Weekly Trinity journal., 1875-03-20
SMITHS REHEARSAL.

1rlenQ.
For instance, he was good Hooking, but
not SO good-looking that you felt jealous
when you introduced him to the ladies of
your acquaintance. He was tall and
strong enough to take your part when
physical force was necessary. He was
well enough off not 10 want to borrow
money Of you and to lend it when you
wanted to borrow yourself. And TO
crown all, he had q temper of the most
Save description imaginable. If he
played whist with you and won, he pocll-
eted the money; if, on the contrary, you
Won, it was all the same TO Smith-you
pocketed the money that was all. To use
the language Of the by-gone professors Of
" the noble art Of self-defense," Smith
was man who always came up smiling,
and for him life seemed 10 have no care.
1t is said to be long lane that has no
turning and Smith found that there was
turning in his at last, and the turning
led him into a quagmire of misery-into
a Slough of Despond. must tell you.
by the way, that Smith in spite of his
god looks was q bit of a cynic. He
sneered at women and looked upon them
as an inferior order Of beings-only suit
el to make into shirt makers, the settlers
on of buttons and the washers of gar
ments. 1t was very Objectionable for a
man to have such points; but then we
are none of US born perfect.
I" How a MANN his right senses of
mind" said Smith to me once in conf
dence-"can go with his eyes wide open
to woman and say, Here, my dear, let
me be your slave for life, finding you in
house room ard dresses gets over me.
And the matter doesn't stop there, for no
one could ever supply q woman with all
she wished for Then look at her chill
dren and the consequent expenses there.
Even if a man could treat it in this light,
namely, that his income would double on
marriage, and go on doubling with every
child born unto him, it would be a great
undertaking but as matters are oh, my
dear boy, it's atrocious ! I'll never mar
ry. Just look at Jennings"
"Not here" said, to look at"
"No, dear boy" he said suavely.-
But look at his position, mentaily-twelve
children, twins three times, which makes
a sextet. Fancy-being man with a
ssxtet It's horrible ! Try another of
these cigars, old fellow. l wouldn't be
Jennings for all the world"
"Nice little wife, though" l said.
"Yes, she really is,' said Smith, "a
most amiable little woman. How well
come she always makes you when you
go Jennings is very proud of her."
$50 he ought to be-" said. Mrs. j.
is model little woman loves her hus-
band dearly and always has sweet can
did smile for his old friends. Seen her
sister ?"
EYES," said Smith, "I've seen her.
But after all it's a sad position for a man
to be placed in-tied up to a woman.
How he must look with envy upon his
bachelor acquaintance All, woman,
woman las Milton said, whose mortal
taste brought death into the world and
all our woe.'"
Gently" said l, you must inAict
quotations on your friends do it correctly"
"That's quite correct, L assure you,"
said Smith.
"Qute Incorrect" ] said.
Is it, really, though ?" he asked,
opening his pleasant gray eyes very wide.
We'll, do you know, now, that tho't
it was quite right?"
BY the way" | said, the Jenningses
give party next week. Are you going
Dear boy, no." said Smith; " they in
Nited me-"
And you declined ?"
"Well, no, haven't declined yet. |
have only had the letter week. But |
mean to-"
"Don't decline, then but CO."
why, my dear fellow, they'll have
all the children out, and cake and oranges
and bindman's-b buff. 1t will be a regular
rough-and tumble affair. Perhaps ask
you to hold the twins"
but you like jennings" ] said.
"Dear old boy, isn't he 2" said Smith
earnestly.
"Well, he will feel sighted if you stay
away"
"Think he will? ?"
"Sure to-"
"Then I'll CO." said Smith. But !
shall be regular wet blanket on the
party"
The night Of the Jennings party came,
and having a weakness for children,
meant to go early, but being a medical
man, was called away and did not reach
the Jennings place till half-past ten.
There was a regular shrek in the din
ing room, mingled with roars of laughter,
the knocking together Of chairs and cries
OF Take care ?" as ! divested myself Of
top-coat and hat and when | edged in
through the door, it was to see Smith in
full evening costume, with two studs out
OF his shirt front, his white tie under one
ear, the said shirt front regular rag, his
hair all touzled, big white handkerchief
over his eyes, young Jennings hanging
on to each coat tail, and others batting
him, as with outstretched hands he crop
ed about trying to catch somebody to take
his place.
"Ah, Dolby, glad to see you," said
Jennings, coming up open handed.
"Oh. Mr.. Dolby, how late you are %
cried Mrs. Jennings.
"Rare game, isn't it ?" cried Jennings,
rnopping the porspration off his head.
" declare it isn't fair" cried pretty,
silvery little voice ard little Jenny
Grav Mre Tcnnin0s, sister with rOsv