The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-09-15

"If you had been cooped up in ding
back office all day, you would appreciat
the park more than you do at present"
AT this timely juncture dinner was an
nounced and saved Mrs. S. from an angr
reply, which would have been unfortunate
for she never got the better of her HUSBAND
in dispute, and knew nothing OF the gen
tie efficacy of the "soft answer turneth ava,
wrath. The momentary pause enabled MI
D. to recover his courage, although he hat
the grace to appear slightly disconcertet
while making known his purpose, a delcat
matter, considering the nature of their lat
conversation.
Dinner ready,..eh. Well, it being Satur
day, and feeling so debilitated and complete
ly worn out, / concluded--that is, I'd hal
made up my mind to take flying trip t.
the Cape"
"In-deed P' Mrs. S. sat bolt upright now
and oh, the scornful bitterness of that on
word indeed" 1t struck TO the very sou
of poor Mr.. Shrimp |H'
"Only over Sunday. I'll be back OF
Monday morning; and you don't begrudg
me that little recreation, trust" he judi
ciously explained.
but the expense. Does it cost maj
nothing at the sea shore when unencumber
ed by wife or children ?" was the LADY,
whitening question.
Don't be silly. If had the means t.
take you with me it would require week q
least for you to get ready"
"How considerate Is it your pleasure tt
have dinner before you go?" Mrs. s. arose
from the sofa with great dignity, and he
manner was so frigidly polite that the "Lort
of her destiny" thought her decidedly the
coolest thing he had seen for many day.
Because if you do intend to so honor II.
you have no time to spare. ! am otter
obliged to wait your convenience, but be-
lieve railway trains are less obliging," chill
lingly concluded the lady
| 1t must be confessed that Mr.. Shrimp did
feel himself rather small and mean But he
was not one to remain long embarrassed, par
ticularly if the object was only his wife, SO
he replied carelessly:
Il do not care for dinner. l took lunch
at Guys as | came up, Boggs is going down
and will be company for me. III stop at
one OF the cheaper hotels or 1; cottage, per-
haps, and the expense will be triaing. Be
so good as to put few things in my vaise,
and let's have no mords about it Maria"
The "few things" were placed in the va
lise according to orders. Maria was silenced
as she always was, but very far from being
convinced. Mr.. Shrimp kissed her and the
children, the mere shadow OF kiss, it was
80 hurried and formal, caught up his bag
and duster and hastened away to the Market
street ferry. At Camden he met his friend
Boggs. They entered the smoking car to-
getber, selected seats on the shady side, lit
their cigars, and gave themselves up to the
tranquil enjoyment of the hour Presently
they were Joined by other benedicts who
were also ON their way to the seaside
Shrimp suggested euchre, Boggs seconded
the motion, and the fascinating game began.
Shrimp in particular was very fond of the
amusement, and stated facetously that he
never went anywhere, not even to hear
Moody preach or Sankey sing, without a
"euchre deck" in his pocket. 1t was only
when The depot was reached that the game
came to an end, and then Mr.. Shrimp be-
thought him of the serious question of where
he was to stop. Several times during the
progress of the game the matter hoated
vaguely through his mind, but never with
any definite result. The idea of stopping at
a cottage had been abandoned at Vineland.
| At Millville the second-class hotel passed
into oblivion. The nearer he approached
the sea shore the richer he began to imagine
himself, and the first sight of the breakers
made him feel quite millionaire. "Hang
| it," he muttered, "a fellow don't go to the
Cape often, and when he does he wants to
see life. It's only day anyhow. Cottage
means flies, blue ilk and soft butter. A
third-class hotel means more flies, softer but
ter, and the running down three pair OF
stairs in quest Of ice water, and after all,
the best is always the cheapest in the end y
Thereupons he concluded to go with Boggs
to the Stockton. With what glorious air
he writes his name in the hotel register, "T.
Shrimp, Phila." 1t looks well. Oh, Maria |
If you could but have seen it with the beau
titul flourish under the final p. even your
icy nature would have melted and your heart
been fiji led with love and pride for the part
ner of your joys and sorrows. But Maria
did not see it, and Mr.. Shrimp is not think
ing of Maria. He is being shown to room
that commands fine ocean view, and from
which he emergcs half an hour later feeling
new man, for he is rejoicing in the first re-
spectacle collar his throat has known for
month, and realizes with intense satisfaction
that his wristbands are free from damp dents
and detestable wrinkles
In the evening he plays game of billiards
"a little expensive, but life is life. Then
he looks in at the dancing. Then he sees
Mr. and Mrs Golfer, the latter fresh and
blooming as a rose.
"Eh, good evening"" cries Mr.. Goefler,
shaking hands with Mr.. Shrimp. warmly.
"Glad to see you down, old fellow, most deu-
cedly hot in town. hardly know how got
here. My wife hustled me off in a way she
has of her OVID. l had no idea of coming
twenty minutes before started"
ooh, John you know always consult
YOU" laughingly demonstrated his wife.
"But where is Mrs.Shrimp and the children?
with you suppose.
swell no. / could not persuade Mrs.
Shrimp to come. She dislikes the fatigue
and trouble of getting ready, and so sent me
Off alone. Besides she rather prefers the
mountains to the dea shore. But despair
of her going anywhere this summer, she is
so wrapped up in the Exposition, and enjoys
going there and to the Park with the chill
dren, she says, more than she would any
mere summer resort. The watering places
will last but the Exposition will not, and it
is her desira In make tho ,ooat Of 4, %