The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-02-15

friends, and BeSSy TOOK great interest i
poor James Wymper-drawipg him out
encouraging him, and defending hin
against practical jokes; but as time passed
this young persons feelings toward hin
appeared to undergo change. Instead o
praising what he did, and encouraging hin
to further exertion, she found fault ant
snubbed him. She ceased to make fun o
him as ait" and had store of little bite
disparaging remarks-about his depend
ence, his want of self-respect, and so on
ready to shoot at them. 81 think you are
too severe on poor James Wymper," Mrs
Jervoice would say; "he is really very
willing, and one must not expect too much
of him, poor fellow" If another man haG
| done what he did, he would not have beer
damned with such faint praise, but he was
only "poor James Wymper;" and, like the
proverbial prophet, had little credit in his
own country.
One morning was marked with an unusual
event-poor James Wymper received let
ter with American stamps upon it.
Among the visitors at Willow Bank-the
Thomas-side villa of Mr.. Jervoice-was a
certain Mr.. Augustus Bailey, young gen.
tleman of varied and pleasing accom- plish
ments. He could sing you music-hall
songs nearly as we'll as the great COM
iques," his masters. He could initiate
most celebrated actors, and was a mighty
punster. For the better exhibition of such
talents butt was indispensable, and he
found one ready-made in poor James
Wymper. 1t is needless to say that poor
James Wymper did not love Mr.. Augustus
Bailey; but it was curious that usually
amiable girl like Bessy Jervoice should
encourage the latter in sallies which were
often as ungenerous as they were insolent
81 want you to put my sewing machine
in good order, Mr. Wymper." said Bessy,
one day, "and mind it works smoothly, for
I've got to make dress in hurry"
"What for ?" asked he.
GA picnic"
What's picnic? ?"
"Don't tease"
every WE'LL" and he set to work on tse
sewing machine.
Bessy took seat beside him, and molli-
fed by his obedience, condescended to ex-
plain the rites and mysteries of picnic.
This one was got up by Mr.. Augustus
Bailey, and-as she narrated-it was "Mr
Bailey will provide this, and "Mr. Bailey
thinks" that; until the workman threw
down his screw-driver in a passion, and
exclaimed, Confound Mr.. Baileyr' Bessy
was astonished. She got as far as, "Why,
you're not jeal-," when she became
very red, and checked herself.
"I'm not what ?" asked poor James
Wymper.
"You're not so stupid as you try to
make out, SIR
"That's not what you were going to
say"
GLOW do you know"
"You said, you are not jeal some
thing"
Not jelly, then, or salt or sugar, that
you should melt in a shower" she replied
The last quoted opinion of the great Au
gustus had been that it was sure to rain,
and so this observation of Miss Bessy was
not as inappropriate as it may at first ap-
pear. But why should she have blushed
SO And if she had really intended to tell
him he was not jelly, why did she not 60
on and say so? Besides, he had not con-
founded Mr.. Bailey because that authority
had predicted rain, and Miss Bessy knew
it. She hattered herself that she had got
very cleverly out Of difficulty, and the
blush changed to smile; but she had only
made bad worse. To tell man that he
will not suffer under the rain on a stated
naturally implies that he may be
subjected to q wetting on such occasion;
and
go, then I'm to go! said poor James.
This was poser. He had not been in
vited, and there was reason why he could
not be. He looked up from his work with
such happy smile on his great broad face
that Bessy's heart smote her.
"Well, you see. the gentlemen are most
ly friends of Mr.. Bailey. We invite them,
you know, but-you won't be hurt if tell
you the truth. James Wympero''
"Does truth hurt?''
"Sometimes. The fact is, that it is GUS
tomary at water pic-nics for the gentlemen
to provide the boats and music and wine,
and that costs money, you know"
go, so cannot go because have not
got money to pay my share, eh ?''
"You would not like to place yourself
under an obligation to Mr.. Bailey and his
friends, l suppose q" she said, with a
sneer.
az wish you would not curl your lip SO
when you speak, Miss Jervoice. That
does hurt" he said, with low voice and
Bonded head.
81 beg your pardon!'
go, never mind. But suppose" he con-
tinued gaily, as though bright thought
had struck him, 81 were to help to row
one of the boats, and arrange the dinner
and that, wouldn't they let me Gomez"
81 never saw such MANI Bessy ex-
losing all patience. "Have you
no single spark of self-respect-no dignity
o, how can you be SO mean-spirited ?"
"Work is as good as money, any day."
he replied. looking her full in the face.
eyes, if you go as servant"
"You said just now that every one had
to make himself useful at picnic"
"It's no use arguing with you; you will
not, or cannot understand"
."You don't want me to go?"
con the contrary, should like you to
join us if"
elf had the money?'
elf you could go on an equality with the
rest"
"Well I've got five pounds. Is that
enoughr'
"Five times enough. But where on
earth did you get it ?''
"Sam sent it in that letter."
"And who is Sam, pray?'
L.