The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-10-16
TIMETABLES TURNED.

!.
He was rather uplifted, for he thought he had
that evening won distinction in the sight of a
lovely pair of eyes, then wasting their sweet
ness in drawing-room. The owner of the
lovely eyes had been widow for some years;
she was rich, elegant and clever There was
humorous wrinkle about the mouth of our
middle.aged guest, as he answered. 3&
"Hang the credit! So I can say now with a
light heart. Then the credit was of more i'm.
portance to me. However you shall Judge.
You have heard, he went on, turning to the
gentleman who headed the table, "that in the
early days of our settlement we were wild lot
Large fortunes had been made by the tirstset.
tiers; audit got abroad at home gold was to
be had simply for the asking. Adventures
poured in. The native war brought in adven.
turers of another kind-men whose lives had
been played ont in the old country, and who
were ready for any kind of deyeltry. o! ]
can assure you there was at times sin.
gular collection in the settlement could tell
you one or two tales that would surprise you
This, however, to the person whose
remark had provoked his tale-"is not of 50
desperate character"
You must understand that at the time OF
which speak-things are much changed now
we had neither library, nor theatre, nor con
cert room, and were driven now and then to
queer devices for killing time. Some few of
us took up with practical jests, but after a
time these palled. Every one in our commu-
nifty became so wide awake that the most art
fully constructed scheme broke down. If it
did succeed, on the other hand, the vengence
taken was SO dire as to be alarming. We
were sorely in need of patient butt.
It happened that, at this time, a young
solicitor whom fortune had not favored at
home, taking it into his head that competition
was Staying his talent, determined to try his
fortune among us. He was certain-and he
was not far wrong-that in such community
causes for litigation would abound.
He was slightly acquainted with one of my
friends, and wrote to him of his intentions,
asking him at the same time to be so kind as
in the poor fellows own WOrds-"ust to let
people know, you know, that am coming"
The letter was shown about, and that same
evening my friend and I, with two or three
others whom we had let into our secret, went
out together, armed with large pieces of
chalk. In the morning there was much ques-
tioning in the community, for on every bit of
boarding, every blank wall and gate, was post
ed up in gigantic letters, HE is coming.''
Again and again were the notices expunged
by Indignant householders Again and again
were set on the watch; we either brow-beat
or bribed them. People began to think there
was something mysterious in the business.
We, of course, kept our own counsel and at
last one fine morning second advertisement
appeared. It was to this effect; "He has
come"
In the interval our friend had heard again.
II shall arrive by steamship Benares," our So
icitor wrote; II hope you have let people
know" We had let people know to some
purpose. It began to be rumored abroad that
ajoke was on foot, and the whole community
focked to the landing place.
To preserve the delusion, we had paved the
jetty with scarlet cloth, and decorated it with
flowers. AS soon as the steamer dropped
anchor, my friend and put off in a small
boat to receive and bring to shore our dis
tinguished guest.
He was small delicate looking man, with
face as refined as that of woman. I had
slight prickings of compunction when
met him. He was SO delightfully."- frank and
confnding. IT say" he said to his friend, as
we neared the decorated landing place, "do
they expect any swell%'
"Ihey expect you, my dear fellow" was the
reply. II let people know, you know"
'sYou must be jolly hospitable set. But
what am to say 20 them all?''
mo necessity of saying anything. Just
bow as you pass through"
20! scarcely like :"
"You must my dear fellow, you mnst. Not
to acknowledge this brilliant reception would
stamp you at once as churl."
The young fellows color rose. He was as
shy and sensitive as a girl. but rather than
appear ungrateful ne would have gone
through any ordeal, and presently-oh! dear,
I can see it noW--he was stepping out on the
scarlet cloth, and bowling graciously to his
right hand and his left. '~
No need for us to wink and nod behind his
back. It was understood that butt was
being brought into the community. The bows
were gravely returned; and as, like an honor
ably body guard, we formed round the new
conner, to escort him to his hotel, the crowd
that had gathered to receive him fell into
procession behind US.
1t was the cold season, andwe called on him
the next morning to take him for ride He
was full of his pleasant reception, and anxious
to become personally acquainted with those
who had so Interested themselves in him.
friend said. shouldn't wonder if you find, |
when you 60 back, that half the community
has been calling on YOU" And sure enough. |
when we returned, there was his table heaped |
high with visiting cards. His eyes glistened |
"1've heard that people abroad were hos. |
kind Of thing I didn't expect"
My friend glanced over the heap of cards.
"Ah!" he said, 'the most influential names. |
They don't often call GU newcomers. sup
pose you impressed them favOrably yesterday |
Sharp set of fellows, too! You had better lose |
no time in returning their civility."
II will make my return calls this afternoon" ,
he said warmly. "Can you give me an idea
of the addresses?'
mo need" Everybody knows everybody
here. You have only to ask. wish I,eould |
vn'' h"t shall he so hnsv this
$50 shall l." said I, "but we will look in
upon you later" ..,.r...f .-
80! and stay to dinner, do!'' replied our
young friend, and we readily agreed
To one of us, as it happened, the offer of a
dinner was not thing to be lightly treated.
We were not surprised when, at the proper
hour, we made our appearance, to see the
young new conner look weary and depressed,
He frightened when he saw us. ....
$50 kind of you to come!' he said. And
presently: "Either must be stupid at un-
derstanding directions, or everybody does not
know everybody in your settlement. Such
Wlld-goose chase as l have had this after
noon" .s,sit-,s s&.s r. rs-
"What" cried my friend with we'll assumed
surprise You didn't find them?" And his
voice SO clearly commented: s'YOu must be a
foolish fellow!" that the young mans color
rose .u- -. : a.-,....t ~ ri
II must have another try" he said "But
was not this strange? l showed one of the
names to a member of your police force. He
directed me to the road leading out of the
settlement, and walked on for about an hour
expecting of course to reach some house. All