Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1882-03-30
The Victim of Charity.

= II was stl IL tiluIctI idll. stlltt ll0
, come there at the special request OF
. his "cousin,' who was at the head OF
the flower table. He opened the door
bashfully, and stood, hat in hand
, looking at the brilliant scene before
him, when young lady rushed up,
and, grabbing him by the arm said:
''Oh! you must, you will take q
chance in our cake. Come right over
here. This way"
Blushing to the roots of his hair, he
stammered out that he Greatly didn't
have the pleasure of knowing
''Oh? that's all right said the
young lady. ''You'll know me better
before you leave. I'm one of the
managers, yon understand. Come
the cake will all be taken if you don't
hurry And she almost dragged
him over to one of the middle tables
''There, now-only fifty cents slice.
and you may get gold ring. You
had better take three or four slices it
will increase your chances, you
know
''Iou're very good" he stammered
But I'm not fond of cake; that is,
l haven't any use for the ring-I-."
''Ah, that will be ever so nice" +"
said the young lady, ''for now if you
get the ring you can give it back and
we'll put it in another cake
"l-e-e-s,' said the young man with
a sickly smile. ''To be sure, but"
''Oh, there isn't any but about it, :"
said the young lady, smiling sweetly.
You know you promised"
''Promiscd?''
"Well, no, not exactly that; but
you will take just one slice!' and she
looked her whole soul into his eyes.
"Well, | suppose
80 be sure. There is your cake"
and she slipped great slice into his
acknowledgement hands. as he handed
her a 81 bill. 80. that is too nice.'
added the Young lady, rs she plaster
ed another piece of cake on top of the
one she had just given him. Il knew
you would take at least two chances. :"
and his 81 bill disappeared across the
table. and then she called to a COM
panion: 80, Miss Larkins, here is a
gentleman who wishes to have his
fortune told
80, does he? Send him right
over answered Miss Larkins.
Il beg your pardon, but I'm afraid
you're mistaken. | don't remember
saying about
80, but you WILL" said the first
young lady, tugging atsthe youths
arm. Its for the good of the cause,
and You wont refuse" and once more
the beautiful eyes looked soulfully in
to his. Here we are. Now take an
envelope; open it. There. you are
going to be married in year. Isn't
that jolly! Seventy-fve cents, please. -
This time the youth was careful tt
hand out the exact change.
''Oh, l should just like to have my
fortune told. May I?' said the frs
young lady.
, "Of course you may, my dear
said Miss Larkins, handing out one O
her envelopes. ''Oh, dear, YOU ar,
, going to be married this year. too
Seventy-tive cents more, please, an'
the poor youth came down with anothc
dollar note. "No change here. yor
know added Miss Larkins. putin.
the greenhack in her pocket.
G ''Oh, come lets try our weight,
said the first young lady, once NOR
5 Juggling at the bashful youths Goa
Y sleeve, and before he knew where h
was he found himself standing on tn
: platform of the scales. "One hun
: dred and thirty-two.' said the yOun!
lady. ''Oh, how | would like to be
d great, heavy man, like you,' and sh
: jumped on the scales like a bird. On
hundred and eighteen. Well, that i
= light. One dollar, please
h what" said the youth, lone dol
lar. Isn't that pretty steep? Imean
k l.
" "Oh, but you know said the youn
lady, ''it is for charity" and anothe
e dollar was added to the treasury @
d the fair.
Il think I'll have to 90. l have a
engagement at
n ''Oh, but you first must buy me
q boquet for taking you all around,
}. and they were soon in front of tn
: fiower-table.
70 'Here is just what l want" an
/ the young lady picked up a basket c
o roses and violets. ''Seven dollars
1t please"
,e "Oh, Jack, is that you!' cried tn
poor youths cousin from benin
:. the flower-counter, land buying flow
,e ers for Miss Giggle, too. Oh, l sha
IS be terribly jealous unless you buy n
basket, too," and she picked up a
10 elaborate affair. 's1welve dollars
IS please, Jack" and the youth put dow
rs the money, looking terribly confuse
o. and much as though he didn't kno
j. whether to make bolt for the doc
in Or give up all hope and settle down
despair.
al you'll excuse me, ladies'"
8. stammered, "but l must go; l hay