, 1877-03-23

,,s ADVENTURE on THE LONG BRANCH
BOAT.

L-;gh,ly into the uncurtained window
oItbe little attic bedroom; a box OF pa
- collars lay open on the window-sill
III a smoked-out cigar stump adorned
~ toilet-table; before which our hero
-. waxing his moustache and arrang-
- the uustudied haxen waves Of hair
nbich drooped over his forehead; while
nurple satin neck-tie, transtixed with
an immense imitation diamond pin,
horned his breast, and dollar bottle
n can de Cologne stood ready to bedew
b;s cambric pocket-handkerchiet.
For Mr.. Tophaven, ordinarily impris-
.nod behind the counter, had holiday
and was going to spend it on the Long
Branch boat. :.
~AlI the aristocracy travel in that di-
action" duoth he to himself; land who
tnows but that may make an impress
s;on on somebody? Jones got rich
life by riding on the top of the same
,tage that she fell off from and broke
her arm. Jones jumped after her and
snnnorted her head. By natural conse-
o1ences. she fell in love with Jones
and married him. Poppleton made his
fortune by carrying rich widows
- noodle safe across q broken bridge.
Toye me, love my dogP 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-
6ned to business to have the opportu-
mites that most men enjoy, but 1 mean
10 have a try at 'em. I'll go to Long
Branch and back. It's not an expensive
trip. and I've partiality for the brlny
breezes that blow. Hang it all COM
placently eyeing the effect of the pur
nle satin tie and the imitation diamond;
IA man must be a 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,
"there'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 busi-
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 aswarm of child
rem? It's fearful vulgar, besides being
inconvenient. Eh, what? Old gentle
man wants a seat? Well, let him do as
Idid-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 o 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 the last minute,
carrying a little Italian greyhound un-
der her arm, and bird cage in the
other hand, CONT lining terrified little
bird, which was huttering wildly to and
fro against the gilded bars Of his pago-
da prison.
"Oh, my goodness grAciousl" cried
the young lady. ''Stop there with the
plank, if you please, young man. Oh,
shall certainly be be left. Oh Oh u
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
ruthlessly draw away the plank.
Hold on. my man" said he, "dont
you see there's lady coming?"
The man muttered something about
rules and regulations.
The lady smiled sweetly on Mr.. Top
haven as he assisted her across and took
the cage from her.
As he did 80, pasted label on it ar
rested his attention for second.
Miss Lesbia Vane, $500 Fifth Ave-
nue."
Novice as Mr.. Tophaven was in the
history Of the fashionable world, he was
yet familiar, through the newspaper
columns, with this name-the name OF
agreat heiress and belle in the circles
Of society.
His heart gave o thump-the color
started into his face.
Here was the opportunity at last, pat
to his hand.
Won't you take this seat, MADAME "
ne said, in rather hurried sort of way.
Il shall be depriving you" said the
lady hesitating.
I'D rather stand-I assure you that
would" said Theodore. Lovely
hne."
Positively enchanting" said the
young lady.
Ever been to Long Branch before?
hazarded our hare