Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-02-08


description"
"But it seems you do not know Of
what description L am"
"Why, sir, no one can expect to keep
these sort of things secret"
What, then, is it whispered about
that amp"
Whispered Lord, sir, it was in
everybody's mouth before breakfast T.
And what does everybody say 2"
"That you are broken down miller
hiding from creditors" And here he
cast shrewd glance on the threadbare
pepper-and salts OF the stranger, who
regarded him for moment with comic
expression on his features, made him
profound bow, and walked off.
Not whit humbled by this repulse,
the stranger repaired to the place of
general promenade and took possession
of q vacant place at the end of one of
the benches, on which was seated two
or three of those important people who
had from time immemorial invested
themselves with the dignity of the head
persons of the place.
These worthless did not allow him time
to make their acquaintance, but with an
air as if they dreaded infection, they
rose and departed. Not the least dis
composed by the distaste the great men
of little L. evinced for his society, the
stranger drew from his pocket a box,
lighted q cigar and smoked for some
time with great relish.
At length, perceiving o new set of
loungers on the promenade, he hastily
dispatched his cigar, and approaching
one of the other benches, addressed q
few courteous, though trifing, observa
tions to its occupants, three ladies and
a gentleman but had his remarks been
either of blasphemous or indicate
nature, they could not have been re-
ceived with a greater appearance OF con-
sternation by the ladies, who rose
alarmed at the liberty the man had
taken, while the gentleman observed,
with the most aristocratic demeanor,
that he labored under mistake in ad-
dressing those ladies.
Sir" said the stranger, "you are
right I took you for persons of polite
ness and behevolence. Discovering my
error, crave your pardon and retire. !"
Although any reasonable person
might have been satisfied from these
specimens of the inhabitants, still the
man who carried his own bundle" per-
severed in his endeavors to find some
liberal-minded person therein. From
the highest to the lowest. a general
feeling of suspicion seemed to pervade
the bosoms of all, and the luckless
stranger resided in the town o whole
week without finding single excep-
ton.
The habitual good temper. and light
hearted gaiety of the stranger was ruff
fled and there was q compression on
his brow, and an angry glow on his
cheek, as he entered that notorious gos-
sip-shop, the post office. The mail had
just arrived, and the letters having been
sorted, were delivered to their respect
i've claimants. But there was one let
ter that had not been claimed, which
excited general curiosity.
According to invariable diurnal GUS
tom, all the town-people who had moth
ing to do, were assembled in or near
the post office-those who expected let
ters to receive them, and those who did
not, to take note of the epistles directed
to their neighbors.
The unclaimed letter was of tempt
ing appearance, surmounted with
coronet addressed to the Right Hon.
Admiral Lord A B, and franked
by the Duke of A. Many were the sur
misses offered ON the subject. Could it
be possible that a. man of his high rank
meant to honor them with his presence
for the season? But then he had not
engaged lodgings. No matter, there
were plenty disengaged. Lord A
B would doubtless arrive that day
with his suite. 1t would be the saliva
ton of the town for the season to be
able to announce such an arrival in the
country papers. The presence of my
lord was perhaps prognostic of visit
from the duke and the mighty duchess.
During theydiscussion, in which by
this time the whole town was engaged,
there were some whose curiosity to
know the contents of this important
epistle was SO great as to betray them
into the endeavor of forestalling Lord
A B in reading all that was
come.at-a-ble in his letter; but the en-
velope was folded SO as to battle the
most expert in the worthy art of round
readings.
The stranger (who had remained an
unnoticed listener in the crowd, and
had quietly seen the letter passing from
hand to hand through large circle)
now stepped into their midst, and max
ing low bow, said
Gentlemen, when you have amused
yourselves sufficiently with that letter,
l will thank you to hand it over to me,
its rightful owner"
TO you p exclaimed the whole town
and corporation in q single breath.
this letter, which is ranked aud sealed
by the Duke of A, and addressed
to Admiral Lord A B@?'
am he, gentlemen" said the stran-
ger, making sarcastic obeisance all
around. 4" l see you do not think that
the son OF duke can wear such coat,
and carry his own bundle on occasion.
However, see one within hail " no can
witness to my identity. Here, you Jack
Braceyard, have you forgotten your old
commander ?"
Forgotten your honor No, no, my
lord, exclaimed Jack, springing into
the midst of the circle. IT knew your
noble lordship the moment I saw you !;
but remember your honor's humor too