Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-08-04
The Last Ditch.

given his son some good advice, and
(what Fred thought great deal more
valuable) five hundred dollars to pay
his board bills and other necessary ex-
penses. His mother had given him a
new set of shirts. some flannel jackets, a
fifty dollar bill-which she had saved
from her housekeeping expenses-made
him promise to be good boy-which
Fred very readily did, for he intended to
be if he could-and off he started.
When Fred arrivAd in New York he
set to work manfully, having determined
to rival Mott or Carnochan in a very
short time or ANONYMOUSLY retire from
the profession.
New York is very seductive, and L
am sorry to say it-Fred Grover was
very fond of pleasure. Consequently,
he soon became an accomplished player
at billiards, and quickly discovered the
houses where the best drinks and dinners
could be obtained.
When young men indulge too freely
in good dinners, cigars, etc., they observe
with surprise how quickly their money
disappears. 1t was so with Fred, for
having occasion one day to draw twenty
dollars out of the bank, where he had
deposited his money, he was somewhat
disconnected by being told that there
was only two dollars and some odd cents
to his credit.
Fred went home feeling pretty badly.
What to do he did not know. Having
been in New York only three months
and spending five hundred and fifty dol
lars, he couldn't write home for more
no, that was impossible, so he made up
his mind to attend lectures regularly
and study tremendously hard.
Poor Fred
So things went on from four to five
weeks. Fred had visited pawnbroker
several times, and had left that gentle
man, who so kindly lends money to
those who are in want of it, his watch,
dozen shirts, one or two coats, and
several pairs of pantaloons.
Fred's landlady had received no
money for some time, so she began to
importune him for payment, and had
limited mildly that if some was not
forthcoming very shortly Fred would
have to find new clearinghouse.
Well, as said before, Fred Grover
sat in his attic, pondering over his i'll
luck-as he called it, but correctly
speaking, over his improvidence-and
deploring the hour that brought him to
New York.
How seldom we think of blaming our
own imprudence We generally man.
age to find an excuse for our little weak
nesses. ID
"If," mused Fred, 81 were to write
to mother, l know she'd send on the
money but l can't do that-no, I'll
starve first. l wonder if-come in !''
The last two words were shouted in q
tone much louder than there was any
occasion for, but Fred had been inter.
rupted by tap at the door, and it had
somewhat startled him.
The door slowly opened and in stalkel
a matronly looking woman, with rather
AIRED face, and who had three curls Oh
each side of her face.
Fred turned all manner of colors.
''Mr. Grover" SAID the lady, "woult
you let me have some money, if yol
please ?"
81 haven't any to-day, Mrs. jackson
but, but" '"-t
"But what, sir 2" and the matronly
looking woman frowned at poor Fred.
ii was going to say | expect remit
tance from home in day or two. an
then I'll give you some.
Mrs. Jackson's face twitched abou
all manners Of ways; finally sh
said:
"lf you cannot let me have som
money tomorrow, Mr.. Grover, l shal
obliged to you if you will get anothe
boarding house"
Fred readily promised to let her hav
some money the following day. thoug1
where he was going to get it from b
hadn't the widest idea. However,
was respite. and he shouldn't hav
to face Mrs. Jackson till the followin
day.
When we owe money and promise |
pay tomorrow, what long way off tina
, morrow appears.
When Mrs. Jackson had left the roo
7 Fred put his hands to the bottom of h
! trousers pockets and began to wal
! about the room with rapid strides.
, "What the duce is to be done I?
don't know. Let me see-oh, that's I
c use; I've pawned everything that
: pawnable y
Fred threw himself upon his bed
: try to calm himself. He counted all t
o flies upon the ceiling, and longed to
8 fly because they didn't have to p
board bills.
: "By Jove, a good idea |" said Ere
e startling up. '.I'll try to borrow
II