St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-08-12
THE MIRACULOUS FISH POND.

Doth an interesting and popular member
OF society. He was universally supposed to
be of fabulous Wealth. fact all the better
established because Mr.. Korner never di-
rcctly alluded to it. He lived in small, but
perfectly appointed house in Mayfair, gave
admirable dinners, drove first-rate horses,
and did all that could reasonably be expected
of an unostentatious millionaire. Mr.. Kor-
ner was widower, with two very attractive
Stella and Sophie, and it was
commonly reported that these young ladies
would receive very handsome marriage por-
lions from their indulgent father.
1t was not, perhaps, surprising, that so at
tractive a family should be much sought
after, and within very few weeks of their
arrival the Korners found themselves over
whelmed with invitations.
Among the most intimate of their friends
was certain Lady Rubicon, bustling,
lively matron with somewhat impecunious
husband and large family Lord and Lady
Rubicon were in the habit of making fire.
quent trips to America, where his lordship
owned cattle ran ch and several drinking
saloons; and it was OF the return voyage
from one of these excursions that they had
made the acquaintance of the Korners.
On board an Atlantic steamer frie ndship
ripens quickly, and it was in great measure
owing to Lady Rubicon's good offices that
the American family had been so well re-
ceived in London. the Korners were CRATE
full, and Lady Rubicon was fully disposed to
take advantage of her position. She had al
most given up the idea of securing Korner
himself for her eldest daughter, but she was
determined that her scapegrace son should
marry one of the girls. AS the Hon. Hump
rey Pique was on the point of leaving the
Guards, owing to hopeless impecuniosity,
there was not much time to be lost, so he
danced attendance on Miss Stella with unre-
hitting diligence, while his mother lost no
chance of aiding in his suit. One day Lady
Rubicon came around to the house in May
fair, and with an air of great Importance
asked to see Mr.. Korner alone.
''You shall know all about it pretty soon,
my dears,'' she remarked to the girls, ''but
your father and 1 must have talk first.''
Mr.. Korner knew that Lady Rubcon had
favorite weakness of making mysteries out
of nothing, so he rose and courteously led
the way to the library.
my dear Mr.. Korner," said the matron,
1--WE have such delightful scheme on hand,
and you must help in it!''
81 shall be only too pleased" answered
the imperturbabe Korner. ''But may ask
what is the scheme, and who are 'we!' "
''Oh, 'we' are verybody-everybody that
is, who is anybody; and we are going to have
a fancy fair for the benefit of the Hospital
for the diseases of the eyebrow
Mr.. Korner looked little mystiied. ga
fancy fair?" he repeated
ooh, forgot you had been so short time
III England! There will be stalls, you know
and people dressed in fancy costumes will
sell things, and we are going to have an old
English street and a Turkish bazaar, and all
sorts of things, including the Mahdi's camp.
| am sure you would look delightful as the
Mahdi, with a black beard and blanket"
Mr. Korner passed his hand medtatiyely
arross5his chin. eff ever dressed myself
for show / am afraid | should have to choose
something a little less attractive he said.
SPY no means. You shall choose your
own costume; but you really must help us,
you and the girls. You will, won't you!'
81 can deny you nothing" said Mr.. Kor-
ner, with an air of old-fashioned courtesy he
was rather fond of assuming. "And have
no doubt that my daughters will be charm
edn
Lady Rubcon expressed her thanks in fer
wont farms and en- tho m after wao cpftIad
Stella and Sophie were delighted with the
idea, and the Korner family were duly en-
rolled upon the aristocratic staff Of assistants
at the fancy fair for the benefit OF the Hos pi-
tal for diseases of the eyebrow Mr.. Korner
himself consented to become member of
the managing committee.
The Albert Hall was, of course, engaged
for the occasion; the patronage of royalty
was asked for and graciously accorded; the
prime minister. the home secretary, and
other distinguished personages promised to
attend, and the Hon. Humphrey Pique, with
great good nature, volunteered to become
honorary secretary and look after the funds.
The committee devoted long and anxious
| thought to the allotment of the various duties
| of the assistants, male and female. There
were all sort S of prejudices to soothe, and
lit lie jealouses to mollify. All the best-look-
| ing women had to be selected to serve as re-
| fire shment stall-keepers and vendors of but
ton holes and cigars, and the choice was the
cause of terrible chickering's and heartburn
| ings. The Duchess of Colpos. fine woman.
| but somewhat overburdened with superhuous
flesh, insisted upon being allowed to peram-
bdlate the hall arrayed as flower girl, while
| Lady Victoria Vespa threatened to withdraw
her name unless she were permitted to de-
vote her undeniably fine teeth TO the con-
| genial task of biting off the ends of cigars.
But Lady Rubicon and her colleagues tri
um phanuy overcame every difficulty, and
the fair promised to be a huge success. OF
course the Korners were consulted at an
early period as to the precise Part they wished
| to take in the proceedings Mr.. Korner said
he was profoundly indifferent: he left all
these things in the hands of his daughters
| Stella was clever girl and was certain to
| suggest something. She soon decided for
| the next time Lady Rubicon called she an
nounced that they were going to keep fish
pond.
Charming" cried Lady Rubicon, 81
| know what you mean. You put lot Of par
| GELS in a sort of inclosed place, and people
! have little fshing-rods aud angle for the par
GELS with hooks. l am sure that will be de-
| lightful.''
eyes, that is exactly what mcan," re-
| piled Stella. 81 think it really ought to be
/ great fun
81 am sure it will; and what are you go
ling to put inside the parcels, dear?''
s.Oh, sweets. or toys, or scent, or some
thing. But you must not be too inquisitive,
| Lady Rubicon; papa is going to take the fish
pond in hand, and he is sure to contriye
something interesting and original" At that
moment the millionaire himself entered the
room.
''We were talking Of the fish pond, Mr..
Korner," said Lady Rubicon. 81 hear that