The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-11-21
10 her having won honors at the Cam
hridue examination for Ladies'


getting Adela and myself lost in
crowd Just before the time for going
home, and having instructed my groom
what 10 do, felt that now | could en-.
Joy myself with my own precious pet.
| led her up the downs, and we
seated ourselves on grassy mound,
she protesting all the while that we
ought to 90 in search Of our party,
but, of course, not meaning word of
what she said-women are 80 artful,
you know.
| could have fingered on forever in
the delicious spot, where fragrant turf
made so nice seat, and delicious.
balmy air cooled the heat, while vel.
low gorse formed a pretty picture for
the eyes to dwell upon.
/ pressed my darlings hand, sighed,
looked languishing, and was about to
propose, when unearthly sounds caused
us both TO start to our feet, and there
stood an aged donkey braying piteous-
ly, only few PAGES behind. Adela
burst into merry peal of laughter, in
which |, perforce had to join; but
from that day to this l have religious
ly hated donkeys, human or otherwise.
OF course |, hypocrite that | was,
expressed great concern when we dig
covered that my drag was gone-se-
cretly / was delighted; but "Be sure
your sin will find you out" was
truism was to illustrate by bitter ex.
perience.
To make long story short, con
soled my adored Adela by taking two
of the best seats ON hired drag, luck
lily paving our fares in advance.
At the first halt had to procure my
darling some sherry, she was so much
upset by an accident she had witness
ed.
1t was a roadside inn, and | had to
push my way through dense crowd.
got what | required, and was coming
out by degrees, as lawyers are said to
get to heaven, when my hat was tilted
over my eyes, and | received not
over-gentle pat on the back of my
head.
Naturally | put my hand up to save
my deer stalker with its green veil and
thought no more Of the accident till
little later on, when | missed my purse,
watch and chain; in fact, | had been
cleverly cleaned out of all my money
and valuables.
This was the fiasco my dear Adela
alluded to; so having made a clean
breast of the matter to you, gentle
reader, l will go on my further adven-
lures.
Having breakfasted | made myself
look smart, aud made my way on
board my steam launch to see that
everything was ready for the reception
of Adela. Then took the train from
Putney Bridge station, and made my
way to st. Paul's churchyard.
Every sorry, sir" said an extremely
polite shopman, "but we haven't any
left. We have ordered more ribbon,
though, and expect it in every mo-
ment. Please take seat
My precious pet had named the very
establishment / was in so often in my
hearing that / dare not 60 to any
other for fear of incurring her dis
pleasure.
To save time, however, hailed a
hanson and drove to Convent Garden
Market, where | purchased one of the
finest boquets that could be had for
money, blue forget me-nots forming
he chief fpature i'm if.
1t wa. very late when got back to
Putney, only to find that no one was
allowed to pass over the bridge, as the
race was a very important regatta at
tended by great crowds.
In vain l argued with the police
man that being light weight, the
structure ran no danger from my cross
ing it.
He was memorable, although he
pocketed my half-crown with grin
that made me savage.
looked through my opera glasses,
and saw the "Fairy," my steam launch,
and distinctly made out Adela, by
whose side was a handsome man, not
at all a veteran, and evidently making
himself very agreeable judging by the
way she smiled.
| pocketed the tell,tale glasses with
a big ID, and went in search of boat.
But as i'll luck would have it, they
were all at the Surrey side of the
river.
BY dnt of sundry signs, waving of
pocket et-handkerchiefs and violent ges-
ticuations, at last brought one to my
aid.
The boatman piled it on; but like
another Richard, | would have swap
ped kingdom for horse, like the ass
| was, so eager was I to get to my be-
loved.
l stood on the deck, and what do
you think ! saw? Why Adela wear
ing another bow, and carrying fine
boquet.
The gallant OGardy held out
finger to welcome me; but, ignoring
it, / said to Adela:
"My darling, / have brought all you
want. think | deserve kiss"
And, eager to show the major that l,
although no soldier, was valiant where
love was concerned, I-yes-actually
kissed her before his very eyes, The
ne1t moment was lifted up bodily
and thrown overheard, with the awful
words ringing in my ears
"You scoundrel, how dare you kiss
my wife,"
Dear reader, can you wonder that /
am invited to any boat race on the
river, having lost my Adela, have "a
fit of the blues ?"