The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-07-26

the corner swear to right your wrongs"
ooh, Charley" said his cousin, sit is
all about Jack. You know his irregular
habits-that's what you men call it, be.
ieve. 1 must make him stop drinking.
Charley, dear, you are a man; do give
me some advice"
Charley grew grave in a moment.
"You are right, Alice" he said. "We
Quimby. and if for your sake alone, dear
girl. shall sit awake all night thinking
how it can be DONE"
eff it can be done, Charley will do it"
said Alice cheerfully. "Oh. Jack, jack,
il you could but understand how much
trouble you are giving u.s."
Jack Quimby saw the old year out and
the new year in according to the usual
fashion of such ceremonies. Aud he
awoke with the same old head, only in.
tensified by more deeper and more varied
rotations. While he was deliberatiDg
whether it was worth while getting up at
all or not, knock came at his door, i'm
medately followed by couple of young
fellows, faultlessly dressed in the regula-
zion visiting costume.
"Come, come, Jack? You're nice fell
low for calling chum. Over forty visits
to make to-day and not up yet" and
they dragged the unfortunate roysterer
from his bed, aud watched his hurried
efforts at dressing with uproarious mirth.
1t was qnite late in the evening before
the Quimby carriage halted before Judge
Benton's door. Alice had been anxious
ly expecting him all day, but when a
gush of cloves preceded his entrance her
heart sank within her. Jack felt the i'm.
portance of presenting sober appear
ance. and his bow was cold, almost stern,
and full of preternatural gravity.
II wish you, Miss Benton, the COM
pliments OF the season." he said, in slow
and deliberate accents. There was not
Quimby knew from past experience the
dangers surrounding that consonant at
this stage of the proceedings. Judge.
am delighted to see you looking so
we'll, and this time the bow was directed
to stiff, high backed chair, an heir
loom in the Benton family.
"Sit down Jack, and don't be silly"
whispered Alice, after greeting his,
friends. "Oh, you wicked boy! what's
the METER with your eyes? And your
necktie has slipped up under your ear.
How your gloves are stained with
claret?"
Half an hour latter Mr.. Quimby was
supported to the carriage, and Alice
regisi cred solemn vow that unless her
cousins plan was conclusively and per-
manently effective she would never ba
Mrs. Quimby, if she had to live and die
an old maid. On the evening of Mr..
Quimby's call half dozen young fellows
sat together in the private rooms OF
well-known restaurant. Alice Benton's
cousin was chairman.
Boys" he said, I'VE must all of us
make . raid upon Quimby to- morrow.
You, Jack, will be the deeply insulted
husband, and you, Tom, the honest viii.
culturist whose money Quimby borrow
ed and squandered. Dick, I want you
to play the undertaken from whom the
coffin was engaged, and Bill, you can OPP
pear as the man assaulted by Quimby-
the angry man who had determined to
appeal to the law OF his country for re-
dress in the shape of heavy damages.
The Office group will now rehearse."
When Jack Quimby awoke on the sec
ond day of the year he had vague idea,
that he was on the threshold Of sponta-
neous combustion. Never" he grosn-
ed, "were my coppers so internally hot
before. If l do not join some temper:
ance legion ere the day is over am q
lost man. Despite these reflections
Mr.. Quimby dressed and after . good
round of stiff cocktails, walked to his
Office and fell into the regular business
groove.
"Quimby," said the senior partner of
the firm, II want that invoice made out
by ten o'clock"
"All right, sir; am at work on it now"
Somebody for you, Mr.. Quimby,"
cried the messenger boy, bursting into
the private Office.
"Show him in" said Quimby. A tall,
gaunt individual followed the boy, and,
fixing a stony glance at Jack, took va
cant chair.
"Of course you know who am,
Quimbv."
I'm blessed if I do" replied Jack,
after close scrutiny; "never saw you
before in my life that can remember"
my NAME" said the visitor, sis Eu-
tropius Brown, and have brought You
the coffin you ordered last evening. II
you will show me to the deceased, Mr..
Quimby, will arrange everything with
out further delay. l believe you re-
marked the corpse had been already two
days ON ice."
Ouimby looked at the window. Sure
enough, there stood . black wagon out
side the door.