The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1884-08-30
which contained the parcels for the mi
raculous fish pond.

raculous fish pond.
Lady Rubicon and he had fixed an
hour when everyone except few work.
men had left the building, and the OPP
Grafton of arranging the packages
IN their ''pond'' was performed in the
absence of all responsible individuals
except her ladyship and the Hon Hum.
phrey. Mr.. Korner was very careful
about his parcels. He explained that
many of them contained glass and re-
quired cautious handling, and he super
intended the entire operation in per-
son.
"You and the girls will be here early
tomorrow morning, won't you ?" she
said, as she bade goodnight to the
American.
Certainly we are always pune
tual." And he left her charmed with
his courtsey.
The next morning was bright and
fine, Lady Rubicon was early astir,
and eagerly opened her letters to see
if any Of her friends were going to
disappoint her at the fair. Much to
her disgust she read the following;
MY DEAR LADY RUBICoN: L am
truly sorry to be obliged to be absent
from the fair tomorrow. Important
business demands my presence in Paris,
and am starting by the night boat.
Wishing you every success, to which
trust the fish pond will contribute,
with profound regret believe me yours
very sincerely. ]. b. KoRNER.
"How very annoying /" calculated
Lady Rubicon; but the girls will be
there. really must make Humphrey
come the point with Stella.
Misfortune never comes singly, as
Lady Rubicon discovered, for when she
got up to the hall a couple of hours
later she found telegram from Miss
Korner saying that she and her sister
had been summoned to Devonshire to
the bedside of a dying aunt.
"Was there ever anything quite so
annoying ?" exclaimed Lady Rubicon.
l never even knew they had an aunt in
Devonshire. 1t is really most provok-
ing"
However, there was no help for it,
and as soon as the Hon. Humphrey
made his appearance his mother ex-
planned to him that he must act as
Snowman of the fish pond, describe Its
manifold attractions to the crowd, and
descant eloquently upon the treasures
which the generous millionaire had
scattered broadcast among the paper
parcels.
''You mnst talk as if you knew all
about it you know, Humphrey. Every
bodythinks we are in the secret, 80 that it
will never do to confess our ignorance, {"
added-hl mother judlciously.
Like dLtiful son Mr.. Plque consent
ed and was soon busily engaged in his ar
duous duties. Among his earliest Gus
toners happened to be Lady Harcourt
herself, She angled successfully and
landed a small but substantial parcel.
"You mustn't open it here you know"
said the Hon. Humphrey, laughing.
''Dear me what a pityl" said her
ladyship. swell will take it home
and show it to Sir William he likes
mysteries" Her ladyship'S example
was followed by hundreds of others ;
in fact, as had been expected, the fish
pond was the great attraction.
Four O'Clock came and the fair was
in full swing the stalls were doing a
roaring trade (; the Duchess had sold in
Vulnerable button-holes; Lady Victor
las teeth positively ached from biting
cigars; all the prettiest women in Lon
don were perambulating the hall, dress
ed in more or less outrageous costumes.
and flirting impartially with peers and
shop boys in the sacred cause of chari-
ty. The Hon. Humphrey, gorgeously
arrayed in green plush and silk stock
ings, had shouted himself hoarse at the
fish pond, half sovereigns were pouring
in upon him, and a regular queue of
people were waiting for their turn to
angle for one of the mlllionaire's Won
derful presents. Just when the fun
was at its height couple of footmen
ia livery elbowed their way unceremo.
niously through the crowd and seized
the Hon. Humphrey by each arm.
whats the matter calculated that
young gentleman, dropping his eyeglass
and staring in establishment at his as
sailants.
One man leaned forward and whis-
pered word in the Hon. Humphreys
ear. The effect upon the scion of no.
bility was electrical. His face turned
ghastly pale, his jaw fell, he cast a ter
rible glance toward the fish pond, and
then made violent plunge forward.
Gently, sir, gently" said the man,
sternly.
''Let me get outI Good heavens,
let me get out ~ screamed the Hon.
Humphrey.
"Not just yet, sir" replied his tor
mentor. "Tell 'em the hall must be
cleared at once,n he added to his COM
panion IN low voice, and then came
to pass most remarkable phenomen-
on. Policemen seemed to spring up in
every direction. In two minutes a
line was formed around the fish pond,
and the crowd were politely but firmly
told that they must at once disperse.
At first there was a certain amount of
angry remonstrance. and even of forci-
BILE opposition but somehow or anoth-
er mysterious word began to be whis-
pered about which had a miraculous ef-
feet in disarming all resistance. With
one consent everybody turned tail and
aed Flower Girls peasants. Vatican