, Talbot.
The dress selected by Wildoatss (er as
we shall now style him Miss St. Claim
was that of Turkish girl. 1t was com
posed Of the richest materials, and adml-
rably gotten up in every respect. His
face, hidden in vail belonging to the
costume required no mask indeed, no
greater safeguard could be desired (evon
had tho sex Of tho person been sus-
pected) to prevent recognition by his
most intimate friends; a calamity which
might have ruined all their plans.
No fears on these grounds were enter.
tained from their intended victim, whose
arrival was now anxiously looked for.
He soon entered accompanied by
Powell, and, in short time was intrs
duced by Talbot to Miss St. Clair iu a
natural off hand manner, as If the meet
ing was purely the result of an accident.
The party soon commenced q genera
conversation, seating themselves for the
purpose, the conspirators taking thu
opportunity to become accustomed to the
role they had to play the remainder Of
the evening.
Winkem soon turned his attention to
the supposed fair enc by his side, and
when they arose, solicited the favor Of q
promenade, which Of course was cheer
fully granted.
Talbot and Powell, seeing the game
pretty we'll in tolls, excused themselves
for awhile, and retired to enjoy q good
laugh at their success thus far.
"Do you reside in town, miss p en-
quired the old beau Of his companion.
"No, indeed" was the reply. IL ON
quite a stranger in Washington. 1t is
my first visit, in fact, and everything ap
pears sc strange"
81 trust your visit will be long one,
was the gallant reply. SHOULD b.
pleased to advise you as to the objects Of
interest in our midst. Have known
your friend Talbota long time sad rake
But boys will be boys; must not expect
old heads on young shoulders, miss u
Chatting thus, they walked along, and
Wildoates played his purt with such ad
dress that, without much conversation on
his part, Wiukcm not only believed him
to be an uusophisticated country girl, but
an heiress to boot.
Completely charmed by his companion
and delighted with the easy victory hs
hoped to achieve over her purse and
person, tho aged Romeo invited her t.
partake Of some refrsshmsnt, and snr
prissd the waiter by this magui6senca o.
his order.
Talbot who had watched the pair from
4 distance, soon made his appearance
and claimed the hand of Miss st. Cail
for a dance. Winkem was forced te
resign her, and grind hia false teeth with
rage aud disappeintment, remembering
his gouty foot and inability to do like
wise.
All thing. have an end, and eur belle
left the ball before the hour for unmask
ing arrived.
Winkem asked for, and Of course OBJ
tanned permission to call on his new mad,
acquaintance the following day.
Arrangements had been made te 70
csive their victim at the rooms of the
hotel occupied by Wildsatss; they were
carefully divestsd Of all signs of mascu
line ownership, and the clerk had given
his cue to carry out the joke in o bscom
ing manner.
Winkem availed himself Of the privi
lsgs given him, and received such en-.
enlargement that his visits became fire.
quent ere a week had passed, he had
made known his passion by an honorsbl,
offer Of bis heart and hand, to which tha
fascinating hsirsss, with many bushes
gave favorable reply.
OF course Winksm, during his visits,
had a fair sight of tho features of biz
oharmsr; but hs was not psrsoally nc
quaintsd with Wildoates, and, had hs
been, the disguise of the latter was SC
perfect, and his victim SO unsuspicisus
that it would have taken q kssnsr person
than he was to have detected the cheat
Wildoatss was also (with the exception
Of such times as he expected . visit from
bis lovsr) on the street or 10 his office
and bis victim often heard Of him in such
places, little dreaming that he had left
him but few hours before, after breath,
ing words Of undyiug affection IN biz
ears.
A valuable diamond ring was pur
chased BY Winkem fer his iaamorata, al
a pledge of his devotion, the purchase oi