The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-11-17

TOOK my cue at once. AVOID MI. DldteTs d.
range matters in such way that Mrs. Slater
could engineer me through the evening An
the time Lad a sensation that in avoiding MI.
Slater was avoiding an old and tried friend
There was something strangely familiar Ii ms
face; in the almost courtly wave OF ms hand
as he directed his guests 10 the reIreshment-
room: in his protecting manner as ne walked
about first with one lady, then another lean
not recall distinctly the events of the evening
I have confused impression OF lights, How
ers, music, and people, much like any other
party yet with certain differences The dress
ing was not in particular good taste. and the
German was managed IN most extraor-
binary manner At II o'clock the man who
was to lead it came forward with hat con-
tanning scraps Of paper. l noticed that all the
men went up and drew slip of paper. They
examined it, and retired into the crowd L
couldn't imagine what this ceremony meant,
and felt sure that when my turn came should
make some frightful blunder. As l thought
this, I found Mrs Slater beside me. She hur-
riedly explained to me that this party was one
of a series Of Germans given at the houses OF
her friends, and that there had been some
feeling on the part OF certain young ladles pc
cause others had been oftener asked to dance
the German and drive home afterward than
thew had In order to obviate this system of
lots had been arranged, by which chance alone
decided the matter. each young gentleman"
concluded Mrs Slater, "can bring any young
lady that he wishes to the party; but he is ex-
pected to 90 home with the lady whom he
draws for the German You dance, Of course?"
she added, with slightly stern manner-the
manner of proprietor. / said that could.
Accordingly [ drew my lot, and found my
self the partner of pretty girl, who
proved to be the daughter Of Mrs. Raggles.
This is my journal; no one will ever see 1t;
I can be honest; Impressed Miss Raggles. |
think impressed every one that met L
realized that on the mere making good I'M
preston depended my success IN the future
To talk, to dance, to firt, to eat ice-cream at
the rate of three or four dollars an hour-for
the present this was my profession. Why not
elevate it. glorify it, by doing these things
better than any one else had ever done them?
There was an exhilaration in the thought. 1t
positively inspired me. | was in constant de-
mand, and was presented to almost every one.
Toward the end of the evening Mrs. Slater
asked me to sing. thought it odd for large
party, but sang my best One thing damped
my spirits had been standing in the door
way, when l suddenly became aware of two
walters who were whispering together at
short distance. In a lull of the music their
words reached me.
(which did yer say he was?" said one in
loud whisper.
"Thats him-him there by the door,
the good-lookin' fellow. Looks as if he
didn't have nothin' in the world to do
but stand there all the evening, answered
the other.
"You don't say!" calculated the first; "and
he gets fifteen dollars for dom the likes of
that? You and me has missed our vocation,
Bill"
I could have knocked down the impertnent
fellows, but, after all, what right had l to do
it? 1t was all true "Noblesse oblige," Imut-
tered through my clinched teeth; and catching
Mrs. Slaters stern glance, went to do my
duty by taking my partner to supper.
At tha close Of the aVnninO Mr. Slater came
up to me- He was certainly dignifed look
! ing old fellow, but he seemed unhappy.
SWELL, Mr. Valentine" he said, with rather a
melancholy smile, "you have done remarkably
well Been quite the life of the evening. Try
ing thing to entertain a party Of this size
| This is the first time we have done it. How do
you think it went off? Your candid opinion
now"
Remarkably well, said
I noticed that his manner to me was secret
and confidential, as if we had entered into some
dark partnership of crime.
"Mrs. Slater" he continued, lis an am
bilious woman, and it was her idea hav-
ing you. She wanted different style of
young man from those we have been accus-
toned to, and"-looking at me with sad
pride-"she got it-she got It,"
As looked at him his face seemed to grow
more familiar. At this moment Miss Raggles,
who had gone up stairs to get her cloak, made
her appearance. l babe hurried goodnight
to Mr.. and Mrs. Slater and accompanied the
young lady home She lived in that part of
Fifth avenue which is OH the confines Of both
New York and Harlem. She treated me as a
distinguished stranger, and ended by inviting
me to call Unsuspecting Miss Raggles Her
mother had apparently gone home hours be-
fore In the Slater set they managed things
in this way.
wonder when am to be paid.
JAN 22-I have discovered where have
l,4a hngO, 14O 1.11 81
yesterday to buy some gloves q was paid the
morning after the Slater party, and as 1
walked down the shop one of the individuals
popularity known as walkers" approached
me.
"What do you desire sir?" heard pomp-
Gus voice say. "Where may direct your"
"Gloyes," | said, mechanically.
"Third section on the right hand, Fourth
avenue side, Sill"
looked at my guide as a familiar tone
struck my ear. 1t was MI Slater. At the
same instant he recognized me. A moment
before we had been independent human be-
ings-at the next our consciousness of the mu-
tual knowledge we possessed of each other de-
stroyed our comfort Mr. Slater walked away
in one direction and [ in another. Still, it
was comfort to know where had seen him
before
Jan. Ell find that whole week has
elapsed since | have written anything in my
journal The truth is, have been too miser-
able This occupation is degrading Every
where go some fresh humiliation awaitsme.
The very servants look on me with suspicion.
At one place the butler followed me around
all the evening as if / were thief | don't
think any one noticed it, yet [ could not rid
myself of the feeling that Morton, who hap
pened to be there, looked at me suspiciously
once or twice. Suppose he were to discover
everything and tell it at the club! 1t is too
hideous to be thought of.
At another house, where l had been
obliged to sing comic songs and make @
buffoon of myself for two hours, my host
an enormously rich and illiterate person-pre-
scented me with check for $25 as ! left the
house. / returned it Indignantly, but he
pressed it into my hand, saying heartily:
Il amt goin' to take it back, so you may as
well keep it, You done first-rate this evening
-frst-rate 'Taint charity, but because what
you done is worth more than $40 by long
shot; and when have pleasure, I expect to
pay for it, like do for everything else"
To avoid a scene had to keep the money.
am certainly richer than | was. have
been able, by my honest exertions, to supply
myself with the luxuries without which I can
not exist; and when my present income is
doubled, shall be able to pay something on
account for my board bill here and settle some
of my other bills, The question that now
troubles me is, Are they honest exertions?
Since the evening at Mr.. Griddle's (the rich
manufacturer who gave me the check have
been to several places. at all of which, among
others that knew, [ saw Morton, His man
ner is becoming most unpleasant He said to
} me the other night, with that satirical grin Of
: his
I "Youre getting to be quite society man,
t Valentine. Never used to see you about so
much. It's always been my way, but it's
something new for you"
felt sure he suspected something. Another
time he said:
=. @By the way, I thought you were going out
4 of town to live? As you seem to have changed
: your mind, suppose it is all right about the
Amsterdam?"
! would not dare to join club now STAN
0 mered out something about talking it over
another time, and left the room. l begin to
S hate him. He suspects the truth, and knows
e that l am in his power, and enjoys it
: Feb. Added to the notifications l am
: exposed to, the feeling that am sham grows
on me. I impose on every one wherever / go.
k This thought has robbed me of my peace OF
mind. However poor was before, had no.
is thing to be ashamed of. Now l am man with
a secret
L Feb. 81 have realized this too late Last
e night was sent for to fill place at a dinner
table where fourteen had been expected, and at
the last minute one had failed. Mr. CORTLAND
the gentleman at whose house the dinner was
given, treated me politely before his guests, vel
with him felt all the odium of my position.
/ was there as convenience, and nothing else