The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1884-10-24
DICKS CHANCE.

'ConfOund it all"' exclaimed Dick.
| throwing his paper angrily aside. II de-
clare the whole thing is entirely too bad.
was born under an evil star, Charlie, and
there never was the slightest use for a
fellow to try and get the best of his ILL
luckr'
This last sally caused me to look up into
surprise
NONSENSE | replied, laughing at his
cross visage. What new misfortune has
overwhelmed you now ?"
We were seated-Richard Flanders and
myself-upon the piazza of the little sum-
mer hotel at Lakeview, on the Erie road, and
comfortably enjoying quiet after dinner
smoke in the cool breeze of evening, which
waited to our senses the fragrant perfume
of a thousand wild flowers, blooming about
us on every side. We were in the middle
of June, and the weather was sultry and
warm. There had been little shower in
the afternoon, just enough to keep us in
doors and give Dick chance to grnmble a
little
never knew why it was that we seemed
to get on so nicely together, for we GER
tainly were the very best and staunch-
est of friends. had always borne great
liking for Dick; half Isuppose, on account
of his genial manner, and half for the odd
way there was about him in everything he
did and said. He was tall and good look
ing; his face was delicate and pretty as a
woman's; his eyes were deep blue, and his
hair almost golden. Beside physical favors
nature had INDUCED him in every respect.
He had just stumbled into small fortune
that yielded him a couple of thousand a
year, and certainly ought to make him a
fayorite with everybody.
But despite his figure and face, despite
his graceful manner, despite the usual
brightness of his conversation, it must be
acknowledged that Richard Flanders had
but few friends. He had one great fault;
he was an habitual grumbler.
Not but that the best of us do, under
certain circumstances. complain sometimes;
but Dick was tritle in the way of cross
grained, crusty individual who never was
nor never would be pleased with anything
or anybody. The weather might be clear
or stormy, warm or cold, alternately;
but it was somehow, never just what it
ought to be. The fire might burn ever so
brightly upon the hearth, and diffuse its
cheerful influence upon every member of
the household; but Richard was invariably
of the opinion that it impaired either too
much or too little warmth. He didn't
want to be suited, and, what is more. he
wasn't going to be, if he could help it; so
it was always the easiest thing in the world
for him to continually find fault with ev-
erybody and everything about him. Never
theless, he was nice fellow, and | liked
him all the more, perhaps, because he had
never taken it into his odd head to COM
plain of me, and everything had always
tween us.
"It's downright shamer' he cried again,
jumping to his feet and crossing over to
my end of the piazza. Il really cannot
see why should be the most Inflated indi-
vidual under heaven. 1t has been the same
ever since was child; have never had
my own way in anything"
You are certainly the most-to-be-pitied
man in the world" replied, in a tone of
mock gravity. what with your personal
appearance, and neat income, no cares,
no troubles. no sorrow-t makes me shiver
to contemplate your frightful agonizing
miseries.''
''It's all very well for you to laugh,
Charlie" he snapped ungraciously, and
stopping directly in front ofme. 81 should
like to see you in my place for awhile
so would I, with all my heart. I'll
change shoes with you at once"
at has always been my fate to meet
nothing but disappointments and misfor-
tunes And to say that it all comes through
that red-haired, Louis Harold, is
WHAT / cried ''You must not say
anything against Louis Harold before me-
He is the very best fellow in the coun-
try"
ssHe has the reddest hair, if that if any
recommendation. But he has not seen or
heard the last of me yet
II trust not, for all our sakes, Dick, y |
added good-naturedly. Come, tell me
about the whole affair from beginning to
end. Louis is too much of gentleman to
treat you shabbily, am sure. / will bet
you box of cigars that you have only
been again at your old habit of grumb-
ling
Richard crossed over again to the place
where he had thrown the paper, and came
back with the journal in his hand,
''Look at that he growled, as he tossed
it into my lap.
1t was the Paterson Daily Journal that |
held. Half way down the first column an
interesting paragraph caught my eye
''We are pleased to hear of the safe arri-
val of Mr.. Louis Harold-our rising young
lawyer-with his lovely bride, from their
extensive wedding tour at the White
Mountains.
well" | said, without looking up,
'there is nothing very extraordinary in