The Penn's Grove record., 1884-09-20
n LUCKY ACCIDENT.

Il say, Charlie, you've done for your
self this time!" said pretty Doris Thorn
ton to her adorer, Charlie Ringwood of
the C~halkshire regiment, as they were
sitting together after diner in the con-
s~ervatory attached to the pleasant river
side villa belonging to Doris father, Mr..
Thomas Thornton of the Stock Ex-
change.
"Why--how, Doris?:'' asked the young
man.
'tBy speaking as you did at dinner
against steam-Iaunches, and saying that
the men who owned them and used
them were cads, . replied Doris. ''Pa-
pa'sjust bought one, and next to his
fishing, has made it his great hobby" -
"By Jove! that S unlucky, " SAID Char.
lie. Now, what's to be done? It's
no use my going and telling him that 1
was only chatting, because L spoke so
straight"
81 don't know, Pm 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
fast without any trouble to them
Selves
"On a crowded river, washing away
banks, and kicking up no end of dirt
and nolse," continued the young officer.
"WeI, Pm awfully sorry, Doris, for
the old boy is rather touchy, and it
might influence his ideas withregard to
you and me, eh?''
When the young people had returned
to the drawing room it vas very evident
that the sold 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
ranked beneath the capacious waistcoat
of the wealthy old stock broker. He
answered his guest in curt monosylIa.
bles; he made much Tustling with the
newspaper, and coughed inOrdinately
during the performance of Charities
songs, and when 1t was time for the
young man TO return downward, instead
of offering him one of his famous An
TONNE Carmchos, shaking his hand
heartily and expressing a hope to see
him again soon, the old gentleman as
sumed a severe air and said:
"Ahem-Mr. Ringwood, of course
ahem-a gentleman of your refined
tastes could neyer-ahem-think of
marrying the daughter of a cad who
keeps a steam launchl Ahem-good
night, sir"
Charlie was staggered, and looked
pleadlngly at DORIS, who, however, only
shook her head slowly and significantly.
There were probably few more IN
happy young men that night within the
metropolitan radius than Charlie Ring
wood as he turned slowly homeward
and pondered that, in terse language of
Doris, he had done for himself.
The next morning brought him, in
stead of hope a letter from his sweet
heart which made him absolutely mis-
cradle. 1t was as follows;
"MY DEAREST CHARLIE'-I have
snatched a 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 l should not have minded had he
not wound up by |forbidding me to hold
any further communication with you,
and saying that a man who would be
ashamed of his father-ln-law because
he kept a steam-launch was not a fit
husband for his daughter. What are
we to do: Ever your affectoaate
"DoEls THORNTON"
"Ayel" muttered Charlie, when he
had read the letter for the twentieth
time. "'What are we to do? It's OF
no Use arguing with this sort Of old
fellow, once he gets a notion INTO his
"a aa-sl COO sr-- 80