The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1884-09-24
Hs Thought Twice Before Accep-
ting her Invitation 10 Supper.

Shortly after : O'Clock last night Il
victoria drawn by a pair Of spanking
urays and driven by a correct-looking
|coachmau dashed up broadway and stop
ped with great imnrcSsiveness in front
of the Bjiou Theatre. On the rear seat
Of the victoria sat a very beautiful lady
with a drIb parasoi and an engaging
smile. A ticket Spectator sprang for
ward and the lady whispered something
in his ear. The Spectator rushed into
the lobby of the theatre, and a moment
later, .Ir. John f. Donnelly, the mana
ger, strobe out and approached the vic
toria with a gladstone smile. He put
out his hand and the lady grasped it..
John" said the lady, 'can it be
is it possible that you have forgotten
me-"
"WelI-er-the fact is, you know,
there are so many
There said the lady petulantly,'
you have-you have forgotten"
No, no." protested Mr.. Donnelly.
hotly showing his hat on the back OF his
head and gazing earnestly into her ewes.
Your face is familiar, but your name
has escaped me-"
1T is Mamie" said the lady sweet
ly
Mr.. Donneliy. who was evidently no
wiser than before, attempted TO look rs
though he recalled her. She smiled
again, and whispered an Invitation TO
sup in room 2l3 IN a well-known Eote.
in Fourteenth street that night.
.I'Il send a cab for you, John. at IL
o'clock. and you'll come, John, won't
you:" she said.
win II" cried Mr.. Donnclv.
"Wou1I:"
She waved an adieu, the victoria dash
ed away.
About a quarter before II O'Clock.
Mr.. Donnelly might have been seen
~meditatively putting a black cigar III the
shadows OF the church. He was think
ing. There is a pleasing custom i n
vogue among the gentle men with whom
Mr.. Donnelly associates of playing prac-
teal jokes upon u another, aid il had
appareutlg occurred to Mr.. Dounclly
that something was in the wind. ONLY
the week before he had taken a trip to
Manhattan Beach to meet a beautiful
lady, who proved TO be the creation OF
the lively Imagination of a hotel clerk
who knows Mr.. Donnelly well. and the
manager felt some migivings. The clerk
in question is a blond man. of very i'm
pressive manner Mr. Donnelly thought
earnestly until the big bell over his head
beg IN to strike IL, when he glided around
to tie Bijou Theatre, ana hastily inditcd
the following note:
Dear Boy: | have a vertigo. Itcaught
me a few minutes ago. and [ am oblir-
ed to hurry home to he'd. Unfortunate
~ | have IN ENGAGEMENT which | am
loath to miss. You will confer a great
favor on me if YOU will get into the cab
which accompanies tEis note and make
my excuses to the lady with whom
promised to sup. Ia great haste and
with regards, | am yours J.F D..
"A lew minutes la:cr the blond hotel
clerk. who had been covertly surveying
himself in the mirror behind the desk,
was struggling INTO Il drab uvercoat and
hurrying toward the cab. He was whirl-
down to the lace. and then the driver led
him with q great air OF rnystcrv uD TO
room 2l3. The driver disappeared and
left him there. lie Knocked daintilv
upon daintily the door. a voice cried.
Come in," and he opened the door and
and entered The room was in pitchy
darkness. IA no sOOne had he entered
than the door was slammed to and lock-
ed by some one on the inside. Then
the clerk began to fall over various arti-
cles OF furniture which were showed in
front of him by unseen hands. SUP
pressed g.ggles were heard on all sides.
After the clerk had been badgered and
bruised numerically the gas was lighted.
1t revealed the presence of 1.-THE boys
who had put up the job on Mr.. Donnel-
~. There were a few exclamations Of
surprise. some deep-toned and personal
remarks hv the blond hotel cl,gk. ana
then the "hole party filed sadly ard sol
emnly out Of the hotel aud up Broad
When they arrived at the cafe they
found Mr.. Donnelly placidly enjoying a
light supper at one of the larger tables.
He smiled kindly upon them as he
munched his salad, and they dropped
sulkilv into seats.
Whats the matter, boys - said Mr..
Donneiiy. pour the last from a bottle
OF champagne into his glass.
No answer.
Too bad said Mr.. Donnelly. SYM
pathetically draining his glass and Ella
borately drying his moustache. "What
did it cost you 2" |