Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1885-01-29
A STITCH IN TIME.
BIZ GUILD A. COPELAND.

It started with the black and white
exhibition last year. was going through
with my Uncle Mark, and we stopped
In front of picture labeled " The
Chemist" and / asked uncle what he
thought of it, had been working down
at the School of Mines myself for the
past month, but had said nothing about
1t to Uncle Mark.
II hate the sight of all of them. ="
cried the old gentleman, irascibly. "Since
my aunt eloped with q young whipper-
snapper of an apothecary's clerk, thirty
years ago, and brought disgrace to our
family, | feel my fingers itch to destroy
all their drugs and vilainous compounds.
heard you talking last summer about
taking up something of the kind, Mark,
and if you had, you'd have been ten
thousand dollars poorer than you will be
now. I'd not have left you cent. sir
not penny, sir. The Hepworths have
always been gentlemen, and | should be
sorry, sir, to see one Of them become a
syrup-mixer."
But, uncle, there is great deal of
difference between a chemist and a drug
store clerk. Every great scientific man
must understand chemistry, and even
if-n
"Don't you tell me, sir. know 'em
all, sir. These chemists are all alike,
STRIP
swell, I replied, meekly giving in,
"why didn't you say something to me
about it at the time Then, fearful,
lest he might find me out, added: 81
might have gone on and become chem
ist for all you said about it then"
f" / don't want to influence you, Mark.
You can go and do as you please for any
thing 1 shall say. have no authority
over you, and don't want any. Only, I
didn't intend to leave my money to any
apothecary, SIR"
This was pleasant. to say the least! l
firmly resolved to leave the school of
mines instanter. had taken it up on
the sly, intending to surprise my friends
by the discovery of new metal or some
such exploit. always washed my hands
in weak acid before leaving the labora-
tory, and changed my clothes and had
hitherto gone on undetected. So I felt
was safe if stopped.
by the way, Uncle, y said, Il think
shall 60 into business. Can you recon-
mend me to any one of your business ac-
quaintances? l Ishould like to commence
as soon as possible"
Uncle Mark looked very much pleased.
"That's right, my boy; that's right.
I'll see what I can do for you, Mean
while. ! see pretty Miss McGregor over
there, and would be cruel to keep you
away from her any longer, SO, au revoir,
Mark. Come and dine with me this
evening"" and the kind old gentleman
slipped off in moment.
instantly shot into the next room to
Miss McGregor's side. She also was
standing there looking at "The Chem
ist
"Well, Miss Flora, I" / said, "what do
you think of itg"
She turned quickly and stretched out
her hand.
Good-morning, Mr.. Hepworth," !" she
cried, smiling.
You were not at all startled?" said,
holding her hand-such a sweet little
hand, that it was positive pain to let it
go" and yet you did not hear me come
up2"
"No," said she, letting her hand still
lie in mine; "but it seemed SO natural
to have you standing there, !" and then
she suddenly blushed, and drew her
hand out Of my vigorous grasp. "That
is" she added, :" ] mean that-that II
She was growing rosily red, SO came
to her rescue.
"You mean, Miss Flora, y said, with
faint attempt at jocoseness, !" that /
have inflicted myself on you SO much
lately that you have come to look on me
as an inevitable, although tirescme in
cubus. Well, I admit that l have
haunted your steps very much lately,
and if it annoys you, you must send me
packing. / don't wonder that you be-
come awfully bored"
I" did notmean that, Mr.. Hepwcrth, 2
she said, hastily.
"Miss Flora, my name is not Mr..
Hepworth, interrupted.
She looked at me little astonished.
"Your name is not Mr.. Hepworeh2''
"No. That is, not to you. My name
is Mark, Miss Flora, if you please"
"But don't please, = she said, with a
pleasant little laugh. "That is-not
yet. Why, have only known you for
a half-yearl But to change the subject,
are you going to Mrs. De Morris Browns
next Tuesday night2"
81 haven't been asked that know
Of, = said ], sadly. Il don't know Mrs.
Brown =
But your uncle could get you an in
vitation if you wish one. lam going.
Miss Flora. ] shall be there if have
TO ask Mrs Brown myself for 4 card
But see your mother is looking anx-