The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1884-09-13
A LUCKY ACCIDENT,
From London Truth.

IOu LuHtlOu IihbHsl
i say, Charlie, you've done for your
self this timei" said pretty Doris
Thornton to her aiorer, Charlie Ring
wood, OF the Chalkshire Regiment, as
they We're sitting together after dinner
III the conservatory attached to the
pleasant riverside villa belonging to
Doris father, MIR. 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. pa
pas just bought one, and, next to his
fishing, has made it his great hobby"
by Joye! 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"
Il don't know, I'm sure" said Doris,
seriously. you could hardly have
made a more unfortunate mistake, for
papa considers the real cads to be those
who growl because others like to move
last without any trouble to themselves"
"On a crowded river, washing away
banks, aud kicking up no end of dirt
and noise" continued the young officer.
We'll, 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 odd 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 OFT to the best possible advant-
age. The blow had been dealt, and it
ranked beneath the capacious waist
coat OF the wealthy old stock broker.
He answered his guest in curt monosyl-
tables: he made much rustling with the
newspaper, and coughed Unfortunately
during the performance of Charles
songs, and finally, when it was time for
the young man to return downward, in
stead of Offering him one of his famous
Antonino Carunchos, shaking his hand
heartily, and expressing a hope to see
him again soon, the old gentleman as
sumed severe air and said:
"Ahem-AIr. Ringwood, of course
Athena gentleman of your refined
tastes could e7er-ahem-thi of
marrying the daughter of cad who
keeps a stean-launch! Ahem-good
night, sirw
Charlie was staggered, and looked
pleadingly at Doris, who, however,
only shook her head slowly and signifi-
cantly.
There were probably few more I'M
happy young men that night within the
metropolitan radius than Charlie Ring
wood rs he turned slowly homewards
and pondered that, in the terse Ian
guage OF Doris, he had done for HIM
self.
The next morning brought him. in
stead Of hope, letter from his sweet
heart which made him absolutely mis-
cradle 1t was as follows.
MY DEAREST CHARLIE: | have snatched =
moment to write these few lines Papa was in
an awful rage last night after you had gone;
called you sn Inso'eut puppy, and all sorts of
things, which | should not Eave minded
had he not wound Mp by forbiddlag me to hold
any further commune lion with Won and saw
ing that man that would be ashamed Of ms
father-ln-law because he kept q steam-IauncL
was not fit husband for bi5 daughter. What
are we to do4 Ever your afrectionate
DoBIs Thornton
Aye" muttered Charlie, when he
had read the letter for the twentieth
time. What are we to do? It's of nc
use arguing with this sort of old fellow
once he gets 4 notion into his head. Nc
power on earth can drive it out. | wisl
to goodness I'd never said a word abou
steam-launches"
In the evening he went to his club
where he met with an old schoolfellow
Jack Raggles. Now Jack Raggles, al
though continually in difficulty himself
was famous for his ingenuity in gettins
other men out OF their troubles. Mort
than once Charlie had been obliged t,
have recourse to him for advice. and h,
had never regretted it. This was ia
more serious case than any precedin!
one, but Charlie was simply desperate
and would have chung to the maddes
device suggested, rs a drowning MAJ
clutches at straw. SO he got Jacl
haggles INTO quiet corner. and there
over q sherry-and-b itters, he laid tn
facts OF the case before him.
Wen" said Jack, when Charlie ha,
concluded. 1T certainly is an awkvar,
- 1890 ~ NoAlNA bt utuCtN nara iIlle
Tor you to have to chuck up all thought
OF marrying nice and pretty girl lik
Miss Thornton for such a rride. Blu
I've got fellows out of far worse hole
before now, and l dare say | shant fai
this time
You are a good fellow, Jack. upol
my word you are" said Charlie. enthu
slastlcally; but, by Jove, if YOU ge
me out OF this, you'll be a genius"
Jack was silent for a few moment
and pulled vigorously at his cigar. A
length he said
| say, Charlie, isn't the old man
regular maniac for fshing?"
Rather" replied Charlie. Al
takes holiday about three times
week on purpose to fish. He starts OF
after breakfast with big hamper and
Jar of beer, and sits in punt mt;
evening. Still, now he's got tbi
Wretched steam launch, l expect bel
De Oh with the old love and on with tn
new. But what has fishing to do wit
the subject in hand?"
Never you mind just now," answer
ed his friend" but you find out fror
Miss Thornton when her father mex
intends to go out in his punt, an