Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-09-24
JACKS EXPEDI MT,

UAUh-'O GAT1Ul : IN l..
"Iaay, Charlie, you've done for your
self this time!" said pretty Doris
Thornton to her adorer Charlie Ring
wood Of the Chalkshire Regiment, as
they were sitting together after dinner
IN the conservatory attached to the
pleasant riverside villa belonging to
Doris father Mr.. Thomas Thornton of
The Stock Exchange.
Why-how, Doris?" asked the
young man.
"By speaking as you did at dinner
against steam launches, and saying
that the men who owned them and
used them were cads," replied Doris.
"Papa's just bought one, and, next to
fishing, has made it his great hobby"
"By Jove! that's unlucky," said
Charlie. "Now, what's to be done?
It's no use my going and telling him
That / was only chatting, because l
spoke so straight"
81 don't know, I'm sure,' sal | Doris,
seriously. "Gou could hardly have
made more unfortunate mistake, for
papa considers the real cads to be those
who growl because Others like to move
fast without any trouble to them
selves"
"On a crowded river, washing away
banks and kicking up no end of dirt
and noise" continued the young officer.
"Well, I'm awfully sorry, Doris, for
the old boys rather touchy, and it
might influence his ideas with regard
to you and me, eh ?'
When the young people had returned
to the drawing-room it was very evil
dent that the "old boy" was disturbed.
In vain Charlie sang his best songs; in
vain he tried to inveigle the angry old
gentleman into pleasant conversation;
in vain he exerted every effort to show
himself off to the best possible advan-
tage. The blow had been dealt, and it
rankled beneath the capacious waist
coat of the wealthy old stock broker.
He answered his guest in curt mono
syllables; he made much rustling with
the newspaper, and coughcd inordinate-
ly during the performance Of Charles
songs, and finally, when it was time
for the young man to return town
wards, instead of offering him one OF
his famous Antonino Carunchos, shak.
ing his hand heartily, and expressing q
hope to see him again soon. the old
gentleman assumed a severe air and
said:
"Ahem--Mr. Ringwood, of course
ahem-a gentleman Of your refined
tastes could never-ahem think Of
marrying the daughter of a cad who
keeps steam-launch! Ahem-gooJ
night, sir"
Charlie was staggered, aud looked
rleadingly at Doris, who, however
only shook her head slowly and signif
cantly.
There were probably few more un
happy young men that night within
the metropolitan radius than Charlie
Ringwood as he turned slowly home.
ward and pondered that, in the terse
language of Doris, he had done foI
himself.
The next morning brought him, in
stead of hope, letter from his sweet.
heart, which made him absolutely
miserable. 1t was as follows:
"MY DEAREST CHARLIE have
snaLched moment to write these few
lines. Papa was in an awful rage last
night after you had gone; called you
an insolent puppy and all sorts OF
things, which should not have mind
ed had he not wound up by forbidding
me to hold any further communication
with you. and saying that man who
would be ashamed Of his father-in-law
because he kept steam-launch was
not a fit husband for his daughter.
What are we to dop
Ever your affectionate,
Doris THORNTON.
"Aye!" muttered Charlie, when he
had read the letter over for the twcn
tieth time. "What are we to do? It's
of no use arguing with this sort of old
fellow; once he gets notion into his
head, no power on earth can drive it
out. wish to goodness Id never said
q word about steam launches"
In the evening he went to his club,
where he met with an old school f"li =.
Jack Raggles. Now, jack Ragglc
although continually in difficulty him.
self, was famous for his Ingenuity in
getting other men out of their troubles.
More than once Charlie had been