Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1884-01-31

he read, some one lelnarked:
"I.ike enough it's from some woman who's
taken with his style, an wants him to make
love to her."
Tom began to lay tho letter on the bar; but
as the speaker ended tho remark, the drunk
ard changed his mind and placed the missive
between his teeth-then he picked up chaii
and felled his torlnenter to the floor. There
was dead silence for a moment, such af
usually follows any manifestation of honora-
bic feeling in bar-room; meanwhile, Tom
went to basin in a corner, washed his hands,
took the envelope from its somewhat lhap'
propriate position, and left the room.
What could Mrs Arthray want OF himi
He supposed that she had forgotten him long
ago Not that he had forgotten her; he
never saw her in the street-where she al
ways passed him without recognition
out realizing keenly for moment how wide
and deep was the gulf that separated him
from the friends Of his youth; for had not
that glorious womans hand often made his
coat-sleeve feel little fuller than usual ~
the old days-had not his voice blended i'll
the church choir--had not he and she taken
part in many an innocent village froIlc!
Some Of his early acquaintarces had
grown sad and old, but she seemed to
lave discovered the secret OF perpetual
youth. Could it I've that-enraging Thought
that now she, who oEce had been his compan-
ion, wanted him for some menial service OH
the morrow, some service such as he was
often called on to do for other people!
He went to the stable-loft, and broke the
envelope; it contained merely card bearing
he lady's name, and the line "At home,
January /; from 10 a. m. to 10 p. H."
"Great heavens!' exclaimed Tom, "it must
mean that | am invited to call on her! Then
she can't know that-she can't over have
seen or heard-she-oh, my GodH
The poor wretch imagined for a moment
Mrs. Arthray and himself standing face to
face and his little strength deserted him SO
entirely that he fell as if struck by paralysis.
He covered his face with his hands, groaned,
swore, cried, ana exclaimed, lawful, awful,
awfull'
Suddenly he sprang to his feot, hurried out
of the stable ant toward the river. The sun
had set the shopseepcrs were lighting their
lamps but no matter, "the darker the better
muttered Tom to himself; Il don't want any
body to see me now He went through the
least freluented streets. he almost ran, and
before the darkness had entirely closed
around him he reached the shore.
He had meant to end his misery by n sud
den plunge, but his feeble nerves were al.
ready exhausted by his unusual eXertion, and
he paused to recover courage. He tried to
regain strength anl resolution, by withdraw
ing from his pocket the little bit Of paste
board that had worked such change in lis
apathetc, british life. Bat the spell did
not work as he wished. Into h;, bewAered
lrain car Ip fhnrrht \
hrrsef-th handsomest woman IN Thornton,
the noblest woman he had ever known or
heard o. hal touched that same card--had
sent it to him He seemed to r!ofane the
card by touching it, yet at the same tr.le the
insensate thing seemed to be placing before
his eyes Incl lent after inciden. Of his early
life. In Imagination he became his old self
again. and at last he turned again toward
the to w. saying to hi.nself.
"Bctter be q happy fool, while it lasts, than
dea one"
Bat the charm did not last BY the time
and then sworn to steal run and get blind
drunk as soon as possible, he did rot keep
either oath, but slunk into his own place IN
the har-room and gratefully took glass Of
rum which the barkcHpcr. in admiration Of
scn,eI anin>ult 70 n lady silently handed him.
The stuff made him entirely III, old self again;
he forgot Mrs Arthray, his good resolutions,
his bad resolves, and everything else but the
thought that at II o'clock he was to have n
pint Of whisky, and from daylight of the
next morning he was to have unlimited
liquor for Il week.
1t seemed to him the hours fr, m G o'clock to
{, tr,. hui
could not The smell o! the liquor that began
to flow in profuson rs the evening loungers
gathered almost maddcnei hi:n. and he
besgel one man after another to give HIM
lust one drink, but all wele obdurute, for
they knew Of the part that Tom was to play
and they wanted him to be sober enough to
do nll that was planned for him
AT the stroke of H. he arose in desperation
and went out of doors to keep the sight and
smell of his liquid enemy from tormenting
him any longer. The nigh: was bitter cold,
so he sneaked into n little bedroom IN the
table and stole the sleeping coachman's
Mister to keep him warm while he walked: in
short time he would have pint of rum:
then he would be warm enough He turned
up the great collar Of the coat, so that It
covered his ears; he thrust his hands deep in
Then he laughed to himself and muttered
"Nobody could tell me from gentleman
hero in the dark | wonder how it would
tecl to wear overcoat and gloves by daylight
again, By, half feel as if was man
again: WONDER"
What he wondered no could never after
ward remember, for he suddenly encountered
something that felt like post. but which as
10, Ln ,..itl
lantern, beside whom a woman appeared to
have been walking.
You stupid fellow!' exclaimed the man as
he regained his feet; "who are yout"
"Tom Dolser," replied the drunkard de-
family: he seemed to have absorbed great
deal of courage fro@> the coachmans coat
and gloves Nov do you know
The man with the lantern brushed snow
from his sleeves AMI muttere1 something to
,imself, to the effect that h. had never heard
the name before and hopei he might never
meet its owner again. but the lady broke in.o
| q musical laugh and exclaimed:
"What an odd way to meet an old friendi
Don't you remember me. Tom, Alice Barrowi
and let me make you acquainted with my
husband Mr. Arthray'
This materially alters the case" said
Arthray. extending his hand Amy Old frisui
Of my wife may run against me il the street
whenever he likes
Oscar is going to ring the chimes in our
old church tonight, and I'm going with him
for company" said Mrs Arthiay Wont
| you come with us. SO ! can chat with you
! ntout oil tines Oh, Oscar. this very Tom
! Dalser teat these very same chimes Oh our
VT iding day didn't you. Tom!'
"Yes' is very small word, but Tom hal
| great difficulty in utterlng it. He asked him.
| SELF what he was to do IN these unfcreseen and
embarrassing crcums ances Mrs. Arthray
answered the question by taking cue OF his