, 1884-01-20
THE FULFoRDs.


Il hunter, it would undoubtedly prove what
is known to Nimrods as a "rusher."
The Fulfords are all alike in a good many
things. There are none of them in the least
clever; but In that they resemble the i'm
mense majority OF their n~eighborS Still L
have wondered and wondered how it Is that
with really such rabbit-like brains they do
not make utter shipwrecks of their lives. L
nave partially succeeded in solving the
mystery.
First, their stupidity does not lie in the di-
rection Of not knowing how to take care OF
their money, of which they possess a good
deal Distressed friends, fash spectators,
and, indeed, the whole crew of " bleeders,"
as the slang term has it, might appeal to
them eternally in vain. They nave no heart
and no ambition.
Secondly, although the world is quite aware
what small fry-intellectually-the Fulfords
are, yet practically, and perhaps on that
very account, the world is rather fond Of
them, and acts as IL she could more easily
spare a better family. You see they are a
living compliment to every one else-the foil,
or background, against which superior peo-
pie, and the still larger class Of those who
fancy themselves superior, shine out.
Those who envy them their good looks and
good means-neithe of which, by the by,
are very tremendous-owe them no grudge
AOI LItso DtSuuSe NDllSolel ny bhcI hchIh
shortcomings and general lack of social
weight.
Thirdly, they take their life easily to a de-
gree marvellous in people who are not phi
~losopher. at is due to their digestions,
wonderful constitutions, and so FORTH says
the world, and no doubt that has much to do
with it.
When I say they take life easily, l mean as
to its troubles, cares and defeats, for, MS
began by announcing, whenever anything
has to be done. from a journey to a wedding,
they are instantly all fuss and furry.
The eldest daughter is married. She mar
ried, in her first season, a middle-aged NJ. p,
with lots of money, and has now two children
the Fulfords are all prolific.
But Millicent has hung fire most distress
ingly, and her third season is now drawing
10 a close. Hitherto no one has minded
much, but now the family have just woke
up to the fact that Winny and Flo, the two
next girls, who happen TO be twins, are quite
II, and will therefore have to be presented
next season.
The sort of way they all play with their
cards on the table is a wonder to behold. If
u son, of whom, like the daughters, there are
many, gets plucked for an exaa.-and they
almost always do get plucked-the whole
family publish the fact in all directions, and
s. em never to feel the modification of such
ant occurrence in the pleasure Of imparting
so Interesting a piece of news.
in the present instance, about Milly, they
all announce the fact wherever they go, and
almost before her face, that they are dying
to get her Off their hands, on account of the
next two who arc sprouting up.
They find consolation, / suppose, In airing
their grievances, and, perhaps, also in the
words of sympathy which they evoke. Per-
- - 49, -. L. -. ..a-FI -
gestion or a helping hand. Anyhow, they
could no more hold their tongue about a shoe
that pinches than so many babies. What
they want they must clamor for, whether
thet is the right way to got IL or not. Still it
Is surprising how often it does turn out the
right way with the Fulfords.
But though the family nave no hearts, in
the higher sense of the word, they are not
only fairly affectionate to one another, but
are quite us capable of falling in love us
other people. And this is what happened to
Millicent u couple Of years ago, and hence
| probably why she has ''hung fire. 80, as peo-
pie express 1t.
You seq Mnly's attachment was not one
where there was any immediate prospect of
marriage. Allan Cameron was a very nice
| young Scotchman, and looked very "brawr'
in his kilt at the Caledonian ball, where
Milly first met him. But well-shaped knees
and a wide chest, though solid enough In
their way, are not n foundation to marry
upon-not, that is, in civilized society. 1t
yyns t,ne be had other recommendation
which though more calculated to nlease the
father of A girl, had still not the irrefragible
claims Of n landed estate or n hanker,s bool,
When quite Young he had requested TO be put
IN commercial purs,,its and To bnye his
Younger sons portion devoted to getting him
Z start In n great merchants countin1-hous
In Bristol.
.yor Lbov y,opu bra.E the vorr, mani,
heart y said ol2 FrIfo,d natbe,IcanY 70 hi
MIA ono DIV n. i,,,,.nsi ia ~, ,o,hinn
sIsa 10 s.v
,1t,s rn,sansa ~ course ~ No. ray Loor
sarions snitors aYayn
aAnd ,vby sbn,idr,, ha sar;or,
uitorTi ventrrad Mn blnsbins
,sTh.t,s eood y sid 1sna. sswhr ha h.sn,,
t,yononcs To no snre q c,ts ~ yona
,aaap ,ba b,,Tviro ahon, y 4, IT,,
IT, ,rooaro
aoh nnaa v.ha, shara, +,
noor Allan hao
Inrhat,s oood o,air poor sna,, uoo5 ,
mAna g1nnosa u ohoasa % - IT, n
sotd do ,orn@ I'D earino - - sranino
4 very nyo,ty foot
,sTb.n nv doar - eaid tho so,a fa.,o. H.,
no-+,rhahIv al sbonIdns - -
sartbina s." ''D o"'
And ~ ,iri hadn,. ,ho .,,.L.o L. A.,
bo moont what be said
A shnr+ tima aftar Tho ahoyo Ii.,,o ,o,,.h
the yynLire mn 40 70 tbe cloorina tha rood a.