The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-02-16

HIS ADVENTURE ON THE LONG BRANCH
BOAT.

HIS ADVENTURE On Idh hONo onANSh
BOAT.
"Why not to me, as we'll as another
MANI" said Mr.. Theodore Tophaven.
The yellow August sunshine shone
brightly into the uncurtained window
of the little attic bedroom; box of pa
per collars lay open on the window-sill
and a smoked-out cigar stump adorned
the oilet-table; before which our hero
was waxing his moustache and arrang-
ing the unstudied faxen waves of hair
which dropped over his forehead; while
n purple satin neck-tie, transfixed with
an immense imitation diamond pin,
adorned his breast, and a dollar bottle
of eau de Cologne stood ready to bedew
his cambria pocket-handkerchief.
For Mr.. Tophaven, ordinarily impris-
oned behind the counter, had holiday
and was going to spend it on the Long
Branch boat.
Cali the aristocracy travel in that di-
rection," quoth he to himself; "and who
knows but that may make an impress
sion on somebody? Jones got rich
wife by riding on the top of the same
stage that she fell off from and broke
her arm. Jones jumped after her and
supported her head. By natural conse-
uuences, she fell in love with Jones
and married him. Poppleton made his
fortune by carrying rich widows
poodle safe across broken bridge.
love me, love my dogr says the widow,
and she endowed Poppleton with all her
worldly goods. There's no reason that
what's been done once can't be done
again. To be sure, I'm too closely con-
fined to business to have the opportu-
mites that most men enjoy, but mean
to have O try at 'em. I'll 60 to Long
Branch and back. It's not an expensive
trip, and I've partially for the briny
breezes that blow. Hang it oil " COM
placently cycling the effect of the pur-
pie satin tie and the imitation diamond;
"a man must be gentleman some
times"
So Mr.. Tophaven walked down to the
pier and sauntered leisurely. on board
the boat, as cavalierly as if he had moth
ing on earth to do but enjoy himself.
But all the while he had both eyes
wide open for the anticipated adven-
ture.
"Hollo," said Tophaven to himself,
sthere's an old lady slipping on piece
of orange peel. Let her go. Cotton
gloves and newspaper parcel under
her arm-such people haven't any bust
ness to be elbowing their way on board
the boat. There goes . young lady
nearly off the gang plank, helping her
little brothers and sisters on board.
She'd have been in the water if that
policeman hadn't caught her arm. Why
will people travel with a swarm Of child
rem? It's fearful vulgar, besides being
inconvenient. Eth, what2 Old gentle
man wants seat? Well, let him do as
1 did-fnd one. If people expect good
seats. they must be in time"
And thus commenting on the haps
and mishaps of his fellow travellers,
Mr.. Tophaven lounged luxuriously on
the most comfortable seat he could Sc
lect-one elbow gracefully disposed on
the rail, the other supported on his
knee, until an elegantly dressed young
lady in q light gray silk suit, pinned
back according to the latest enormity
of the fashion, long white plume on
her hat, and stone colored kid gloves
hurried on board at tho last minute,
carrying a little Italian greyhound I'M
der her arm, and bird cage in the
other hand, conV lining terrified little
bird. which was futtering wildly to and
fro against the gilded bars OF his pago-
da prison. =,
"Oh, my goodness gracious! cried
the Young lady. "Stop there with the
plank, if you please, young man. Oh.
/ shall certainly be be left. On F! Oh J!
Here's my opportunity, thought
Mr.. Theodord Tophaven; and with
laudable promptness and presence OF
mind, he rushed forward and arrested
the grasp of the man who was about to
ruthiessly draw away the plank.
Hold on. my man" said he, don't
YOU see there's lady coming?"
The man muttered something about
"rules and regulations"
The lady smiled sweetly on MIR. Top
haven as he assisted her across and took
the cage from her.
As he did SO, a pasted label on it ar
rested his attention for second.
"Miss Lesbia Vane, 1900 Fifth Ave-
nue." -
Novice as Mr.. Tophaven was in the
history of the fashionable world, he was
vet familiar, through the newspaper
columns, with this name-the name OF
a great heiress and belle in the circles
of society.
His heart gave thump--the color
started into his face.
Here was the opportunity at last, pat
TO his hand. 81,
won't you take this seat, madam"
he said, in rather q flurried sort OF way.
.T I'LL ha danr;vinC Won" said the