, 1877-12-28
Fanny's Filtration.

Our noth--I speak of Fanny Blake
and me-had been plighted years before,
and was most solemnly renewed when l
left my native village to come and prac-
iics law in the city
But rumors at length reached me that
Fanny was receiving attentions, not quite
consistent with our relations, from a
daShing young stranger-one Mortimer
Fitz Flare, social star of the first mag
aitude, whose sudden appearance had
greatly dimmed, by comparison, the less
er lights of the village tirmaneut.
wrote to Fanny, expostulating with
some warmth. She replied with spirit.
i rejoinei with temper. She retorted
with more, adding an offer to cancel our
engagement, which, in some angry lines,
/ accepted. And so matters stood at the
time at which l begin my story.
was sitting in my Office one morning,
readings letter from home filled with vii
lage gossip, and recounting, with need
less particularly, l thought, the details
of report that Fanny Blake's becoming
Mrs. Mortimer Fitz Flare was only
question oil time.
The chagrin l felt was quite dispropor-
toned to any right l had to take an in
terest in the subject. But l did take an
interest in it none the less.
The train of my reflections was far
from agreeable, and l was by no means
Sispleased at its interruption by the en-
arance Of messenger with note.
A'Come to meet me at once" it read /;
Il am in trouble, and need your assist
=ance."
at was signed THOMAS BLAKE" and
came from one of the station. houses.
Tom Blake, FanDys brother, aud |,
had been schoolmates and fast friends.
Though not oyer-bright at his books, none
excelled Tom in boyish proves. More
then once he had stood my champion,
and had loved him, like brother, as
we'll for his own, as Fanny's sake; for
there was no better or more whole. souled
fellow than Tom Blake.
He had gone early to seek his fortune
IN the West, and / had never seen him
since. Could it be my old friend in dis
tress, who now hailed me for assistance2
The best way was TO go and see.
1t Oas Tom, sure enough. found him
seated on the prisoners bench, amid a
squad OF sorry-looking companions, all
waiting their turn for a morning dose of
justice.
"YOu see, )" said Tom, our greeting over,
81 knew you we're in the city, and looked
you up in the directory, and sent for you,
not knowing what else to do.n
Il am glad you did so,n / answered !;
but frat Of all, tell me how you got
herel"
Hang me if know whether it's more
serious or funny said Tom. However
I'll tell you the whole thing, and then
you can judge for yourself"
The officers suffered US to 90 aside to-
gether, end Tom thus recounted his
story:
- man who has lived five years in the
silVer-diggiDgs is apt to get little rusty
IN city ways, | suppose, especially if be
WAS never very we'll up in EN-. At auy
rate, when | landed here yesterday from
Nevada, have reason to believe there are
several points on which | might have
been better posted.
AS trudged up Broadway, looking
right and left at the sights. vas accost.
ed by genteel-looking person, whose
cour tenance betOkened great distress.
"'I am stranger here he said "A
telegram summoned me from Boston 10
the bedside OF dying mother. reached
this place by the last train, but nv pock-
ct was picked at the depot, and I am
without the means Of proceeding further.
"'I have valuable gold watch, how.
ever, gift from my deceased father. II
grleVes me deeply to part with il, but |
nave no other resource. | will sell it for
seSenty-nve dollars. If you will step into
thAt jewelers. store he added, you car
easily ascertain that the sum asked is mo-
half the real value