The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-03-11
0ait and 4umor.
A victim Of Charity.

A Victim of Charity.
/ II was at a church fair, and he had come
there at the special requestof his cousin,
who was at theshead 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 thearm, said
''Oh, you must, you viii take chance
in our cake Come right over here This
way"
Blushing to the roots of his hair, he stam-
mered out that really he didn't have the
pleasure of knowing
''Oh, that's all right, said the young
lady. you'll know me better before you
leave Tn one of the managers, you un-
derstand Come, the cake viii be taken
if you don't hurry, and she almost dragged
him over to one of the middletables. aThere,
now, only fifteen cents slice, and you may
get real gold ring. You had better take
three or four slices. 1t win increase your
chances, you know.
You're very good, : he stammered, .'but
I'm not fond of eake-that is. | haven't
any use for the ring-I-n
"Ah, that viii be ever so nice, said the
young lady, Sfor now if you get the ring
you can give it back, and Wen put it in
another cake"
.Y-e-e-s, said the young man, with
sickly smile ''To be sure, but
'Oh, there isn't any but about il, = said
the young lady. smiling sweetly. ssYou know
you are promised. :
Promised p
well, no, not exactly that, but You viii
take just one sliee?r and she looked her
whole soul into his eyes
"Well. suppose"
ITO be sure. There is your cake, and
she slipped great slice into his delicately
gloved hands as he handed her dollar bill
s'0h, that is too nice added the lady, as
she plastered another piece of cake ON the
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 abe called out to COM
panion ..0h, Miss Larkins, here is gen
tleman who wishes to have his fortune told
s.0h, does hef Send him right over,
answered. Miss Larkins.
II beg your pardon but I'm afraid You
are mistaken. don't remember saying any
thing about"
'.0h, but you viii, said the first young
lady, tugging at the youths arm. It's for
the good Of the cause, and you won't re-
fuse, and once more the beautiful eyes look
ed soulfully into his Here weare. Now,
take an envelope. Open it. There; you
are going to be married in year Isn't
that jolly? Seventy cents please. This
time the youth was careful to hand out the
exact change.
'sOh. should just ike to have my for
tune told May I?' said the first young
lady.
'.0f course you may, my dear, said Miss
I.arkins, handing out one of her envelopes.
''0h, dear, you are going to be married
this year too. Seventy-fve more, if you
/ please, and the poor youth came down with
another dollar note. @No change here, you
know, added Miss Larkins, putting the
greenback in her pocket
1 '.0h, come. lets try our weight, said the
4 first young lady, once more tugging at the
! bashful youths coat sleeve, and before he
knew where he was he found himself stand
/ ing ON the platform of the scales. some
hundred and thirty-two,p said the young
lady. ~0h, how l should ike to be a great
heavy man ike you, and she jumped on
the scales like bird "0ne hundred and
eighteen Well, that is light One dollar.
1 please.
.sWhatg'' said the youth s0ne dollar
Isn't that pretty steep? | mean, l."
I ''Oh, but yOn know, said the young lady,
it is for charity" and another dollar was
added to the treasury of the fair.
/ Il think III have to go--I have an en-
gagemeat at
..0h, but first You must buy me bou-
quet for taking you all around, said the
Young lady. fright over here, and they
i were soon in front Of the flower table Here
is Just what | want, and the young lady
4 picked up basket of roses and yiolets.
''Seyen dollars, please
''Oh, Jack, is that you?n cried the poor
youth cousin, from behind the flower eoun-
ter, ..and buying flowers for Miss Giggle,
too. Oh, shall be terribly jealous unless
you buy me basket too, and she picked
up an elaborate affair. Twelve dollars,
please, Jack, and the youth put down the
money, looking terribly confused, as much
as though he didn't know whether to make
a bolt for the door or give up all hope and
settle down in despair.
"You' II excuse me ladies, he stammered,
..but | must 90. | have
Here, let me pin this in your button
hole interrupted his cousin" Fifty
cents, please and then the youth broke
away and made straight line for the door.
well If ever visit another fair may |
be r' he calculated, as he counted
over his cash to see if he had the car fare
to ride home Brooklyn Eagle.