Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1875-08-06
OUR CROQUET CAMPAIGN.

THERE was the deuce and all to pay,
you know; but I'll tell you how it hap
pened.
Smith was in my rooms. Not that
there was anything unusual in that for
we were "chums'' of long standing
chums in early days, when we robbed the
orchard of that old curmudgeOn Brown in
company, climbing the trees by turns and
giving. one another " legs-up," getting the
same amount of fiogging by the doctors
directions in consequence, and by a strange
coincidence evincing the same disinclina-
i ton for sitting posture for days afterward
down to this very May morning, when,
as Smith remarked
We have been cazpd together;
Oh, what shall part us now!
pathetic quotation somewhat marred in
effect by his finishing the bitter at a
draught, while | meditated on the proceed
ings of this member of the firm and looked
sadly on the empty pewter.
We had chambers in the vicinity of the
Temple, but were not, [ may say are not,
known to fame. If you should chance TO
visit that locality, and come across a
couple of fine-looking, broad-chested
young Englishmen, with an expression
suggestive of unlimited capacity for Grail
way business you will know us. From
the fact of having had a great uncle Chan
cellor my father insisted on there being a
vast amount of legal talent in the family,
and though l had learnt to sing "The
anchors weighed" in anticipation of a
sailors life, and invariably greeted the
housemad as the "son of gun" on calling
for my boots, as my elder brothers tastes
led him seward, | was devoted to the bar
Nv only consolation under the circum-
stances is the idea of going into the House,
| in spite of Col. Tomline, and at the same
| time go in for an instant repeal OF the law
of primogeniture.
In the peaceful seclusion of our cham
bers, undisturbed by briefs, we have mu-
tually wondered why Smiths friends
should have thought the same thing-have
decided on his filling the wool-sack-and
it was by series of long and sad refiec
tons we felt that the friends of every
Smith, Jones, or Robinson on the roll be-
lieved him to be the man. Smith, my
chum, was spoken Of vaguely as having
money" much in the same way as he is
supposed to have " expectations, - from the
fact of his possessing an aunt, Lady Black:
stone, of fabulous age, who was good
enough to visit our chambers on one oc
casion and express her disgust at the
shameless hussies" who protested to
dust the place, and to wish, in a voice to
make your hair stand on end, that she had
the busting of them" Beyond that cir
cumstance / know nothing of her views
or intentions.
Neither, says Smith, gloomily, does he.
| | had no more work than usual to do
this particular morning, and from the
window was looking into the court below
Just enough green to make one long fol
the country and the fresh morning all
coming over the uplands; enough dust tC
| give one sensation of hatred for the hO
flagstones.
Bodger, @. c., went by with his clerk
smart and dapper, and bag so bulky thai
it constrained Smith to shake his fist al
him, a gesture which, as Bodger hap
pened to look up at that moment, he made
as best he could into friendly wave.
There was a rattle of letters in the box
and being of a sanguine temperament, no
knowing what post may bring forth,
went to investigate, while Smith made {
sarcastic reference to the probable contents
No attorney implored our services, nc
one knew of anything to "our advantage,
but there was a hasty scrawl for me from
my cousin Belle Heartley. Now | ha6
always had an affection for Belle in M,
youthful days, carrying toffy in my poke
till it had lost all the hue and semblanct
of toffy, to give her as mark thereof
She never appreciated it; it may have
suggested Bob Sawyer's apple to her. A
all events it came to the same end, for
ate it myself. Here is the letter.
We want two more men for croquet. Now
Ned, dear, no pretense of business, Blu
come over to-day with a friend. Not TO spoon
remember, even with BELLE.
handed it to Smith.
CAL right" said he after he had reac
it; what time do we go?" Here h
seized a Bradshaw lying near. An hou
and half. Now, JONES'" he continued
impressively (have said that | wa
of the noble race of Shenkin -
Jones APP Adam p, edo not, l beg of you
my dear boy, ruin your prospects by sucl
n incidence" Smith had just breakfasted.
Here, Tom, you can tell anyone IN
quiring for u.s. Che Stunned my eye
"that we are engaged on railway busi
ness
Tom promised attention with the mos
commendable gravity
So prompt were Smiths movement