Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-07-02
A LUCKY ACCIDENT.

A LUCKY ACCIDENT.
II say, Charley, you've done for
yourself this timer said pretty Doris
Thornton to her adorer, Charley Ring
wood, Of the Calkshire regiment as
they were sitting together after dinner
in the conservatory attached to the
pleasant riverside villa belonging to
Doris father, Mr.. Thomas Thornton,
of the stock exchange.
"Why-how, Doris" asked the young
man.
by speaking as you did at dinner
against steam launches, and saying that
the men who owned them and used
them were cads," replied Doris ''Pa-
pas just bought one, and, next to his
fishing, has made it his great hobby"
by Jove! that's unlucky," said
Charlie. NOW what's to be doneP
It's no use my going and telling him l
was only chatting, because | spoke so
straight"
81 don't know, | am sure" said
Doris, seriously. "You could hardly
have made q more unfortunate mis-
take, for papa considers the real cads
TO be those who growl because others
like to move fast without any trouble
to themselves.
"On a crowded river, washing away
banks and kicking up no end of dirt
and noise" continued the young Off
Ger. "Well, I'm awfuily sorry, Doris,
for the old boys rather touchy, and it
might influence his ideas with regard
to you and me, eh?'
Whom tho vnnpo t,aop1n hoI ,.o4,,.,,
ed to the drawing room it was very
evident that the ''old boy" was dis
turbed. In vain Charley sang his best
songs; in vain he tried to inveigle the
old gentleman into pleasant conversa-
ton; i'll vain he eXerted every effort to
show himself off to the best possible
advantage. The blow had been dealt,
and it ranked the capacious waistcoat
of the wealthy old stockbrokcr He
answered his guest in curt monosylla-
bles; he made much rustling with the
newspaper, and coughed inordinateIy
during the performance of Charley's
songs, and finally, when it was time
for the young man to return downward,
+. instead of offering him one of his fam
Gus Antonio Carunchos, shaking his
hand heartily, and expressing hope
to see him again soon, the old gentle
man assumed a severe air, and said:
"Ahem-Mr. Ringwood, of course
ahem-a gentleman of your refined
taste could -ahem-think of
marrying daughter of cad who
keeps steam launch! Ahem-good
night, sir.
Charles was staggered and looked
pleadngly ut Doris who however, only
shook her head slowly and significant
ly.
There were probably few more I'M
happy men that night within the met
ropolitan radius than Charlie Ring
wood as he turned slowly homewards
and pondcrcd that, in the terse Ian
guagc of Doris, he had done for him
self
The next morning brought him, in
stead of hope, letter from his sweet
heart, which made him absolutely mis-
cradle. 1t was as follows:
My Dearest Charlie: have snatched a
moment to write these few lines. Papa
was in an awful rage list nigh after you
had gone; called you an insoent puppy
ana all sorts Of things, which | should not
have minded had lie not wound up by for
bidding me to have any further communi-
cation with you, and saying that man
who would be ashamed of his father-n-
Lazy because g; e, he Kept steam launch was was
are we to do? Ever your atfcctiOnate
DORA THORNTON.
"Ayep muttered Charlie, when he
had read the letter for the twentieth
time. "What are we to do? It's no
use of arguing with this sort of old fell
low; once he gets notion into his
head no power on earth can drive it
out. wish to goodness I'd never said
word about steam launches.
In the evening he went to his club,
where he met with an old schoolfellow,
Jack Raggles. Now, Jack Raggles,
although continually in difficulty him.
self, was famous for his ingenuity in
getting others out of trouble. More
than once Charlie had been obliged to
have recourse to him for advice, and
he had never regretted it. This was
far more serious case than any pre-
ceding one, but Charlie was simply
desperate. and would have clung to
the maddest device suggested, as a
drowning man clutches to straw. So
he got Jack Ragges into a quiet cor
ner, and there, over a sherry-and-bit-
tiers, he laid the facts of the case be-
fore him.
''Well, said Jack when Charlie had
concluded, lit is certainly an awk-
ward case, and it would be deuced
hard lines for you to have to chuck up
all thoughts of marrying nice and
pretty girl like Miss Thornton for such
a Lriiie. But I've got fellows out of
far worse holes before now, and dare
say shan't fail this time"
ssN otai ra erOOH follow Taal 1tpop
my word YOU are, - said Charlie, en-
Enthusiastically; '.but. by Jove, if you
get me out of this you'll be genius. =
Jack was silent for few moments
and pulled vigorously at his cigar. At
length he added: al say, Charlie, isn't
the old man a regular maniac for fish
ingP"
Rather replied Charlie. HE takes
holiday about three times week on
purpose to fish. He starts off after
breakfast with big hamper and a lar
of beer, and he sits in punt until
evening. Still, now he's got this
wrctched steam launch, | expect he'll
off with the old love and on with the
new. But what has fishing to do with
the subject in hand?"
"Neyer you mind Just now,n an
swered his friend, ''but you find out
from Miss Thornton when her father
next intends to go ont in his punt, and
where he's likely to be, and then send
me telegram to Charges street, and
I'll tell you what to do.
Charlie had such implicit faith in
Jack Raggle's ingenuity that he wen.
home that evening in comparatively
happy frame of mind.
He wrote to Doris the first thingnext
morning, and the evening got 4 reply
TO the effect that Mr. Thornton was
already making preparations for long
days fishing upon the following We'd
nesday. lie telegraphed Immediately
to Jack RaggleS, and received the fol-
lowing reply
Keep close to him. but out of sight,
at o'clock in the evening"
Charlie wondered what on earth his
friends scheme could be, but he re-
solved to obey instructions. He knew
very well that Mr.. Thorntons happy
hunting ground was secluded back
later, famous for teneh and perch,
about a couple of hundred yards above