The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1882-07-22

May sometimes rouse lad,
But the only sure thing after all
Is father when he's mad.
"FoR MR.. JOHN THOMPSON"
Mr. John Thompson came down to
breakfast rosy and hossy, and looking
as happy as any reasonable man might
desire His wife sat smiling at the head
of the table, and his little daughter,
Maude Amalia, on one side; while,
to crown the measure Of his content,
broiled spring-chicken and water-cresses
his favorite breakfast dish-greeted
his gratifed gaze.
$50 spring has come already, has it ?"
said Thompson, with glance at the
vernal fowl and its verdant accompani-
ment.
eyes, indeed" responded Mrs.
Thompson, as she smilingly poured out
the coffee; and then, with pensive
look, she continued 81 was at Madame
Robinette's yesterday, looking at the
spring bonnets' "a slight shadow passed
over Thompson's face-"the loveliest
things that l ever beheld, and SO cheap!''
"Ah !" said Thompson, absently
munching cress.
ri tried on one," continued Mrs. T.
Ga most exquisite white hat, with
seven pink ostrich tips. 1t really made
me look ten years younger"
"You're young enough" said her
husband a little abruptly. "You
wouldn' t want to look like school girl?''
"And then l just stepped into Field
& Fosters" resumed Mrs. Thompson,
"and really it was as good as a museum
to see the exquisite dress goods. There
was one brocaded spring silk-rose-buds
on dark ground-which SO exactly
suited my taste and complexion that it
really seemed to have been made for
me. l thought would 60 right over
to-day and get it before it is snapped
up by some one else. It's only thirty
five dollars -
Thompson WINGED. He began to un-
derstand about the true inwardness of
the early spring-chicken and crosses.
"My dear, couldn't you wait awhile?
I have just at this time pressing use
for every dollar that l can command.
Next week"
But Mrs. Thompson had set down her
cohee-cup, and was drawing forth her
pocket handkerchief.
81 knew you'd refuse !" she said,
huskily.
"3ut, Maggie, woman cannot al
ways understand what pressing need her
husband may sometimes have for money
in his business affairs. If you will only
wait"
"And let that hateful Mrs Morchie
get the silk"
lust here the door-bell rang, and Miss
Maude Amalia jumped down from her
high chair and ran to answer it.
ats your letters and papers, papa !"
she cried, holding them up; "and one
of 'em smells SO nice, just like mammals s
pretty bottles on her bureau !"
Thompson looked at the missive in
question. So did his wife; and she
noticed that it was in lady'S hand
writing, and directed to "Mr. John
Thompson. "
She watched him as he glanced over
the first few lines. Then he looked at
the signature, srniled-a constrained
and furtive smile-and folding the note,
without finishing it, glanced at his wife,
colored little, and slipped it under
the papers beside his plate.
"Who is that perfumed envelope
from?" inquired his wife.
"Why, sort of business note, he
answered, indiferently.
"From lady?" said Mrs. T., sus-
piciously.
''Yes-from a lady," he admitted,
reluctantly.
"What business can a lady have with
you?"
"Only little private business mat
ter. will tell you,in day or two
Why" glancing up at the clock, and
then consulting his watch, otis later
than | thought by ten minutes, | must
hurry
And he did hurry and in his haste
went up stairs for something he had
forgotten, leaving the letter on the table.
Mrs. Thompson did not allow the
opportunity to pass unimproved. She
listened till she heard her husbands S
footsteps on the top stairs, and then,
drawing forth the perfumed note, hur-
riedlv opened it, and read as follows
DEAR j.: Where were you last even
ing? | looked for you all the time, but
in vain. Romeo and Juliet was lovely.
Romeo reminded me of you- Thanks
for your lovely lilies Do you remem-
Der what you said to me on Tuesday,
while eating ice-cream on the balcony !?
Well | have thought it all over, and
conclude that it will be the best, after
all. Come this evening, early, and we
will make arrangements. Toddy gone
away. Nobody at home but L and
I. Yours only, X"
Thompson was heard coming down
stairs. His wife hastily slipped the
note under the letters and disappeared
by another door. He put the papers in
his pocket and went away.
Then Mrs. Thompson went up stairs
to dress the baby. Her face was rosy
red and her eyes shone with an unnatural
brilliancy. She peremptorily dismissed
the maid, boxed the poodle's ears for
affectionately licking her hand, and
proceeded to soap, and scrub, and sponge
the infant heir of the house of Thomp-