The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-07-10
AN UPTOWN DRAMA.


He was man of general dignity in the
profession. Miss Sampson" he once oh
served to the ehousemaid, "if ever should
be asked to drive them HOSES below Four
teenth street might do ii, but it would
break my heart; my selfrespect would bt
as good as sold of at anction. should look
forward to the grave, Miss Sampson, as
the only chance 1 had left in life" Such
with a few others, were the sentiments
which brought him the love and admira
ton of his business associates.
1t would have done your heart good to
see him seated on the box for his afternoon
drive. I pause in admiration as l recall
the picture Erect and immovable, his
eyes looking straight to the front, and his
whip-handle braced agains his massive
thigh, he would have reminded you Of a
statue by Michael Angelo, or, we will say,
Phidias. As the cook frequently re.
marked while standing at the front base
ment window, "Mr James is as fine a
formed man as this world ever produced,
to which the housemaid would add, 'and
| has every bit as fine a leg"
1t is no wonder that the generous mis-
| tress of the establishment used often to
stand the equipage before the door, so the
neighbors might enjoy the rich spectacle.
1t is true that there were certain incon-
gruities in James makeup. Miss Edith
and Miss Heloise had been having great
row in the drawing room over this livery
matter, and il is due to James to say that
during its progress he kept his eagle eye
dutifully applied to the key-hole. From
this point of view, as he informed the cook,
he saw the "Old Ostrich" enter-for it was
by this name that the mistress of the house
was designated compel a cessation of
hostilities by what James called an un
hrlx c.,r, r,r0Yrn
This consisted in giving the upper half
of the accomplished coachman to Heloise
to dress, while the lower extremIties were
turned over to Edith. You see, it was a
chance for them to exert their tastes, Mrs.
Bagley, however, as James mistress, kept
the overcoat and hat monopoly in her own
control. As all did their best independ-
entity of the others, the resultant James
came forth a particularly glittering gen.
erality. So gorgeous was ne that the doc
tor over the way was heard to remark: IF
had seen that fine fellow in the horse
cara, would have known him for great
officer; but Just what sized general he was
no one could have told without looking at
the map"
Heloise had chosen for her half an am
ple blue surtout with red trimmings and
No. 10 brass buttons, supplemented by a
yellow vest; while Edith introduced green
plush smalls with gold stripes, shoes with
silyer-plated buckles and flesh-colored
with an appropriate rosettc and cream
colored overcoat were supplied by the old
lady. 1t was Hector armed by three An
dromaches.
What wonder that James indulged in
wondering admiration at the power and
variety of This uniform, which so greatly
astounded the uptown population.
$50 lovelyw said Heloise. $50 perfect
a creature" said Edith. II mean my
part-his body" '.And / mine, his su-
perb, his manly, his elegant" He
isn't q coachman at allr" exclaimed Hell
oise, "he's dream"
Was their delight in his dress ever
changed to deeper and more tender in
terest in him who wore it? This has the
air of conundrum.
For some weeks after he entered the ser
vice of the giltedged family which had
the gumption to perceive his genius,
James grew more meditative. You
see, he had an idea He often had them,
but this was something extra He re-
marked to the housemaid in response to
her solicitude for his furrowed brow of
care: ave got an idea, and that's the
whole of it."
To prepre the reader for an exposition
ef this idea, the writer will state an Incl
dent in elucidation of James thoughts
about ideas in general
He was showing his subordinates how
10 spread out some horse-trappings upon
the stable floor. "Now, you see" said this
able logician, al lay the harness on the
floor fiat, like that; why do do it? It's
because I've got the idea II hadntthe
idea / couldn't do it. But / have the idea
don't you see, and that's why l do it; the
idea il in having the idea"
1t will be observed how carefully
James had formed his style OF thought
upon that of his wealthy employers. In
the cities of the old world gentlemen In
James profession copy each other me-
chanically; but in America the refined
and cultured groom initiates the noblest
attributes of his employer (unless that
parsonage happens to be a stock -broker),
and is consequently as good as he-per-
haps a trifie superior
It has taken us some time to find out
what inspiration James had got hold of
when he told the house-maid that he had
"a idea" but the delay is due to its ex-
treme brilliancy. We have been Obliged
% tackle it with caution, not having yet
obtained a patent for the divisibility of
the light.
The facts are these: James, who had a
carefully nurtured taste in newspaper
reading. aud kept himself current in all
the important scandals. had absorbed a
highly picturesque account of those two
exciting affairs in which wealthy young
ladies had eloped with their fathers
coachmen. Being a m..L Of noble am
bition, these romantic tales had burned
deep into his soul. Now "the old man."
otherwise Mr.. Bagley, Wholesale oranges,
Pearl street, had, as we have seen, two
daughters. He saw Jeptha, and he went
one better. To q logical mind like James
the inference was easy. What wonder
.h.. h;e aonl cliuched the thought that