Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1873-08-21
THEORY vs.. PRACTICE


BY A. W.
"I say, Ned, it's time you had wife
You're getting to be the most misan
rhropical old bore in Christendom, i
you but knew it. don't mind toucl
Of that sort OF thing; it's quite the styl,
you know; but, heavens, man! your,
too confoundedly Lldse. tell you you
need wife,
"Oh, hang the women!' was the in.
elegant rejoinder to this friendly ad.
vice, as Ned Stockton settled himsel
more comfortably in his loungine
chair. Snow see here, Phil," he con-
tinued, in an aggrieyed tone. "Why
can't you let fellow alone? If you're
so fond of the matrimonial state, gel
married yourself"
Sand go to the dogs at once, was the
half bitter reply. "a man who can
barely keep himself in neckties had
better not think of marriage. But,
bless metz with sudden return to his
ordinary manner, 'I'd almost forgot
ten an invitation have for You. It's
from my cousin, Fanny Datheridge,
who has lot of people staying at their
place. She wrote for me to come down,
and bring the best looking fellow of
my acquaintance. You're about as de-
cent as any, SO / think I'll take you
along. ..f.tf. sli
"Thanks. 'Pon my word you're
complimentary. Well, I'll go-that is,
there's no trap about it. No prospec-
tive Mrs. S. on the boards, ell 2" with a
suspicious glance. 81
Haven't the faintest idea who's to
be there. Fanny always has lot of
pretty girls, though. You're sure of A
jolly time. All right, / must be off.
You'd better pack up tonight, and,'
putting his head in again at the door,
"we'll have to take the noon express
down."
Mrs. Datheridge was in waiting as the
express ruffed ina dainty, blue-eyed
woman, who welcomed Phil with cous-
inly fervor, and expressed herself
charmed to meet his friend. They were
a very merry trio; at least Phil and his
cousin kept up a running fire of badi-
mage, while Ned contented himselfwith
watching the play of Mrs. Datheridge's
mobile features. He was lazily leaning
back, and thinking how infinitely more
charming the gentler sex would be if
didn't chatter so like magpies, when
she turned suddenly to him, saying, in
bewitchingly appealing way:
Please be very good natured, Mr..
Stockton, for I've such an immense fa-
vor to ask. We were getting up Caste
for tomorrow evening, but Mr.. Della
phine, who was to have taken the part
of the Major, was summoned home
yesterday. l know you'll consider
yourself the victim OF regular con-
spiracy when I confess that had heard
Of your success as Major Huutre, at the
Irvings, and bribed Philip into bring
ing you down. Can you be msgnani-
nous, charitable, forginng, concen-
tration of all the virtues, in fact, and
come to our rescue 2" Ht
Poor Ned! Mentally he anathema-
tized his evil genius; aloud, with be-
coming modesty, plead guilty to dra-
matte inability, ct cetera. In the midst
Of it, all, a pretty vision flashed by-a
slender, brilliant-looking girl, on
thorough bred horse, whorecognized
the carriage party by a gay little sa-
lutte. sif vl 81
Mrs. Dartheridge kissed her hand,
and answered Phil's look Of Inquiry
with, "My husbands sister, Viva Dar-
theridge. She's been abroad for five
years, Phil; I hardly think you re-
member her." Then to Ned, "She takes
the part of Polly, Mr.. Stockton; will
that offer any inducement ?" ronH
Ned would have scorned to acknowl-
edge it, but the sudden glimpse of Miss
vivia's Spanish eyes did give another
coloring to the theatricals, and, some
what to Phil's surprise, he yielded.
"By Jove! you didn't exaggerate
about the pretty girls, old fellow"
whispered Ned, as the twain entered
the drawing-room before dinner.
snakes a modest man feel shaky, don't
it. You know them all, so never mind
me; I'm going over to speak TO your
cousin" Disinterested Ned, as his next
words bore witness. "Introduce me to
your sister, won't you, Mrs. Datheridge? (?
| feel anxious to meet companion in
misery"
Certainly, if can find her. There
she is. Viva, dear, let me present Mr..
Stockton" and his pretty hostess fitted
away. '... -
A stately little bow, downward
droop of the long, dusky lashes, and
Miss Datheridge calmly turned and re-
sumed her conversation with a hand
some officer.
Something not exactly reverent was
smothered under Ned's moustache, as
he mechanically put up his eye-glass.
Her conduct was, to say the least, un-
expected. Positively he'd taken the
trouble to come all the way across the
room, and-she turned her back upon
him. Naturally piqued, and perhaps a
little amused, curiosity induced him to
overlook this first rebuff, for securing
an adjoining seat at dinner, he endeav-
ored, as far as force of habit and his
natural aversion 10 small talk would
allow, to play the agreeable-with no
better success, however. His most grace
fully turned speeches met with the bar
est acknowledgment that courtesy rem
dered admissible, and he was finally
obliged to retire from the field, feeling
Of less Importance than is exactly pleas
ant to the masculine mind
Any amiable designs which he might
have formed in regard to letting her
alone in the future were destined to be
frustrated, for as he moodIly twirled
his moustache In corner of the draw