Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1881-09-28
THE TUFTHUNTER'S,

Lord Tweelledum's hobby was music
Tor which he had quite u genius in
deed, had hc not possessed u cOf0net
he would have embraced II a. O proiea
sion, lll'natured people said that h'
could do nothing else hut what did u
matter II he did not take his degree
llc had u handsome fortune, therefore
lis bread was not dcpenden. on hi
brains, and his musical talent gave
great pleasure TO himself aud his friends
lie was the best amateur musician Ia
London the lest dancer, gave tho best
dinners at his club, aud the kindost
hearted man In the world, His piano
was his constant companion, lilo wa'
asked out as much for his music ~ ioi
his "handlc," and he took the part Of
his music master once. IN some private
thcatricals, no well, that II was uniyor'
sally acknowledged that no one would
have known that ho was not profes
sional,
Of course, IN his musical evenings
ont he heard q great variety Of perform
crs, He knew n great many Belgavian
mothers who gave musical soirees in
order that their daughters might per.
form. lie had listened scores Of times
to the same operate song from q prima
donna, and then screamed, or rather
yelled, by u fashionable young lady at
the West.cnd, who gave ono the idea by
her performance that she was being
murdered at every bar. lilo could point
to the tall man with the flute. who play.
ed the last popular air nearly every note
ont of tune, and was equally well &C.
quainted with tho Misses Thumper,
whose duets on The pianoforte always
rcsemblcd n race in which each was try.
ing to see which could arrive first at ito
winning.post; or with Lady Limp, who
who played rs il the keys were red hot,
and she thought that she might burn
her fingers by touching them. He knew
the little man with tho eye.glass WHO
bobbed backwards and forwards at every
bar while singing plaintive strains
about Ill mio cor" or mon lasciarmi,
and lookedanything but the unfortunate
lover whose part he was taking.
Like other fashionable young men
about town, he occasionally received
invitation cards through friends for balls
and parties. One of these came one day
from Mrs, Tufthunter, who had been
trying for several seasons to marry her
daughters, hut who, unfortunately, had
not n very large or select acquaintance,
and had consequently some trouble in
getting up "crush."
"NIy dear Jemima," said this lady one
morning, coming in to breakfast with q
letter in her hand, 81 have just received
n note from Mr.. White, saying that he
has secured his friend, Lord Twcedle.
dun, for our party on the 18th"
"lIow delightful, ma" said hel
daughter. "How grand it will sound to
have lord"
"Yes, charming" replied the mother.
81 only hope the party will 60 of we'll.
1t makes me feel little nervous, you
know"
Had the expected guest been the
friend Snooks or Jones, she would have
felt quite equal to the occasion; but the
fact Of securing live lord put Mrs.
Tuithunter in great hutter
"Nervous, ma ?" said Jemima. "Why,
You have had scores of parties before.
What on earth can you be nervous
about"
Mrs. Tufthunter made no end OF
preparations for her distinguished guest,
and ordered most recherche supper
with all the delicacies of the season, "
took the greatest pains to select her tip
top acquaintances to meet him, and
ordered new dresses for herself and her
daughters.
ooh, dear, what a misfortune! l do
believe I have asked that music ma Ster,
who Lady Compton wanted me to
patronize, to come and play tonight.
How very awkward. L never thought of
the date at the moment OF course, we
can't ask Lord Tweedledum to meet
him. What is to be done?'
"Put him off," said her daughters.
"Yes; but it's rather awkward doing
so, the first time and all ; but we can't
possibly have him now. ! think / will
send telegram to say that, being in
I cannot have the pleasure of
seeing him. You know 1 have head
ache, and am sure that I should work
myself into fits if that horrid, vulgar
professional were here when his lordship
comes in"
"Of course you would, ma," cried all
the daughters in concert. "Send tele-
gram And so the important message
was quickly despatched.
The establishment was quite upset by
this grand affair in prospect. Pater-
familias was sent to his club to dine,
and the ladies partook of "heavy" tea in
the library at six o'clock, in order to
give the servants time to lay out the
supper, and make the necessary arrange
ments for the evening.
AT half past nine Mrs. and the Misses
Tuf,hunter we're in the drawing.room
ready to receive their guests, but at ten
o'clock the head of the family had not
l1aue Ills appearance, WHICH caused
great alarm, for fear he had forgotten
all about the party. A few minutes
afterwards, however, in he walked, to
their great relief, and was received with
the chorus, "How late you are; what
have you been doing?'
ats only just ten," replied the
offender; quite early. The people
won't come yet"
In half an hour the fifth guest hda
arrived, and by eleven o'clock the room
was filing.
Lord Tweedledum was late, but then
fashionables generally were.
"My dears,' said the hostess to her
81 think we might begin
little music"
ayes, certainly said Jemima.
"Shall We have the duet first p
ayes, by all means"
So the mother and the two eldest
who were very musical, be-
gan 10 perform. NJ