Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-01-17
Vales and Sketehes.
A FIGHT FOR A WIFE.
lcoNTINUED FROM YESTERDAY. |
By WILLIAM BLACK.

1.j
You see, my dear Miss Newton" re.
marked our gay friend, "you must do un-
to others as you would be done by. Now
| mean to give America three full
months aas
"Oh, are you coming over ?" the girl
SAID, her whole face inadvertently light
ing up.
ION, yes" he answered in his off hand
way. Il have long purposed it. Now I
shall do it-in the autumn When do you
say your papa will probably be going
back ?''
about the beginning of September"
she said; and then she added, quite I'm.
guardediy. land what pleasant thing it
would be if we happened to find you in
the steamerp"
"Well, said he, sagely, Il have gener-
orally found that man should never
leave such things to chance. Itis better
to play the good genius for yourself. Ac.
cordngly, think that if you 90 over to
America in the beginning of September.
and if you would kindly let me know the
name OF the steamer, you may pretty
confidently reckon on finding me-you may
call it by chance if you like-among the
passengers.
"Oh, and we could introduce you to so
many nice people-mamma would be most
delighted to do so. But do you really
mean to go overp' ~
II give you my word of honor" said
he, "that if you will tell me what steam
er you 60 back TO America by l shall 90
by that steamer too. and take three
months holiday in the States. Is that ex-
plicit? or shall l put the terms OF the
contract in wrting?''
Now, an extraordinary incident occurred
at this moment Humphreys, with an
amiable smile on his face, suddenly called
out:
IL say, Maurice, it must be uncommon
ly slow tor you up there. Come on in
here. and I'll change places with YOU"
Could more courteous offer have been
made The young man refused sulkily.
Then he was pressed; and at last he con-
sented. Mr.. Humphreys got up beside
the driver; and presently we heard him
begin to chaff that serious person in !,
fashion which brought many smile to
Miss Amy's lips. She was evidently lis
tening more to him than to u.s.
| We drove up and through the beautiful
woods of Cliefden. the birds singing all
around us, the white clouds sailing
through the blue overhead. We drove
on to Burnham Beeches. and there. in
the midst of the forest, saw the great
gnarled and twisted gray trunks, to which
even the least imaginative of Londoners
make pious pilgrimages. We drove back
20 Maidenhead Bridge, and had luncheon
at the inn there, and went down to
the river and wandered about for an hour;
then we got into the wagonette again and
set out for NARROW. All this time the
most patient and winning efforts of Queen
Tita were Intellectual in smoothing down
the savage feelings of the young man
who sat beside US.
"There is nothing" he said to Miss Amy,
(Which vexes me US much as a show Of
coarse ioviality and plow boy wi, when one
is in the midst of beautiful scenery. A
day like this reminds you Of many things
you had half forgotten and when these
associations are present to the mind. pain
ful and sad as many OF them may be, it is
not pleasant to be shocked by an imperti-
nent jocuarity. Don't you think so?''
But why should a pretty piece of
county make you sad p she said, quite
naturally and cheetiully. ""lt ought TO
raise ones spirits
| He said no more alter that and indeed
silent person Is apt to be overlooked il
he have four companions all sufficiently
talkative. That Young man was losing
ground.
| CHAPTER IV.-TIE CHALLENGE.
| When we got back TO NARROW the two
ladies went indoors we three strolled
round to the meadows by the side OF the
river. | did not at all like the look of the
young mans face; there was mischief
brooding.
II suppose" said he to me, in rather
loud and ostentatous fashion. THAT Miss
Newton is under your care ?"
''She is for the present"
And how do you like" he continued,
in the same loud fashion, "her making an
assignatiOn to be accompanied to America
by gentleman who has only been casu-
ally introduced TO her parents, and OF
whom neither she nor they know any
thing!'
"lf you mean me, young gentleman
said MIR. Humphreys, ceasing to whistle
Loves Young Dream I'D advise you
to be little more respectful"
"Age commands respect, certainly
said the younger man, with an unmistak-
able sneer.
Yes, and school-boys, when they don't
show it. get whipped" remarked the
other, beginning to whistle again.
'rll tell you what it is" exclaimed
Maurice, turning fiercely round. .'I'll tell
you what my opinion is. that man whc
tries to entrap a young girl into clandcs-
tine appointment, and without tho knowl-
edge OF her parents, and he Old enough to
be her father, is no better than cad-I
said cad, sir"
"Oh. did youP Did YOU. really'' said
Mr.. Humphreys.
| Now there is an operation which, in the
vulgar tongue, is known AS "ballooning,"
and which consists in Seizing person from
behind by the collar of his coat and by an
other portion of his attire, and driving him
on before you. A person who is thus ''ba'-
looned' is very helpless; he may squeal. or
use bad language, or try to kick. but on he
must go. Well, no sooner had Mr. Maui
rice uttered these last words than Mr..
Humphreys Immediately laid hold Of
him in the manner above described,
and began to run him down the
slope of the meadows to the side OF the
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