The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1879-08-21
THE LAST DITCH.

While the proud figure Of tho sphinx is al
that can see. = y ~. '7A-' '~-''> '~
! The LAST. DITCH. III
Fred Grover sat IN his attic mp town.
A few short months before, Fred had
left his home in Massachusetts to study
medicine in New York. His father had
gwen b,s son some good advice, and(what
Fred thought great deal more vaiuable)
five hundred dollars to pay his board bills
and other expenses. His mother had CIV
en- him new set OF shirts, some flannel
jackets, fifty dollar bill-which she had
saved from her housekeeping expenses
made him promise to be a good boy
which Fred very readily did, for he in
tended to be if he could-and off he start
ed.
2 When Fred arrived in New York he
set to work mantully, having determined
= 10 rival Mott or Carnechan in very short
time or ANONYMOUSLY retire from the pro-
fession.
New York is very seductive, and--1
am sorry to say it-Frcd Grover was very
fond of pleasure. Consequently, he soon
became an accomplished player at bllli-
ards, and quickly discovered the houses
where the best 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, tor
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 10 he did not know. Having
been in New York only three months
and spending five hundred and fifty dsl-
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 for four or five
weeks. Fred had yisiteda pawnbrokcl
several times, and had left that gentle,
man, who so kindly lends money ia
those who are in want ofit, his watch, Il
dozen shirts. one or two coats, and several
pairs Of pantaloons.
:. Frcd's landlady had received no money
tor some time, 80 she began to importunc
/, him for pdy ment, and had limited mildly
that if some was not forthcoming very
shortly Fred would have to find new
clearinghouse.
Well, rs said before, Fred Grover sat
in his attic, bordering over his ill~luck-
as he called it, but correctly speaking
over his improyidencc--and deplorine
the hour that brought him to New York
How seldom we think of blaming on,
own lmprudence We generally manage
to find an excuse for our little weak.
nesses.
''1f," unused Fred, II were to write tc
mother, know she'd send on the money
bnt can't do that-no, I'll starvc first
wonder if-come inv
The last two words were shouted in q
tone much louder than there was an,
occasion for, but Fred had been inter
rupted by tap at the door, and it hat
some what startled him.
The door slowly opened and in stalkct
matronly-looking woman, with rather
red face, and who had three curls or
each side OF her face.
Fred turned all manner of colors.
"Afr. Grover" said the lady, ''would
you let me have some money, if yo,
please?''
Il haven't any to-day, Mrs. Jackson
but, but"
But what, sir?" and the matronly
looking woman frowned at poor Fred
II was gong to aay expect remit
lance from hone in a day or two ant
then III give you some."
Mrs. Jackson's face twitchcd about all
manners of ways; finally she said:
e. IF you cannot let me hove some mon
ey tomorrow, Mr. Grover, shall feel OBJ
liged to you ifyou will get another board
ing-house.
Fred readily promised to let her hav
some money the following day, though
where he was going to get it from h
hadn't the widest idea. However it was
respite, and he shouldn't have to fac
Mrs jackson till the following day.
When we owe money and promise t
pay tomorrow, what a long way off tina
tomorrow appears.
When Mrs. Jackson had left the roon
Fred put his hands to the bottom of hi
trousers pocket and began to walk abou
the room with rapid strides
"What the deuce is to be done?
don't know. Let me see-oh that's n
use; I've pawned everything that's pawn
able!''
Fred threw himself upon his bed t
try and calm himself. He counted al
the flies upon the ceiliug, and onged t
be . fly because they didn't have to pa
board bills.
"By Jove, good i.lea!' said FREQ
starting up. "I'll try to borrow it; yer
likely Jim can lend it to me-"
He seized his hat and hurried from Il,
house.
Attached to the house that Fred la
just left is yard, but called by the lane
lady garden; behind that garden is
small lane leading to nowhere in partic,
lar, and having its entrance in stree
chiefly devoted to tenement houses, di1
and squslling children.
~ About eleven o'clock that night a ma
very carefully looked over the fence thu
separated the aforesaid garden from til
aforementioned lane. Looking careful
~ around, he drew from his pocket pal
of pincers, and commenced breaking o
short few Of the spikes that were on til
top OF the fence, and had been put ther,
presume, for the express purpose of ar
noying the neighboring cats.
After counting the number he ha
broken of, by feeling them with hi
hand, he carefully climbed to the top {
the fence, and then lowered himself int
the garden.
90 "Blamc the things!" he muttered, ha,
ing alightcd in the middle of a lilac b,,sl
which slightly scratched him, "there
always something to interfere with a fc
ow6 business"