Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-07-29

tunate. sincerely trust that the Earl will
recover. Any of Lord Nonsuch's friends
come yet?'
'Oh, yes, sir, good many; in fact, the
house is pretty nearly full
Dear me Perhaps you could tell me
few OF their names. It's very awkward
Lord Nonsuch not having comer'
"Well, sir, there's Lord Armory, and the
Hon. Mr.. Parkyn, and several other young
| gentlemen, and, added Mr.. Bottles, with
a little hesitation, 'sthere's Mr.. and Mrs
Gadderby and the Miss Gadderbys.''
'Ladies | did not know that Lord Non.
such intended to invite any ladies. Wbe
are they? can you tell me ?'' ssss.
"Well, don't quite know, sir,'' arssvsr-
ed the butler, who appeared Tsll1 gulaliy en-
barrassed, "but think they are American
people-very well off, I believe, sir.'' /,
THE young gents are in the dining room 2
said the butler. 81 don't think they've fin
ished lunch YETI
''Not finished lunch at four O'Clock v' be-
gan Mr.. BOunder; but the door opened and
Bottles announced his name. A somewhat
remarkable scene met the view of the tenant
of Wallace Lodge. On the luncheon table
were the remnants of very substantial
meal. Cold meats, dirty plates and bottles
| WO4O Ii VIII MI. bOul-
der counted at least dozen of the latter of
every shape and variety. Seated round the
table were half q dozen or more young men,
somewhat flushed with their exertons. At
the top was a very gaudily dressed matron,
and near her sat fat, vulgar man, with a
| gigantic watch chain and very loud clothes,
and couple Of pretty and exceedingly live
ly young ladies, with whom the young gen
tlemen seemed to be on very good terms
There was tremendous amount of chatter
ing going on; but, when Mr.. Bounder enter
ed, a dead silence momentarily fell uponthe
company. minute later, however, one OF
| the young men rose from his seat and shook
Mr.. Bounder warmly by the hand.
GLOW do you do, my dear sir?' he cried,
effusively. 81 ami afraid must introduce
myself. My name is Amory-Lord Amory.
Allow me also to introduce you to the rest
of Lord Nonsuch's S friends-the MARQUIS of
Ballyrot, MIR. Parkyn, Mr.. and Mrs Cad
derby, the Misses Gadderby, Mr.. Jones, Mr.
| Mountcarbon." He thus rallied off a per-
feet string of names, more or less, high
sounding, and their various possessors rose
and bowed with much solemnity to Mr..
Bounder, who acknowledged the greeting
with all the dignity he could muster. Lord
Amory found him seat beside Mrs. Cad
derby, his son James was speedily engaged
in an absorbing conversation with one of
the girls, and Bottles poured them out tuIn-
blers of champagne.
81 never touch any thing in the after
noon," feebly protested Mr.. Bounder; but
the marquis prevailed upon him to overcome
his scruples, protesting that it was just the
same as afternoon tea, but more wholesome.
| After glass or two of champagne Mr..
\ r. ~
his position. Lord Nonsuch's friends were
certainly very lively lot, but it occurred to
him as somewhat odd that they should all
| be so young. The Gadderbys were undenia-
bly, Vulgar, even for millionaires, still Mr.
Bounder's veneration for the peerage and
| for wealth caused him to shut his eyes to a.
self agreeable to Mrs. Gadderby, whom lie
found very affable person, and occasional
iy joined in the racing talk indulged in by
Mr.. Gadderby and his young friends. Boun-
der knew as much about horses as he did
about digamma, and he was amazed at the
intimate knowledge which Mr.. Gadderby
displayed about the birth, percentage and
performances of every horse which was
mentioned.
The next morning Mr.. Bounder had a
terrible headache, and did not feel at all in-
clined to go to church. He accordingly did
not getup until noon; but sleep after ten
o'clock was entirely out Of the question:
His guests, so far as he could gather from
the sounds which reached his ears, passed
the morning in practicing on the post-horn,
singing music hall choruses and dancing
breakdowns. Mr. Bounder was somewhat
of Sabbatarian, and feltnot little scan
dalized at these unholy proceedings. How
ever, he could not we'll interfere with the
enjoyment of Lord Nonsuchs friends, and he
strongly suspected that any remonstrances
on his part would be wholly disregarded; so
he consoled himself with the idea that no.
body in the neighborhood knew him, and
spent the afternoon in watching lawn-tennis,
drinking champagne cups and smoking large
cigars.
Things went on in much the same way
until the Tuesday when the racing began,
except that the various members OF the par
ty had naturally grown more and more inti-
mate The Marquis had invited Mr.. Boun-
der to stay at his castle in Ireland, and Mr..
Gadderby had intinated that he would be
charmed to show him America; while Boun-
der Junior had become inseparable from
Miss Polly, whose father and mother did
not in any manner discourage his suit, and
the infatuated youth grew wildly hilarious
at the prospect of securing so charming and
well-endowed a wife, Tuesday and We'd
passed off admirably. Mr.. Gadderby SEEM
ed to pick out winners with marvellous ac-
curacy and Bounder repeatedly felt the I'M
speakable delight of seeing the horses he
had backed come in first. lie won more
than a hundred pounds on the first two
days, and was quito confident that he would
be able to pay the entire expenses OF wal
lace Lodge before the end of the week
champagne, cigars and all.
On the Cup day, however, Mr.. Bounder's
luck appeared to have taken a turn; he lost
the whole of his winnings and $50 besides,
and returned home in very bad temper.
Somehow he no longer looked upon his
guests in the same rose-colored light, and
he passed very uncomfortable evening, for
the rest of the company chafed him un-
mercifully on his depression, and he retired
to bed early in sulky dignity. The next
morning he endeavored to be more civil, for
he determined to try toget his money back,
and he was obliged to depend upon Gadder-
bv for racing information. That worthy
was obliging enough to mark his card, and
Bounder felt that if he won they might still
he firm friends. But Gadderby's Judgment
was aoain at fault Bounder lost, and lost
heavily: he plunged, and lost again, and he
began to feel as if he could gladly have
strangled his American friend, whom he
strongly suspected of making him back
losers on purpose. In this unenviable frame
of mind he was strolling aimlessly about the
paddock. when he suddenly caught sight OF
Lord Nonsuch himself. ~
GLOW do you do ?" cried Bounder, effu-
sively. ''How is your brother? SO sorry
you could not come to my placep
"Ah, BounderH' answered his lordshlp,
extending couple Of fingers. "And how
have you been getting on? Granny is much
better, thank you. | left Paris last night
and thought Of looking you up this after
noon after the racing"
ssShan be delighted, lam sure Besldes'
you will meet all your friends at Wallace
Lodge"
San nv friends p said Lord Nonsuch,
inouiringiy. Il don't quite understand.
sI mean all the people you sent-the
Marquis of Ballyrot, Lord Amory and the
Gadderby's.'
Lord Nonsuch dropped his eyeglass and
stared at his companion in amazement.
ssMy good fellow, you must be- dreaming
HT.lI