The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-10-24
Select Storp.
WHICH WAS BEsT2

possession of his property, that we should
enjoy him but he falls far short of the
mark had set for him."
q Not only falls short of your mark
Tom, but he really deserves black mark
We must cut him.
81 have made up my mind to do so.
" He deserves it--richly deserves il"
The two who had thus spoken were Tom
Gardener and George Seavens. They
were young men Of good standing in so
.ciety, and possessing considerable social
influence, in what is vulgarly termed the
''upper circles
Who was this deserving ono p dc.
manded third voice at that moment ap.
pearing to view round corner-f1r this
conversation had been going on in the
street.
awe were speaking Of Paul BritnaI, y
replied Gardiner.
The new conner, Charles yotcl, young
man Of the set, shook his head, obviously.
!" l have been disappointed in him"
s'Just what We have been saying,
Charles. had thought him a prince OF
good fellows, aud pattern Of liberality,
and | had supposed, when he came in
possession of his property, that he would
add his full share to our pleasures /; but in
stead of that he has drawn himself com.
pletcly within his own shell. have moth
ing to say against his close application to
his profession. That, suppose, is emf
nently proper but he certainly has time
TO join us in our sports. He owns two Of
the very best horses in the city, and he
viii not enter them for of our society
purses Yesterday ! went to him TO get
him to subscribe to cur club, and what do
yoa suppose his answer was? III tell
you "Tom," said he, II cannot afford it. "
And when asked him what he meant, he
told me that he had better use for his
money, and better use for his time"
"Rathor stiff and puritanical," said
Seayerns.
"Rather say, mean and selfish" sug-
gested yotel.
"That Is it, nodded Gardiner. "Ile's
mean and selfish. You can't call it any
thing else"
" A mean, selfish fellow y echoed Seay-
erns aud Yotell, in concert.
"Who, may ask, has the misfortune
to be thus condemned?' ?' demanded new
voice. 1t was clear, musical voice, rich
and heartful.
The trio turned ana beheld the very
man Of whom they had been speaking
Paul Britnall. He was young man of
hye-and-twenty, and in every point and
particular a gentleman. His blue eyes
were clear and bright; his face was fair
and handsome and perfect health of body,
gave strength to his goodness of heart.
The three who had been talking were
for moment coniounded; but Tom Gard
iner was not coward. As soon rs he re-
covered himself, he said---
Il was private conversation, Paul,
but since you heard so much, we will not
prevaricate, nor swallow our words. We
were speaking Of you.
That was mean aud selfish"
q So we thought"
A flush upon Paul Britnall's cheek, and
1remor upon his lip; but the euotion was
quickly subdued, aud quiet smile broke
over his handsome face.
Elucidate," he said, with nod.
Why you ought to understand" re-
piled Gardiner.
! shall understand better when you
have explained, Tom"
Well, Paul you have disappointed us
=" every way. You refuse to join Doth
: our yachtand boat clubs
! findriding enough behind my horses,
aud exercise enough in healthier ways
than rowing--at least for me.
:" But you drive your horses, and yet
won't enter them on our course"
! purchased my horses for the COM
Tort Of myself and wife, and not forsport"
You won't pay dollar towards our
suppers.p
Il don't eat them.
And you refused point blank to sub
scribe 70 our club.
! don't belong to the club