National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-11-15
THE FLEET STREET PARsoN.

--Ncw York star,
THE FLEET STREET PARSON.
Mr.. Monta gu Mountford was barristor
who had started in life with 100000 a fair
share Of ability, and very considerable
belief in his own powers. He knew the
bar was slow profession, but no never
had any doubts about his ultimate sue
cess. Give him the usual seven years, he
used to say TO his intimates, and he would
be making two or three thousand year.
Meanwhile, Mr.. Mountford devoted most
of his energies towards amusing him
eelf in the best way ho could afford. He
was q man OF good family, of tolerahle
looks. and considerable social advantages.
He could sing a good song, take part
in private theatficals, shoot and ride
fairly straight, and was an undOubted
proficient in tho art Of flirting. Grldu-
ally, while his invitations grew in
number, his attendance Mt the Temple
during business hours became rarer. lie
had an occasional brief, which he held
without achieving either distinction or
disgrace; and, though his practice did
not perceptibly increase, he ALWAYS con-
soled himself with the reflection that one
OF these DAYS he would really give up all
friyolities and take to serious, hard work.
That day, however, did not arrive, and rs
Mr.. MountlUrd's festive disposition got
noised abroad his few clients dropped OF
one by one. and his practice became a
RAPIDLY vanishing quantity. This did
not greatly disturb him, for he had
temperament that was not easily dc
pressed, and he was sure that something
would eventually turn IN.
80 the seven years went by, and Mount
ford discovered that, far from making
two or three thousand year, his sole
capital consisted of firtaen hundred
pounds worth of Egyptian bonds, while
his liabilities were represented by for
bidding heap of unpaid bills of infinite
variety and unknown amount. As he
sat one morning in his dingy chambers in
the Temple he suddenly realized that he
made a most particular fool of himself,
and that unless some specific for rcstor-
ing his fortune could very speedily be
found there would be nothing before him
but tho bankruptcy court or clean bolt
TO Canada or New Zealand. This did not
at all suit his views, and he cursed his
folly loudly and long. What business, he
thought TO himself, had he in the eXtraY-
agant set he had been thrown among. OF
course when he went to Ascot with the
Hon. George Fitzpunter and Lady Violet
Veriphast, he could not in common
decency bet in less than tenners;
when roulette table was produced
after supper, "just to see how
the thing worked, you know"-he could
not, as ladies were present, refuse to try
his luck. Boxes at thcaters were expen-
sive, so were bouquets. and little dinners
resulted in very big bills. His specula-
tons, too. in FL Dorado bonds and India
gold mines-so confdcntially recon-
mended by people who had been there
and knew-somehow turned out dismal
failures. But he was not the man to
despair though he could not but admit
that his affairs were terribly gloomy.
He turned over his letters impatiently;
bills and invitations were alike disjaste-
full 10 him in his present frame of mind.
At length he came upon modest looking
missve in an unknown hand. He opened
1t carelessly. 1t was % note from an old
schoolfellow, one Baynes, who had mar
ricd and been lost sight Of for the last
half dozen years. Baynes hoped that
his old friend would look him up ut their
cottage on tho river. Should be dc lighted
if he could manage to drop down there
from Friday till Monday; had not much
to offer man of his extensive acquaint-
ance and engagements, &c.
~ almost believe he would be glad to
sec me-" said Mountford, cynicauy. at
will be quite new sensation, A couple
of quiet days on the Thames may give
mo an idea or two"
So he went. Baynes' cottage was very
nice little place, and Baynes himself was
q very agreeable host. Mrs. Bnynes WAS
scarcely up TO the mark in MountfOrd's
critical eye, but he felt in an unusually
meek franc of mind, and so made him
self pleasant 10 both.
Just before they retired for tho night
note arrived for Mrs. Baynes.
MARY is coming tomorrow after all,
my dear" she remarked on reading it.
"Oh, that's all right" replied her hus-
band. My sister-in-law," no added by
way of explanation.
Mrs Baynes retired, and tho men went
10 the dining room 10 have cigar.
"She's fine woman, Mary" said
Baynes thoughtfully. Must have pot
ofmoney, too"
Mountford picked up his ears.
"The sistcr-in ?" he inquired.
Eyes, she married old Binks, wholesale
oil and color man. you know; he died
about year ago, and / believe left her
couple of hundred thousand. No young
sters either"
Mice little pile, that" said Mouutford,
oOncealing his horror at the idea Of oils
and colors.
Eyes, isn't it2 She's nice woman,
too a tritle silly, but some people don't
mind that. Now, il you'd be on tho look
out--eh, old chapW
Pm not a marrying man, I'm afraid,
Baynes," answered his guest. "Thanks,
] won't have any more, it's about time to
turn in."
The next morning was fortunately fine,
and Baynes having ordered steam launch
to be ready bGtimes at the bottom Of his
garden. the party proceeded TO embark for
trip up the river. There were two or
three young gentlemen, apparently from
the stock exchange, as they talked of
nothing else two or three riparian young
ladies, a lively ourate who sang comic
songs, and an elderly maiden relative Of
Baynes, who was popularity supposed to DO
well Off
AS he was introduced 20 the company
Mountford fairly shuddarGd. He had
never seen any of tho people before, and
he had not the least inclination to regret
his loss. A trip up tho river in such
company presaged very torment OF
boredom, aud he began to wish he had