The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1885-08-08
The EdeS of March.

mature equinoctial ragged throughout
the city streets. A young man had just
seated himself at his breakfast, when
some fond recollection stole over him
which led him to investigate the wealth
er. He went to the window and gazed
at the storm with every increasing dis
may.
Great Scott!' he calculated, there's
a pretty mess He scanned the heav-
ems in all directions, but the outlook
was hopeless. Catching up the Herald,
he eagerly sought for Old Probs' views
on the subject. But the clerk of the
weather was way off. Old Probs said
clear and cold.' With sniff of con-
tempt at such representations, he laid
down the paper and devoted himself to
his breakfast.
The door presently opened and ad-
mitted short, crisp old gentleman, as
blooming as May morning in spite OF
his sixty-ive years.
Morning, Richard said he.
Morning
sSeasonable weather, eh, Richard
Something electric in day like this
sends the blood through your veins,
and so on. Well, what's the news
war declared? Pass me the paper,
Dick?'
The old gentleman's cheerfulness was
singularly offensive to Richard, con-
sidering his own low state, so he hastily
swallowed his breakfast and struggled
down to business, grumbling unpleasant
things about the weather all the way.
Martin Davenport, Dicks uncle, was
an importer in woods for household
interiors. He was wealthy and bache-
lor. If one was to believe all he said,
he detested women and duly declared
that if Dick ever married he must say
eood-by to his uncle. Richard was his
book-keeper on slender salary Qest he
should be led into temptation) and in
love with the dearest girl in the world.
He hadn't told her so, because, all
things considered, it was useless. His
uncle enjoyed rude health, so there
were slim possibilities in that direction.
The fact that connubial bliss was not
at present out of the question was not
the immediate cause of his perturbed
spirit. At this very moment he was
pacing the office floor in rage. He had
invited his fairest fair to accompany
him to the play of Julius Cesar al
Booths theatre. The tickets were pur-
chased days since. Dick pulled then
from his pocket as if hoping some mir
acle had changed the date. But no
March IS, in clearest type, met his de-
gaze. He groaned aloud.
sWhat the devils the matter with
you, Dick2' said his uncle, who hac
but just dried his feet and was preparing
for his morning work.
The wild idea of throwing himsel
upon his uncle's mercy crossed hi:
mind, and without thinking of the pos
sibility of being ridiculed he exclaimed
'Uncle I'm in a box
'Boxi What kind? Now, don't say
financial, Richard, it's no good,' and
the old gentleman chuckled gleefully
you see, it's like this, Uncle Martin,
Richard went on, not glibly as he coulc
have wished. I've asked a young lady
to 60 to the theatre tonight and its rain
ing great guns
| sWell?'
'She lives in Brooklyn. Storms, yor
know, and I ought to take carriage
To hire carriage to go way over there
and then wait for us and all that would
take lot of money, and I am strapped
Had money enough yesterday, but
forgot all about to-night's engagement
and paid bill, and this miserable little
two dollar bill is every blessed cent I've
got. What shall do, unclea'
Beware the ides of March, Richard,
chuckled the old gentleman, and hi
turned his back on the wretched young
man and occupied himself with the
mail.
Dick felt suicidal. He might seno
word that sudden illness prevented him
etc., but she probably wouldn't believ'
it. He plunged his hands into th'
depths of his trousers pockets, he stared
out at the rain imploringly and defiant
ly by turns, as if he could influence th'
elements by one expression or the other
Finally, in despair, he was about t.
go to work, when messenger bo.
brought him letter, the reading o
which caused grim of delight to creel
over his handsome face. He heaved
tremendous sigh of relief and murmur
ed, That was close shave!'
At this point Mr.. Martin Davenpor
threw down his letters, exclaiming.