Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-02-04
only had the letter week. But mean

lar oughand-tumble affair. Perhaps ask
you to hold the twins"
But you like old jennings" l said.
Dear old boy, isn't he?" said Smith,
earnestly.
Well, he will feel sighted if you stop
away"
"Think he will?"
Sure to-"
Then I'll CO." said Smith. But I
shall be regular wet blanket on the
party"
The night of the Jennings party came
end, having weakness for children, [
meant to go early; but, being a medical
man, was called away, and did not reach
the Jennings place till halfpast ten.
There was regular shrek in the din
lng-room, mingled with roars of laughter,
the knocking together of chairs, and cries
OF Take carem as / Invested myself of
| top-cOat and hat; and when I edged in
through the door it was to see Smith, in
full evening costume, with two studs
gone out Of his shirt front, his white tie
Under one ear, the said shirt front a req
ular rag, his hair all touzled, a big white
handkerchief tied over his eyes, a young
Jennings hanging on to each coat tail,
and others batting him, as with out
stretched hands he CROPPED about trying
to catch somebody to take his place.
All, Dolby, glad to see you" said
Jennings, coming up Open-handed.
ooh, Mr. Dolby, how late YOU arem
cried Mrs Jennings.
Rare game, isn't it," cried Jennings,
hopping the perspiration off his head
(" declare it isn't fair" cried pretty,
SIIvery little voice; and little Jenny Grey,
Mrs Jennings sister, with rosy face, eyes
sparkling, and her sunny hair flying,
dashed under my arm just as a pair of
stout ones were thrown about me, and |
turned around to gaze full in the face of
Smith, who, with the handkerchief
dragged down, exclaimed loudly, and
evidently in great establishment:
"Halloow
Caught the wrong one, eh?" I said
Didn't know you'd come" said Smith,
evasively.
" Oh, Mr.. Smiths been such fun"
cried one of the children.
!" Do de frogs hornpipe again, Mitter
Sniff, cried tWin-third series.
" Thow Mithter Dolby the pigth in the
thty," said another twin-second series.
No, no, Mr.. Smith, do make the
pocket-handkerchief dance, and the old
man on the wall" said another.
My dear children, you will worry Mr.
Smith to death, - exclaimed beaming little
Mrs. Jennings
+" Oh, never Mindful rather like il, !"
said Smith.
"GiVe me another ride on your back,
Mr.. Smith," cried another; and as he
stopped to lift a chubby syrant on to his
shoulder there was a yell of delight and
a charge like hurricane-children hang
ing on to his coat tails, his legs, his arms,
garoting him, and he suffered it all with
the greatest cOmpOsure-indeed, with a
sense Of enjoyment shining out of his
face that was most refreshing.
At last, by installments and pairs, the
family departed for bed but not without
Smith being inveigled into carrying little
Johnny upstairs Then, with his feathers
smOOthed he was called upon to go down
to the snug supper provided for our
especial benefit
VIII you take Jenny down, Smith,"
said Jennings
Mr. Dolby is going to take me down,
Tom" said the pretty little lady.
And I played cavalier without motto
ing the air of discomfort in Smiths coun-
tenance.
The supper passed off very pleasant
ly; for little Jennie certainly was the
liveliest little girl I had taken down to
supper for years. She was chatty, too,
and full of repartee and mirthful re-
mark; while Smith grew silent and staid.
"Those children have completely
/ tired you out, Mr.. Smith," said Mrs.
Jennings.
: And Smith sighed and said: No. not
at all"
But he kept very quiet all the same
and when we went out together, about
twelve, there was hardly a word spoken
on the way to our chambers.
) saw Smith again and again during
l the next two months and could not help
remarking that a change had come over
2 him.
Its your liver, think, old fellow" ]
said; let me write you a prescription
a "No," lie said, it isn't liver. Pm as
: we'll as can be-"
+! l shook my head. But as he did not
seem disposed to give me his confidence
| did not care to press him; and time
: slipped on, with the poor fellow growing
more Quiet day by day.
4 think I told you that Smith was an
artist. He was, but in a d5Lettante kind
of way. He was barrister by rights
a but he did pot get any briefs, and he did
: not want any, but spent his time writing
r smart little articles GERS de s0ciete for q
: welLknown magazine. Smiths chambers
e were in the Temple, up at the top of one