The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1879-12-18

prey; It's like pretty woman; nc
use to struggle; [ must-dash it off. >
II see" said Dick.
YES" pursued the painter; sit all
comes easily, easily to me; it's mot my
business; it's pleasure. Life is my
business-life-this great city, Paris
Paris after dark-its lights, its gar
dens, its odd corners. Ahaw he cried
Ito be young again! The heart is
young, but the heels are leaden. A
poor, mean business, to grow old
Nothing remains but the coup d. ail
the contemplating mans enjoyment
Mr.. -" and he paused for the
name.
"Naseby," returned Dick.
The other treated him at once to an
exciting beverage, and expatiated on
the pleasure Of meeting compatriot
in foreign land; to hear him, you
would have thought they had encoun-
tered in central Africa. Dick had
never found any one take fancy to
him so readily, nor show it in an
easier or less offensive manner. He
seemed tickled with him as an elderly
fellow about town might be tickled by
a pleasant and witty lad; he indicated
that he was no precisian, but in his
widest times had never been such q
blade as he thought Dick. Dick pro-
tested, but in vain. This manner of
carrying an intimacy at the bayonet's
point was Van Tromp's stock in trade.
With an older man he insinuated HIM
self; with youth he imposed himself,
and in the same breath imposed an
ideal an his victim, who saw that he
must work up to it or lose the esteem
Of his old and vicious patron. And
what young man can bear to lose a
character for vice?
At last, as it grew towards dinner
time, DO you know Paris?" asked
Van Tromp.
mo so well as you, l am con-
vinced," said Dick.
"And so am I, returned Van Tromp
gaily. Paris! My young friend
you will allow me?-when you know
Paris as I do, you will have seen
strange things. | say no more; ali |
say is, strange things. We are men
of the world, you and I, and in Paris,
in the heart Of civilized existence.
This is an opportunity, Mr.. Naseby.
Let US dine"
Dick consented. On the way to
dinner the Admiral showed him where
to buy gloves, and made him buy
them; where to buy cigars, and made
him buy vast store, some Of which
he obligingly accepted. At the res
taurant he showed him what to order,
with surprising consequences in the
bill. What he made that night by
his percentages it would be hard to
estimate. And all the while Dick
smilingly consented, understanding
well that he was being done, but TAX
ing his losses in the pursuit of charac-
ter as hunter sacrifices his dogs. As
FOR the strange things, the reader will
be relieved to hear that they were no
stranger than might have been ex-
pected, and he may find things quite
as strange without the expense of a
Van Tromp for guide. Yet he was a
guide of no mean order, who made up
for the poverty of what he had to
show by copious, imaginative COM
mentary.
"And such," said he, with a hiccup,
"such is Paris"
"Poohl' said Dick, who was tired of
the performance.
The Admiral hung an ear, and look
ed up sidelong with glimmer of sus-
picion.
Good night" said Dick; ''I'm tir-
ed"
$50 English!' cried Van Tromp,
him by the hand. $50 Eng
lish! So blase! Such a charming
companion! Let me see you home"
Look here" returned Dick, Il have
said goodnight, and now I'm going.
You're an amusing old boy; | like you,
in a sense; but here's an end of it for
tonight. Not another cigar, not an
other ogrog. not another percentage
out Of me-"
Il beg your pardon!' cried the Ad-
miral with dignity.
Tut, mani. sad Dick; you're not
offended; you're a man Of the world, L,
thought. I've been stud dying you,
md it's over. Have [ not paid for
the lesson? Aurevoir."
Van Tromp laughed gaily, shook
hands up to the elbows, hoped cor
lially they would meet again and that
often, but looked after Dick as he de-
parted with tremor of indignation.
After that they two not unfrequently
fell in each others way, and Dick
would often treat the old boy to break
asst on moderate scale and in a res
5aurant of his own selection. Often,
90, he would lend Van Tromp the
natter Of a pound, in view of that
gentleman contemplated departure
or Australia; there would be a scene
IF farewell almost touching in charac-
er, and week OF monthslater they
would meet on the same boulevard |
without surprise or embarrassment. |
And in the mean time Dick learned !
more about his acquaintance on all
,ides; heard Of his yacht, his chalse
md four, his brief season of celebrity |
mid a lore confiding population, his
of whom he loved to whim-
Der IN his cups, HIS SpoHSIuS, pdid-
;itical, nameless way of life; and with |
Zach new detail something that was
lot merely interest not yet altogether
grew, up in his mind to-
wards this disreputable stepson of the |
Lrts. Ere he left Paris Van Tromp |
vas one Of those whom he entertained |
o farewell supper; and the old gen.
lemen made the speech of the even
ng, and then fell below the table,
Weeping, smiling, paralyzed.
CHAPTER II.
ALETTER TO THE PAPERS.
Old Mr.. Naseby had the sturdy, un-
utored nature of the upper middle
lass. The universe seemed plain to
lin. The things right" he would |
av. or "the things wrOng;" and there |