The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-10-29
AN UNEXPECTED PRIZE.

AHtO uitcnlel all uhy through.
AN UNEXPECTED PRIZE.
Many years ago, chanced to find my
self, no matter how, wandering listlessly
about st, James Park, London, oil 9
pleasant afternoon, meditating most de-
spondingly on gloomy prospect that
was before me.
I was w,ll.dr:ssc ard prosperous
looking, so far rs exttrnals went. but had
been without occupation some time, and
did not have more than four or five shill-
ings IN my pocket. Ny only valuable
possession, of worldly character, was
costly watch and chain, the dying gift
Of II wealthy and este emed relative and
much as the thought of parting with it
panied me, was seriously contemplat-
ing placing it in the hands of n pawn
broker, as the only means of raising the
price of a second cabin passage back to
Baltimore, my native city, where knew
that warm friends would welcome me,
aud at the same time opportunities be
afforded me for retrieval of my former
ly fortunate poSition in the world.
Still, hated extremely to fly to this
dsrnier resort, honorable enough as IL
-. L. l,, oss Aa.,
aud at last fell into moody attitude on
bench near one of the most fashionable
promenades, where fell to turning the
matter ever and over in my mind in the
most oxasperating and disconsolate way.
had sat there for half an hour or
more pensivcly watching the gay tbrongs
flowing to and fro, AID wishing that
lad a little Of the equivalent that seemed
wasted on SO II uch tincry that WAS every
where Displayed in fine dresses, flushing
jcwelry and eorg. ous equippagcs, when
We ll-drrtsed, elderly gentleman, II per-
feet stranger to me-, seated himself OH the
same bench, and greeted me with a
pleasant bow.
returned his politeness in kind, and
some remarks on the weather were in
terchanged, when we were interrupted
by the heavy striking of the Horse
Guards clock. not far away.
"wha,! five o'clock Bless mel ex-
claimed the stranger, starting up, ''and
have to diue at the Marquis OF LIS at
seven. What shall do2 am n p,ri,c C,
stranger in London, and shall c,rtuinly
lose myself if attempt to reacl: my lodg-
ings unattended
/ suggested public conveyance.
"No, mol" said he; II would sooneI
wander in Bulgaria than enter one OF
those filthy cabs or hackney-coaches,
Sir, perceive that You ara evidently @
resident of the court end of the town
Will yon, You are going in that direc
tion, take me unoer your guidance so fil
as Belton street,"
His distress seemed so undisguiset
that acceded to his request, hoping
that would at the time be enabl,d Il
diisipate some of the disagreaabl'
thoughts that were oppre essing me 81
greatly.
My new acquaintance's conversation
became very animated on the way. Ill
talked ieelingly of the innocent joys of
rural life, as contrasted with the depTav
ity OF great towns, and especially viii
the enormous profigacy of London
which he termed the combined Vanit.
Fair and Moral Cess-pool Of the Uui
verse;" il reccollect his words Alright.
replied alphabetically. and whel
we arrived at bis door he proft ssed sucl
an admiration for my excellent princi
Piles that he insisted, in such frank AM
hearty manner, on my going in and tax
ing a steak with him. that finely con
sented, and, in view of my dsplete
finances, with greater willingness than
permitted TO appear.
The Marquis of L." slid the old ger
tleman, sis very old and esteeme
friend Of mine. We were ehums at Chris
Church, Oxford, forty years ago. II
permits me to take all sorts of libertie
with him."
We entered a pleasantly y-furnishe
room Of the house, and there, while wal
ing, he told me OF an opening be ha
lately made in valuable coal-mines on b
estate in DeVonshire, which had brougl
him up to London; mentioned his hR'
ing exchanged pack of fox-hounds wit
the young Earl of -, in some pla'
with an unspeakable name, for a shoe
ing lodge on the Scottish moors; an
asked me il I knew how the Prince
- was of for thoroughbred hnnte
just at that time.
Somewhat overawed by his obvious =
quaintanceship with titled notables,I i W
concealing my Ignorance under At
coughing manufacture TO order when
waiter entered with our steaks; and car
tai ones they proved.
Our dinner eudsd, my host pressed 9
wine ON ne. and started successive
fresh topics Of conversation. until 8
entangled in a long debate on geael
politics. which coat bin three bottles
- a