The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-01-22

to be put away as the imposing card OF
Mrs. Whitby was handed in, and the
lady herself was admitted to the sitting
room. It so CHANGED that / was in the
adjoining room taking my dinner by
myself, Minerva having dined from
tray:
it until this morning ut the Opening!'
said Mrs. L. Hodsgate, after many ex-
carnations of pity for Minerals condi-
ton. "Such shame you couldn't go
twas splendid and yet didn't care to
buv neutrality-suspicious. is a lille apt to
lack stvle in his dresses" Next she be-
walled her (Minerva's) inability to be pre-
sent at somebody's "bonnetrooms" the
next day. and at some place equally i'm
portant on the following one; and then
suddenly was reminded of the browning
glory of all, the forthcoming party Mt
the Pingwings-she must go.
"No," answered Minerva, sadly; "the
doctor says ! shall be laid up for a
month"
Feeling terribly. Mrs. Whitby said
goodbye. but returned again to the door
i'll moment. saving
sob. Nivvy, You better not let p.
Green chats myself go to many OPEN
mas; YOU know they have lots of pretty
girls at them-thcre was one quite hand
some one mt Ackman's to-day"
She withdrew and was borne off in
low barouche, living back and looking
much like an oyster on the half-shell.
Yes, '"Thc Pingwings'" were going to
give party-''a right down slap-up
time" So Pingwing himself told me.
He is a man of more dollars than educa-
ton. But one day he happened to dis
pose of his interest in distantlylocatcd
mine (second to none in present and
prospective wealth hut those of ancient
Golconda-it got reported so, ut any
rate, in some strange Way, just before
tho veins dried up" And since, he
has devoted his gains to obtaining for
himself and family II position in society.
They did not have any before. And ho
has done it. Now they are known as
"The Pingwings."
On the evening of their great party, l
quite astounded Minerva by appearing
before her in an anti-party costume
dressing-gown and slippers.
Wasn't going
"No; I've got capital excuse" l
said, Gin staying at home with you: You
know I'd rather be drawn and quartercd
always than go to a party"
mo matter if you had. If you don't
go, people may think we had no invita-
ton. certainly do not need you here. "
And she set her we'll foot down that l
must 60
And. therefore, l shed my comfortable
clothes and went. bordering on my way
and trying to recall the phraseology of
my wedding ceremony-whether the
word "obey'' was in it, and if so, if l
agreed to he the only one to do it.
Although it was not late whom | came
home. Minerva had retired and an UNI
educated person would have said she
was asleep, because she snored little.
But when she is asleep she does not
snore. | have observed. was therefore
quite prepared to have her rouse and
ask. "ls that you Phineas ~ And then
followed few other questions before
coming to the most important one of all.
"How was Jennie Whitby dressed (her
name is Jane elegantly | suppose"
"But you probably do not suppose
that she wore II dress precisely like the
tlt 'oitfSht ,NoU AZ hiith "hiN'
she did,"
"You don't mean it,
eyes do. And if You had the wit
of goose you could see that all her
anxious haste, that day she called, was
not on account of your sprain, but solely
to find out if You would he confined to
the house long enough for her to sue
cced in getting the dress made and
worn
Il vow, I'll sell mine to a secondhand
clothes dealer and tell him to put it out
side for Il sign. OF course l never can
wear il now.
"Wcll, my mind is not profound
enough to suggest what to do; but If
am not forced hereafter to go to OPEN
mas. and you have learned to place your
trust somewhere else than in I. Hudsgate
Whitby, | can call it cheap at hundred
dollars"
ONE dark night last week. three enter
prising villagers-Jim Coon, Jim Keogh
and Geo. Talcott-cautiously proceeded
up in the vicinity of Vandyke's woods,
in search of chestnuts. Hastily mount
ing tree. with suitable sticks, they
went to work with vigor, and thrashed
away with such effect that after awhile
there was not leaf visible. Then they
rested from their labors, and being
somewhat tired, and the hour late, they
concluded to come around early and
gather up the nuts. The following
morning Jim Coon got out first, and by
throwing small stones at Jim Keogh's
window, got him out. 1t was about five
o'clock, and soon they arrived upon the
scene of that nights operations. What
was their amazement to discover that
/ %lo,- had hoan all that timo Mr0sLjnU n