Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-05-16
THE FLEET STREET PtRSON.
An Amusing Yarn from Arro.s III, A.
lHnIte

An Amusing VAN from Across the Al.
lantic.
Mr.. Montagu VI Iuutforl was b1rr1s-
Der who had started IN life with G1O 900
fair share of ability, ana very con.
siderable belief in his own powers. He
knew the bar WAS Il slow profession. but
he never had any doubts about his ulti.
mate success. Give him the usual seven
years, lie used to say to his intimates. and
he would be making two or three thou
sand year. Meanwhile Mr.. Mountford
devoted most Of his energies towards
amusing himself in the best way he conld
afford. He was man Of good family, of
toierable looks and considerable social
advantages. He could sing good song,
take part in private theatricals, shoot
and ride fairly straight, and was an un-
doubted proficient in the art of flirting.
Gradually, while his invitations grew in
number, his attendances Mt the TEMPLE
during business hours became rarer. He
had an occasional brief, which he held
without achieving either distinction or
disgrace; and, though his practice did
not perceptlbly increase. he always con-
soled himself with the reflection that one
OF these days hs would really give up all
frivolities and take to serious hard work.
That day, however, did not arrive. and as
MIR. Mountford's festive disposition got
nolsed abroad his few clients dropped of
one by one, and his practice became q
rapidly-yamshing quantity. This did not
greatly disturb him for he had tempera-
ment that was not easily depressed, and
he was sure that something would event
ually turnup.
80 the seven years went by, and Mount
ford discovered that, far from making two
or three thousand year, his sole canitoI
consisted of fifteen hundred ponnds'
worth Of Egyptian bonds, while his liza
bllltles were represented by q forbiddinp
heap Of unpaid bills of Infinite variety
and unknown amount. As he sat ono
morning in his dingy chambers in the
Temple he suddenly realized that he had
made most particular fool of himself.
and that unless some specific for restoring
his fortune could very speedily be found
there would be nothing before him but
the Bankruptcy Court or clean bolt TO
Canada or New Zealand. This did not at
all suit his views, aud 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 ?
or course, whom lie went to Ascot with
the Hon. George Fitzpuuter and Lady
Violet Veriphast, he could not in common
decency bet In less than tenners when 4,
roulette table was produced after supper
Just to see how the thing worked, Won
know'-he could not, rs ladies were pres
ent, refuse to try his luck. Boxes at
theatres were expensive, 40 were bou-
quets, and little dinners resulted in very
big Dllls. HIS speculations, too. in Ell
Dorado bonds and India gold mines-so
conhdenually recommended by people
VINO had been there and Observation-Disclosures
turned ont dismal failures. But he was
not the man to despair, though he could
not but admit that hi. Affairs were terri.
bly, gloomy.
He turned over his letters impatiently
bills and invitations were alike dista.tafni
10 MN III Ills present frame of mind. AT
iengtn he came upon modest looking
mlssiye IN an unknown hand. He opsn.
ed 1t carelessly 1t was a note from an
old schoolfellow, one Bayuss. who had
married aid been lost sight of for the last
half-a-dczen years. Bavnss hoped thai
his old friend would look him M at thei,
cottage on the river Should be DELIGHT.
ed If he could manage to drop down there
from Friday TILL Monday had not mncl
to offer man of his extensive acolaint.
ance and engagements etc.
II almost believe he would be glad tC
see me, said Mountford, cynlcally. III
will be quite new sensation. A connI,
OF quiet days on the Thames NAV give
me an idea or two"
So he went. Baynes's cottage was
very nice little place, and Baynes himself
was very agreeable host. Mrs. Baynes
was scarcely up to the mark in Mount
ford's critical eye, but he felt in an M
usually meek frame Of mind, and so mad,
himself pleasant to both.
Just before they retired for the night ,
note arrived for Mrs. Baynes.
MARY is coming tomorrow after ali
my dear, she remarked on reading it.
'Oh, that's all right" replied her hus
band. MY sister-in-law, he added by
way OF explanation.
Mrs. Baynes retired, and the men wen
to the dining room to have cigar.
"She's fine woman, Mary" sav,
Baynes thoughtfully. "Must have po
of money, too"
Mountford picked up his ears.
THE sister-in-law?" he inquired.
yes, she married old Binks, wholesale
OIL and color man, you know he dice
about a year ago, and l believe left her :
couple OF hundred thousand. Noyoung
sters either" o
"Nice little pile that" said Mountford
eoncealing his horror at the idea of oil.
and colors. '-''
eyes, isn't it d? She's a nice woman
too a trife silly, but some people don I
mind that. Now, if you'd be on the lool
out-eh, old chap2"
I'm not marrying man, I'm afraid.
Baynes, answered his guest. Thanks
won't have any more, it's about time tc
turn in" "
The next morning was fortunately fine,
and Baynes having ordered steam launch
20 DO ready betimes at the bottom of his