Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-11-28

But each OF us sails in different barque,
VITA different angels to guide the PROV.
-Harper's !Mlgc=ine.
TIMETABLES TURNED.
| am not sure that it rebounds much
to our credit. will tell it, however, as
a warning.
So our guest answered an inquiry
made by young and, it must be con-
fessed, somewhat conceited member of
the little party gathered together one
winter evening around our dinner-table.
Hang the credit. that person re-
piled. He was rather uplifted, for he
thought be had that evening won dis.
tinction in the sight Of lovely pair of
eyes, then wasting their sweetness in the
drawing-room. The owner of the lovely
eyes had beeen widow for some years;
she was rich, elegant and clever. There
was q humorous wrinkliug about the
mouth of our middle-aged guest, as he
answered.:
Hang the credit! So I can say now
with a light heart. Then the credit was
of more Importance 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 first settlers, and it got abroad at
home that gold was to be had simply for
the asking. Adventures poured in.
The native war brought in adventures
of another kind men whose lives had
been played out in the old country, and
who were ready for any kind of devil
try. Oh. can assure you there was at
times a singular collection in the settle
ment. l could tell you one or two tales
that would surprise you. This how
ever,-turning to the person whose re-
mark had provoked his tale-is not of
so desperate character.
You must understand that, at the time
of which speak-things are much
changed now-we had neither library,
nor theatre, nor concert-room, and were
driven, now and then, to queer devices
for killing time. Some few of US took
up with practical jests, but, after time,
even these palled. Every one in our
community became 80 wide-awake that
the most artfully.conducted scheme
broke down. If it did succeed, on the
other hand, the vengeance taken was so
dire as to be alarming. We were sorely
il need of patent butt.
1t happened that, at this time,
young solicitor whom fortune had not
favored at home, taking it into his head
that competition was Staying bis talent,
determined to try his fortune among US.
He was certain-and he was not far
wrcng-that in such a community
causes for litigation would abound.
He was Chilly acquainted with one
of my friends, and wrote to him of his
intention, asking him at the same time
to be SO kind as-in the poor fellow own
words-''just to let the people know,
you know, that I am coming"
The letter was shown about, and that
same evening my friend and I, with two
or three others whom we let into our
secret, went out together, armed with
large pieces of chalk. In the morning
there was much questioning in the COM
munity, for on every bit of boarding,
every blank wall and gate, was posted
up in gigantic letters, "He is coming"
Again and again were the notices
expunged by indignant househoIders.
Again and again were they imposingly
reproduced. The police were set on the
watch; we either browbeat or bribed
them. People began to think that there
was something mysterious in the bust
ness. We, of course, kept our own counsel,
and, at last, one fine morning, second
advertisement appeared. 1t was to this
pffpct. He hoo oonoo -
In the interval our friend had heard
again. ~ shall arrive by steamship
Benares," our solicitor wrote. IL hope
you will let the people know" We had
let the people know to some purpose. It
began to be rumored abroad that Joke
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 decor.
ated it with flowers. As soon as the steam
er dropped anchor, my friend and put
of in q small boat to receive and bring
to shore our distinguished guest.
He was small, delicate looking man,
with a face as refined as that of q wo-
man. had slight prickings of COM
junction when l met him. He was so
delightfully."- frank and confding. IL
say" he said to his friend, az we neared
the decorated landing-place, edo they
expect any swell?
"They expect you, my dear fellow"
was the reply. "1let people know, you
know"
You must be a jolly, hoxpitable set.
But what am to say to them all?'
NO necessity to say anything. Just
bow as you pass throug b." :
"Oh! scarcely like"
You must, my dear fellow, YOU
must. Not to acknowledge this brilliant
reception would stamp you at once a.
churl."
The young fellows color rose. He
was as shy and sensitive as a girl. hut
rather than appear ungrateful he would
have gone through any ordeal, and pre-.
sently -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
MS back. 1t was understood that butt
was 6elng brought into the community.
Inc BOWS were gravely returned: and,
as, like an honorable bodv.9uard. va
formed round the new-conar tn e.cort
him to bis hotel, the crowd that had
gathered to receive him fell into procas-
sion behind us. ~
1t was the cold season, and We called
on him the next morning to take h;n,
for ride. He. was full Of his plea.ant
reception, and anxious to become per-
sonally acquainted with those who had
80 interested themselves in him.
oh! you'll know them soon enough. !"
my friend said. "Shouldn't wonder if
you md when you go back, that half
me community has been calling on you"
Ano sure enough, when he returned,
toele was his table heaped high With
Yas'ans cards. his eyes listensd.