The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1882-03-15
A Victim of Charity.

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 a young lady rushed up, grabbed
him by the arm and said
ooh, you will, you must, take a chance in
our cake. Come right over here. This way"
Blushing to the roots of his hair, he STAN
mered out that really lie didn't have the
pleasure of knowing-'
"Oh, that's all right" said the young lady,
"youll know me better before you leave.
I'm one of the managers, you understand ?
Come, the cake will be all taken if you don't
hurry" and she almost dragged him over to
one of the middle tables. ''There, now, on
ly fifty cents a slice, and you may get a real
gold ring. You had better take three or four
pieces. 1t will increase your chances, you
know"
Every good" he stammered. "But I'm
not fond of cake-that is | haven't any use
for the ring--I-"
"Ah, that will be ever so NICE" said the
young lady, s'for now if you get the ring you
can give it back and we will put it in another
cake
"Y-e-e-s,' said the young man with a sick
ly smile. To be sure, but" q
ooh, there isn't any but about it, said the
young lady, smiling sWeetly. You know
you promised"
promised p
"Well, no, not exactly that, but you will
take Just one slice p and she looked her
whole soul into his eyes.
swell, 1 SUPPOSE
s'To be sure. There is your cake, and she
slipped a great slice into his delicately gloved
hands as he handed her a dollar bill. ooh,
that is too nice,' added the young lady, and
she plastered another slice on top of the one
she had just given him. II knew you would
take at least two chances" and his dollar bill
disappeared across the table, and then she
called to a companion "Oh, Miss Larkin,
fortune told"
"Oh, does he Send him right over"
answered Miss Larkin.
Il beg your pardon, but I'm afraid you
are mistaken. don't remember saying any
thing about"
sob, but you WILL" said the first young
lady, tugging at the youths arm. "Its for
the good of the cause, and you won't refuse,
know" and once more the beautiful eyes
looked soulfullY into his. "Here we are.
Now take an envelope. Open it. There
you are going to be married in a year. Ism
that jolly Seventy-fye cents, please" This
time the youth was careful to hand out the
exact change.
ooh, I should like to have my fortune
told. May l p asked the first young lady.
''Of course you may, my dear" said Miss
Larkins, handing out one of the envelopes
"Oh, dear, you are going to be married
this year, too. ''Seventy-fye cents more
please" and the poor youth came down with
another dollar note. "No change here, yot
know" added Miss Larkin, putting the
greenback into her pocket.
"Oh, com, lets try our weight" said tht
first young lady, once more Juggling at thu
youths coat sleeve, and before he knew
where he was he found himself standing OF
the platform of the scales. Zone hundred
and thirty-two," said the young lady. "Oh
how I shonld like to be a great heavy mar
like you," and she jumped on the scales Xix
a bird, lone hundred and eighteen. Well
that is light. One dollar, please"
"What p said the youth, Zone dollar
Isn't that pretty steep ? | mean-l-'
'sOh, but you know" said the young lady
SIT is for charity" and another dollar wa
added to the treasury Of the fair.
Il think I'll have to go. have an en-
gagement at
"Oh, but first you must buy me a bouque
for taking you all around said the youn
lady. s'Right over here" and they wer
soon before the flower table. "Here is jus
what l want" and the young lady picked u
a basket of roses and violets. "Seven DO
lars, please"
''Oh, Jack, is that you ?" cried the poe
youths cousin from behind the counter
and buying flowers for Miss Giggle, tor
Oh, I shall be terribly jealous unless you Du
me a basket, too" and she picked up q bash
ct, a very elaborate affair. Twelve dollars
please, Jack" and the youth put down To
money looking f~earfully confused, and niue
as though he didn't know whether to make