The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-05-11
ThATIVY CLUB. y
by THANE TAYLOR.

by THANE TAYLOR
The room was brilliantly lighted by three
crystal chandeliers Around long table,
Uttered with periodicals several individuals
were reading or lounging, and the rest OF
the members present numbering perhaps u
score, were for the moment divided into two
groups, respectively discussing politics and
polo.
In the latter and younger group was Agus-
tus Tantivy, an exquisite OF the first water,
and owner Of the club house which he ran
chiefly for sement; wealth and love of
pleasure being the sine Qud non OF memcer-
ship.
The polo men had become very animated
over some point at issue in the last game
PLAYED, when Fletcher. the rigid English
porter. giant in size, appeared IN the broad
doorway and called The attention of the
whole room upon himself BY the eXtraordi-
nary expression Of his cOuntenanCe, for he
seemed, for the first time III his life TO be
about TO explode with laughter
There's "a 49, person at the door wanting
admittance and-I don't know what 10 do
about it," stammered the man.
"Who Is inquired for" said one.
Its not SO PLAIN, sir. There's no card and
in fact-the stranger doesn't seem able TO
talk"
why, fellow, what do YOU mean by acting
so devilish queer Show the gentleman in,
of course" drawled Tantivy.
The porter quickly disappeared and, the
eyes were upon him when, almost Instantly,
he returned, very red in the face, and in his
arms he held a wicker basket which he
brought in and carefully set on the table
under the mi IDLE chandelier.
The whole club moved forward to investi-
gate the mystery, and there was a confused
murmur of astonishment when they beheld,
in the depth OF the basket, lined with pink
silk, an infant richly dressed and quietly
slumbering Its tiny face was waXen white,
and on its little head was lace cap.
"By Jove here S agame" exclaimed Weed,
who vas the first one to find his voice
How in the name of wonder did it come
here" cried another.
IL found it on the doorstep, SIR eX-
planned the porter, enjoying the joke i'm
mensely.
~But what can we do with it,"
~Ugh Send it to the Foundlings Home"
responded one of the older men.
"Unnatural mother!" was Hugh Severns
comment, as he thOughtfully regarded the
child.
"Yes, pretty little beggar, it's too bad"
chiiruped lively Tom Chanter, tapping its
cheek with his cane
@Aw-weal lace on its clio, hes said Tan
tiny, who had been examining the infant
closely through his eye-glass, as though it
was fine work of art
@Hullo, 'Tivyl How the deuce do you
know SO much about dry goods!" laughed
Harry Bristol the greatest dandy of the lot.
why, you see-er-my sister taught me the
difference between veal and imitation lace,
and it's WEAKLY very important thing TO
understand, my deah fellow, for you may
depend upon 1T II a young lady wears sham
lace she either wants taste or means; both
er-you know, most fatal defects"
Gentlemen" said Cyrus Burke, in firm,
sonOrous voice Il think our club ought to
take up some philanthropic work, and
propose that We, Us body, adopt and edu-
cate this wait in the spirit of charity"
Great applause, upon which the infant
opens It's eyes, smiles and tosses aloft q coral
toy covered with jingling silver bells.
"The project meets with unanimous APP
prevail continued Burke. Now then, let
Us make n solemn compact to maintain this
child for certain number of years, none of
us to sec our protege undl he or she, which
ever sex it may be, is, say, II years of age.
Your hands upon it, gentlemen.
Twenty hands were Joined above the
child head and its fate was sealed.
"The next thing is TO name the waif," said
Burke.
sY-a-as Blythe by, is it boy or q girl?
Fletcher, you are the only married man
heah What do you say?" said Tantivy.
"Oh! it's girl, sir, plainly; you see its
hair parted in the middle"
so is 1ivy's That proves nothing"
laughed Clanter.
sWhat kind Of an ornament is that" said
Augustus, disdaining TO notice the refiec-
ton and adjusting his gold-rimmed eye
81. SIS again TO examine n small enameled pin
which fastened the infants embroidered
cloak. AVA ,31s- daisy; Suppose then, we
@Threo cheers for Daisy Blanc, the ward Of
Tantivy Club" proposed Weed
The infant, startled by the noise, made n
very WHY flcc, throwing its gallant corps of
guardians into great constemation
"By Joye! il going to faint" exclaimed
Tntlyy, hast ly putting his turquoise vinai-
grette under the infants nose. with alarm
ing eject
i'm u bachelors club with such an accompa-
niment
sHcrc. Fletcher ordered Burke. @carry
the child home Co your wife, and tomorrow
it shall be sent Co Madam Campann
Accordingly the basket was borne out and
order restored.
Madam Campan previous to her marriage,
had been at the head of famous French
academy, and, upon being LETT q widow
without means, she determined TO admit
into her home limited number of orphans
of high parentage, to be educated with her
daughter, Honora, aged T.
Ii was into this refined circle that Cyrus
Burke succeeded in Introducing the little
Daisy but only after considerable difficulty
and the offer of extremely liberal terms,
and. having concluded the arrangement, he
nor any other member of the club took the
least further thought about the personality
of their ward, simply regarding tho matter
of her support a n contribution to charity d.
MANY yesrs passed. There had been some
Inevitable changes in 'Tantiyy Club only
seven Of the original members remaining,
Burke still being one of the number. Since
that memorable evening when Fletcher in
troduced the little stranger m n basket the
rcadng-room had been re-decorated several
times. and was now more luxurious with
gilt, frescoing and velvet than ever.
Here the immortal seven CHANGED TO meet
one evening, when Burke, drawing note
book from his pocket, remarked: