Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-10-10
A FOOLS MUSTACHE.

with the songs Of countless birds.
Tie furniture Of the room is rich, for Il be-
long 70 the occupant. on his left is mantel
supporting an OImOlu clock, the pendulum Of
which i formed OF CapId swinging in golden
chain. ON one eide Of the clock is a beautiful
cory OF BCdets 'Simplicite,' and on the other
an equally beautiful copy OF his "Duplicite."
Nr. Tyrwitt clad in white linen has written a
letter, which he now reads aloud, as If in search
al passages to correct:
my DEAR BROTHER: 1t probably will not
tIouble you 70 recall to your hind my ward,
the child OF poor TheOtOra.
''In case, however, the great stress of your
business Affairs has driven her out of your me-
mcTy, an sure that have only 20 say that she
tOyou.
''She has been noted for the eccentricity Of
her humCT. The first Of her antics was to pull
your whiskers as you kindly held her at her
christening. The last of her antics (Or. at
least, the last she had performed, to nv know
ledge, Up TO II O'Clock last night am about to
describe.
You recOIIect her precocity. At :, she led
The German at the Iarty given in honor Of the
birth Of your own Clarence, on its second ami
veTsary. At II, she had suitor (Cormichart,
who loved her because she sang the Three
FISHERS 10 four languages). AT -, she engaged
herself to be married TO every member of the
class OF graduating engineers at West Point .
and year later was accustomed to exhibit to
those who asked for her hand Iand they were
many too for midable list Of horses, Carriages,
harness, journeys, and articles of apparel, that
che should Gems and in exchange for Ii.
lat this age she had fiaxen hair, and was VI
VaciOUs and joyous beyond description.
lat her present age she is charming. She
has frOlicked her way through the world, and
there Is hardly pleasure that she has not en-
jOyed TO the full At her silly feet there at this
moment lie Prostrate lawyers, clsrgymen, aud
laymen Of all sorts. She has rejected prodig-
ious number of very excellent opportunities to
marry, and she has tTined with the affections OF
many estimable men.
Gan this, my dear Frederick, Is but preface
TO the overwhelming announcement, that, as a
friend and associate guardian, am bound to
make
This gay butterfly has scared for the last
time.
al have said that in her first antic. she pulled
your hair; her last will make you pull it your
"She has engaged herself to marry a fool!
There l. such thing fool: and, again, such
thing as foolish fool. This man, whose name
Is kandidge,i is an absurd fool.
But hear yOn exclaim, why are you
heightened? IL lot this the same act, with only
1.-The fact that write a letter to You about
the matter, should assure you that il Is not.
tiOnal is-lOve.
81 am positive she loves the fool pardon me
Tor, using tbs aggressive word 20 freely; If l
II, and the walls are very thin.
This RaDdidge is the youngest Of troop OF
reprobates let loose upon the world in conse-
lesTue actress. he has his mothers soft eyes
and bis fathers soft brain.
MY ward, il Is hardly necessary to say, has
been brought TO earth by the first.
'Of course, am eEdeavOring, with all my
u, courageous
and have sent TO the city for information re-
speeding the antecedents OF nv enemy. / ex-
pect answers TO my letters this morning.
Young Curtis il in town, and he has prom
ised 70 bTIng my mail from the pOst-off ce at II.
1t now lacks ten minutes Of that hour.
Il will write o-mOTTOw to say how matters
then stand. 1T you have any remedy to pro-
pose, telegraph me here.
Il suppose that I shOuId warn You that am
likely 20 come out with dragged plumsge i'll
my coming contest with Miss Mad. Your at
Ieeuonate brother, LUCIUs."
THAT last is fine admission for a veteran to
make" Sghs the sept1agensry, "but, alas. my
wit has degenerated into calculation, and who
ever Outdid lovers with profundity?''
Young Curtis,in approaching the hotel, passes
through grove of pines, in which many
seats occupied by smokers and lOungeTs. II IS
cool and shady, Vet the sunlight here and there
bIeaks through the canopy OF green, and bril-
iant'y illUminates the huge and ragged trunks
ard the spine sOwn ground.
One Of these lOungers, man Of 25 with dark
eyes, brown compilation, and strong neck, steps
out to meet the newcomer; he Is clad in white
flannel.
..cuTtis! Curtis! Good morning, Curtis"
''GoOd morning. said.'
'sGOOd morning
Your hand, Curtis"
ffNhat fOr2''
1'YOu congratulate me?"
'fI don't know that"
Praed."
.sWhdt"'
give married Miss Praed."
Curtis exhibits the utmost CONSERVATION.
NGTrisd Miss Praed,-yoH have2 The angels
defend her, But what do you mean?-married
her! She took away peoples breath when she
admitted that she even danced with you. Mar
NED hertz
Randidge's body becomes convulsed with
nolssless laugh, and he cOntemplates Curtis
with mingled triumph and amusement He
finally rasps his way back to a calmer mood,
and he dries his eyes with perfumed hand
"FOr Heavens sake, Randidge, tell me how
this was brought about"
..Oh, by the law by promises, protsstations,
'sNODseuse!-where? when?n
"ln the village, in the musty office of JUS
ice OF the Peace. IfyOu like, III show you
the spot where she stood. A rusty stove was
the altar; torn envelopes took the place OF
flowers IN our path; few gsdfiss gave us the
music, and for the marriage bell there was a
chandelier with blue tissue-Psper."
'This is infamOus,-When was IL done?''
Randidge looks st his watch.
"An hour and half ago, my dear friend"
"But she was insane! she was mad she was
asleep! she vas"
sOn the contrary, size was brighter and more
delighted than usual You should have heard
her respond TO the interTogatories! She pre-
tended 10 lisp, and, when she was asked If she
would take me, Ameden, TO be her welded
husband, instead OF saying, Il VIII, she laughed,
"Sir. she has married scOuudreH"
Randidge signs.
"Ah, yes, that's the only bad thing there is
about it,
Curtis chances at him, for some seconds,
Speeches with rage.
what can she have found in you TO respect?''
"That Il what puzzles me-"
"You have the appearance Of a gentle and
harmless fop. You have a sweet voise, and
You simper and ogre Like girl; and yet you are
as wretched a PrOnigst as there Is In the State.
Why In the name or compassion, did not Ma
tnre ceform you, or make you ugly, for the pro-
lection OF such innocents as Miss Pra-? IL
damn It'd like TO strsngle you!'
"Soft, Curtis, soft"
pened?''
none but the happy pair; the Justice, and
yoursanJ and possibly the fellow that stood a.
witness DE Was the drudge Of the building
and MS head seemed 70 be fun OF dust. / don't
think he understood My cigar has gone ont:
may trouble you for q lightPs
"Rsndidge, you have outdone YOURSELF You
have been noted, for many years for your de-
pravity; but you now are really great Won
have, with one clandestine act, robbed a woman
OF her chances OF happiness. thrown a whole
family into q tumult, secured q large fortune 10
squander, and have Jet remained alive to tell
the tale. Tire Ie dldbte!'
Randdge laughs
"Then you congratulate me, don't you?D