The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-08-17


was not pleasant to have Tom squatting on
the stomach Of the reporter but in this po :
sition the two remained for some time,
whistling and singing duets. At last the
reporter struck up the "Blue Danube
Waltz" and in an instant Tom was on the
floor dancing in excellent time. This the
reporter considered an excellent time to get
up.and slide out, which he did without
much delay, leaving Tom dancing and sing
ing in the middle OF the room
THE THIEF.
1t was not because Rhoda Chauncy was
not exceedingly pretty that Mrs. Havers ob-
.lected to her marriage with her son Allen,
nor because she was not an exceedingly nice
person, and all that a mother might wish
her sons wife to be, but simply because she
was what Mrs Havers called u Nobody, and
that family potentate felt the necessity OF
alliance with a somebody.
As for being pretty, Mrs. Havers had in
her day all that beauty commands; had had
enough for both, and still had it, for the
matter OF that, but the Haverses were new
people, with some money, but not quite
enough. and wished to strengthen their re
Gently acquired position by union with the
old. Aud as for this pretty Rhoda Chaun-
cy, she was simply the friend and coapan>
ion of Mrs King; an adopted child without
any privileges of adoption, IS you might say
that is, comfortable in the present, and
unproyided for in the future. She was,
moreover neither new nor old so far as
family went she offered nothing to climb by
and would be merely al weight.
''You know very WE'LL Alien" Mrs Havers
said, as her son lay on lounge in her dress
ing room with his novel and his cigarette,
while she was cleaning her jewels-a little
operation she always undertook herself tor
fear of theft-''that desire your happiness
above ali things in life,'
"Oh, dare say he muttered contemptu-
ously, half under his breath.
But your happiness, she said more Sc
verely, isn't merely eating cake to-day to
have it sour on your stomach tomorrow"
"Oh, pshaw.'
You would reproach me very much if
had spoiled your digestion in that way when
you were d child. What is the difference
now?'
The difference is, said he with curious
flush through his languor, THAT now am q
man"
Now, Allen, look at the matter nationals
ly,' said his mother, pausing In her work.
''Th.s girl without money, without relatives,
without name, would be only milestone
round your neck"
blamed, mother, if you don't go off into
the abstract en- the least provocatlon OF any
one know. | am not an ogre, I'm not going
to eat anybody, SO what has digestion to do
with liz And how you get milestone out of
animal body before it undergoes petrifaciion
is conundrum of your own asking"
animal bodies do undergo petrifaction
sometimes, so tar as their hearts ale con-
cerned-and while they are alive, too, said
she, significantly.
We'll. it's blamed vulgar comparison,
anyway; and your great on the vulgar you
know She wouldn't make it, | can tell you
that"
Indeed. she's a person of taste, l pre-
sumeg" with some irony.
.'Tip-top."
And will marry you ~
1--WE no reason to doubt it, said the
young man, needing no sarcasm. and enjoy
ing complacent look In the cheval-glass
that reflected his long and graceful shape.
his handsome, pallid, rather blaze, counte-
nance.
Nor l, either" cried his mother, melting
from her brief anger with her one darling,
and sweeping her jewels aside, she ran to
him, and took the curly head IN her two
hauas aud kissed it as If it were still the
babes she remembered, till he rather impa-
iiently freed himself. after having submitted
with what he considered very good grace
for q reasonable time.
But that's the mischief Of it." she re-
sumed when she had taken her seat and
her channels leather again If she would
not. should be happier. You are very
bright, Alien; you can be anything you
choose Ii you would go into politics you
could as we'll be Governor as this young
Armisted'
Hes always hanging around her. con-
found aim, he said, lighting another cigar
elite AT his old one.
-.You could have been il his place now il
you had been willing to abandon pleasure,
sacrince to-day for tomorrow
What good is pleasure going to do me to-
morrow Imay be dead then. Carpe diem
Is matte good enough for me-
1t makes ne angry" cried his mother.
rubbing away viciously, s.to look At the fell
low. Everybody bowling TO him, owning
railroad himself. Governor this year. will
be Senator next year-not whit ADLER. not
whit better looking than you. aud just
you age
''Oa. hang him, mother What's Armissed
10 me-