The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1879-01-16
Eaggis's Secret

''Marriage.-The great astrolOger,
Signor Morgani, will return Il correct
likeness of your future partner upon
receipt of thirty stamps. Name, age,
and sex must be given, with a slight
description of personal appearance
Address Signor MOrgani, &C., &C.
"And this is your advertisement,
Morgan? All well!-I suspect yom
dupes are principally old maids and
school girls"
The speaker, handsome young man
about five-and-twenty, threw down the
local paper with merry peal of laugh
ter.
The person addressed, known in the
advertising columns as SignOr Morga-
nj, was no other than a certain plain
Tom Morgan, regular slip shod, care
less fellow, who, after trying his hand
ut various trades. and failing in all, had
finally hit upon the above mode, which
gratified his indoent disposition, by
calling forth little eXertion save the
exercise of that literary ingenuity of
which he possessed large share. lie
had formerly been Il school friend Of
Jack Cartoons, who, an hour or two
before the opening of this story, had
fallen in with him on his return from a
prolonged Continental tour, undertake
en- nommally for the benefit of his
health, but more possibly to help to get
rid Of the large income left him by his
father
The young men graSped hands cOrtli-
ally enough when they recognized each
other, and soon after adjourned to the
lodgings of Morgan to have a talk over
old times.
1t was during this talk that Morgan
cOntided to his friend his present mode
of living, with strict injunctiOns TO
keep it profound secret; "as of course
you see, old fellow" he said, ''it might
prove my ruin if known.
"You were always good-for-noth-
Ing scamp, Tom" said Jack,
"And you were always Il lucky dog,
Jack" returned Tom. "By the way,
what are you going to do with yourself
this Christmas?'
"Why to spend it in the jolliest style
at the iollicst place in Christendom,
replied Jack. "They have not seen me
at Barby Holt for eight years, and |
expect grandmother and the rest of
them will 90 mad with joy when |
make my sudden appearance there"
With this nattering conclusion Mr..
Jack Carleton, elevated his legs till his
feet reposed on the mantel-piece.
"Barby Holt Manor in Nottingham
shire?' inquired the Signor, suddenly.
"The very same, old boy" said his
companion. Why do you ask2"
"Only that had a letter from there
to-day" replied Tom.
"A letter! what abOut?" inquired
Jack, with innocent coolness.
"Why concerning my advertisement,
of course" answered Tom, rummaging
among some papers.
"Ah, one of my grandfathers guests,
| suppose, in for lark" said Jack.
whats his name2"
ut Is not man, replied Tom; "she
signs herself Maggie Barton"
Maggie Barton' exclaimed Jack.
al know her-at least did. May read
itY' asked, eagerly.
1t was short letter, in grlish
handwriting, describing herself rs tall
and slight, with golden hair and hazel
eyes, and requesting to be favored with
u cdrte-de-riSite Of her future husband,
return of post, of course. Enclosed
in the envelope was the fee Of thirty
stamps.
Carleton held the letter up before his
eyes long after he had read it.
Morgan. he said suddenly, "wll
you do me fayOr?'
"Anything you like replied the
Signor, in preocCupied tone.
Jack drew a envelope from his pock-
ct, ana selecting one likeness OF him
self from about dozen, he laid 1t on
the table.
"Morgan,' said he, 81 want you to
send this to Miss Barton, in answer to
her application; and mean it shall
come true, old boy"
II was Christmas Eve, and Miss Mag
gle Barton was putting the last touches
to her evening toilette for the forthcom-
ing ball,
She dismissed her maid, and, with
her pretty head little on one side.
was trying the effect Of u scarlet gera-
MUM among the ambrosial puils of
hair.
Presently the geranum was settled