Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-09-27

signs 70 the fair Mary Ellen In order TO
| draw her attention, and that quick
witted young lady was by no means
| slow in guessing that Tiddlewinks was
deeirous Of opening private commune
cations with her. The youth. after
having thus :. caught her eye" brought
by well-exssuted rapid flank move
ment, his dexter hand into close prox-
unity to the plump little palm Of his
young mistress, who rapidly transferred
the letter held by the strstegical I'D
dlewinks into her dress-pocket, and by
nod dismissed the buttoned Mercury
! SNOW" said MIR. Chucklcs, At length
laying down his paper--"now ior TINS
letter. lie deliberately cut open the
envelope. and then running his eyes over
the pages till he came to the signature,
cave low whistle, which Of course at
once aroused the curiosity Of his wife
and daughter.
who is it from, pa?" inquired
Mary Ellen. -,
uFromg" echoed Mr.. Chuckles.
4" why, it's from that--that--impudent
Young Frank Featherwell. Justlisten
| 10 what he says, or rather, writes:
"tMy Dear Mr.. Chuckles,-know-
ing how fond you are Of new-laid eggs
and at the same time being fully alive
10 the difficulties which beset your path
in procuring them in fresh state,
have taken the liberty to send you
| little present in the shape Of few
choice specimens Of cochin-china fowls,
which will amply repay you for the
food and attention bestowed upon them
by supplying you literally with the re.
ouisite edible. Trusting the hamper OF
birds will arrive all right and safe,
am, my dear sir, yours faithfully,
| 90 FRANK FEATHERwELL.'
II am sure it is very kind OF the
Young man," said Mrs. Chuckles sp-
provingly. =,
"And only to think, papa, he should
have sent you the dear chickies just at
the very moment you had made up
your mind to have some What a CO.
incidence
"Well," returned Mr.. Chuckles. 81
can't say that an struck all of heap
at this display of generosity on the part
of your admirer; simply regard it as
q mere attempt to gain my appreciation
to his paying his addresses to my only
daughter in order that he may receive
her hand-aye, and her fortune"
~ am quite certain, Christopher"
remarked Mrs. Chuckles with some
degree of warmth, "that Mr.. Feather
we'll is not in any way influenced by
considerations Of mercenary nature
with regard to dear Mary Ellen. But
there, you always were SO suspicious of
your fellow-creatures."
Suspicious, madam. Certainly,
because have found it pays the best in
the long run never to credit any one
with doing anything disinterestedly,"
retorted Mr.. Chuckles oracularly.
~ But here's a postscript to the letter.
What is it? Il must beg of you to be
wary Of the old one, because, though a
splendid bird, he is somewhat given to
pecking.' Oh, that's its little pecu-
iiarity, is it !" exclaimed Mr.. Chuckles,
folding up his letter. ~ fancy ] shall
| be careful Of the ancient biped."
"But, papa, perhaps the word peck
ing refers to its capacity for con-
Stunning barley" suggested Mary Ellen.
Nonsense, my dear" replied her
father. Depend upon it, the caution
applies to the fowls prediction for the
calves Of human legs"
Here Tiddlewinks made his re-
appearance at the door, his agitated
countenance indicating the opposite of a
calm state Of mind.
NOW, what is the matter?" asked
Mr.. Chuckles.
"Ple-e-se, sir, it amt my fault, sir"
stammered the hspless youth.
"What is not your fault?"
"Why, sir, please, sir, the cove, the
party as has brought the 'amper of
chickens, sir, he's down stairs, SIR"
and as though in confederation of the
pages assertion the shrill Growing Of a
cockerel penetrated the breakfast par
lor with ear-splitting distinctness.
"There he goes, sir" remarked
Tiddlewinks.
"Ah! the cochins-just so," OBJ
served Mr.. Chuckles briskly.
"How my poor head will suffer in
the morning " said Mrs. Chuckles rue
fully.
"Take the hamper into the garden,
Tiddlewinks," directed Mr.. Chuckles.
"Yes, sir; but it amt my fault that
there's seven and sixpence to pay, sir ;
and the man won't leave the 'amper
J till he's got the money, sir. He's a
setting down on the basket, SIR"
"Seyen and sixpence to pay for car
=. riage!" Indignantly exclaimed Mr..
, Chuckles. 81 mean to say, when one
party sends present to another party
: the cost OF conveyance should be de.
. frayed by the sender. Tiddlewinks
: proceed; ! will follow and endeavor to
= obtain reduction Of this demand"
, Dear me-" said Mrs. Chuckles Ia
. Mary Ellen, as the door closed upon heI
$ husband, chow violent Christopher is
. l am very much afraid he will never
S give his consent to your marriage will
: Mr.. Featherwell."
n "Then will marry dear Frank with
n out papa's CONSENT" retorted Mar!
r Ellen, spiritedly, "perhaps sooner thar
y you imagine, ma, dear"
II really cannot say am mucl
y pleased with Frank for sending thos
n noisy FOWLS" remarked Mrs. Chuckles
Mamma, feel quite certain tina
5. dear Frank had some special motive il
@ view when he sent them," returne
10 Mary Ellen significantly.
perhaps he had, my dear, but
lr think it would have been wiser on hi
ID part had he paid the carriage" replies
10 Mrs. Chuckles, rising from her sea
4" and going toward the door.
no The moment her mother left tn
he room Mary Ellen impatiently drew he
letter from her pocket and tore ope
e. the envelope with nervous haste an
commenced rapidly to peruse the cor
~ tents. Exactly as thought" sh
he murmured, q mischievous look twink
es ling in her eyes. Thus ran the letter