The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1875-06-09
DISCRETION.
BY WALTER EDGAR m'cANN.

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gentlemen did not like each other very
much. Arthur Melford was splen-
did type Of physical beauty---tall and
symmetrical, fond of manly sports,
hating books. On the other hand,
Captain Landon was fair and eliemi-
nate, rather lazy, and devoted stu
dent-of light literature.
"Landon, % said Melford, chow the
deuce can you pass so much time over
those novels? | never read a book in
my life. L never read anything but
the sporting papers"
Captain Landon, lying under the
tree, yawned and closed his volume.
81 don't know" he said. 81 can't see
what pleasure you find in swinging
your dumb. bells, taking your long
walks, boxing your bags, and all
that sort of fatiguing exercises"
"Humph ! 1t is manly, and reading
is not--at least, it does not seem SO to
me. | suppose you never had a bout
at fisticuffs in your life," said Melford.
"Neverl You are quite rightP'
"Then," said a silvery voice behind
them, "what would you do, Captain
Landon, if ruffian were to attack
your"
Miss Kate Croydon, Arthur's beau
tiful cousin, appeared suddenly.
"Well," sighed the captain, with q
hopeless smile, 81 fancy | should-in
fact-run."
"Run p
"Why notY Would you have me
stand and be beaten? You know
what they say discretion is"
at is cowardice!" said Miss Croy-
don, her eyes flashing.
81 dare say assented the captain,
rather sadly.
Miss Croydon had many admirers,
but none more sincere than these two.
One was an old friend--she had al
most grown up with the captain-and
the other was, in some roundabut way,
her cousin; but tho latter was the one
| think, whose sentiments were the
more warmly reciprocated.
There was little pause, aud the
subject changed.
"Have you seen my amiable papa
this morning, Kate?" asked Arthur.
"Yes; he has just left his ROOM"
81 shall try him again to-day.
Would you believe, he refused to listen
to me last night when asked him for
money Ordered me out of the room,
by Jovep'
"What shamel" said Miss Croy-
don. sympathetically.
Fact, upon my word. Said l would
break bank in a year, and that
could only learn the value of money
by earning some. l asked him what
| was fit for. 'Egad,' he answered,
that's conundrum no one will ever
answerP Such low wit the old skin
Aintp
"a perfect shamer'
"He further remarked that, as had
expended large sums in betting on
sporting matters. might do well to
open a sparring academy, or bring my
self before the public as new candi-
date for the honors of the prize,ring."
"What cruel sarcasmp
"Well, l shall go to him once more,
and if he refuses again, the cousequen-
ces will be on his head The truth is,
/ am in an awful fix, and must have
money at any risk. Hulloa there he
is now"
Poor old Mr.. Melford, a sad invalid,
now, made his appearance in his
wheeling-chair on the broad piazza.
His aflect;onate son, with a rather
lowering smile, left his friends under
the tree, and marched, with the firm
tread of a gladiator, toward the house.
Kate Croydon looked after him in
silence.
"What asplendid figure he has !"
she sighed. "And so, Captain Landon,
you would run from a ruffian | don't
think Arthur would. l don't think he
would do anything unmanly or mean"
81 hope not" said the captain;
"but l don't consider it mean to save
ones self from beating-on the con-
trary, common sense would suggest no
other course. However, | shan't ar
que the point. For myself, 1 only
claim that in an emergency / should
try to act with discretion. Remem-
Der, Miss Kate"
Two or three hours later, it was
well understood that Arthur Melford
had not succeeded in procuring the
money he wished. He was in the bill
liard-room iercely knocking the balls
about and drinking, perhaps rather
freely, of brandy and water.
"Wouldn't give or lend me a pen.
N.Y." he said, poking viciously at one
of the red spheres, "Drove me out
with a curse, the vile-tempered parent