Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-06-04
A LUCKY ACCIDENT.


they were sitting together after dinner
in the conservatory attached to the
pleasant riverside villa belonging to
of the stock exchange.
"Why-how, Doris2" asked the
young man.
"By speaking as you did at dinner
against steam launches, and saying
that the man who owned them and
used them were cads, )" replied Doris.
"Papa's just bought enc, and, next to
his fishing, has made it his great
hobby"
"By Jove! that's unlucky," said
Charlie. Now what's to be done?
It's no use OF nay going and telling
him l was only chatting, because [
spoke SO straight"
Il don't know, I am sure" said
Doris, seriously. "YOu could hardly
have made 8 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"
ION crowded river, was hing away
banks and kicking up no end of dirt
and noise" continued the young Off
Ger. We'll, I'm awfull;, sorry, Doris,
for the old boys rather touchy, and it
might influence his ideas with regard
10 you and me, eh?"
When the young people had return
ed TO the drawing room 1t was very
evident that the 'old boy" was dis
turbed. Tn vain Charlie sang his best
songs; In vain he tried to inveigle the
angry old gentleman into pleasant
conversation in vain he exerted every
effort to show himself off to the best
been dealt, and it ranked in the capa-
cious waistcoat of the wealthy old
stockbroker. Re answered his guest
in curt nonosyllables; he made much
rustling with the newspaper, and
coughed inordinately during the per-
Torrance of Charles songs, and
finally, when it was time for the
young man to return downward, in
stead of offering him one of his IA
NOUS Antonio Carunchos, shaking his
hand heartily, aHd expressing hope
to see him again soon, tie old gen
tleman assumed a severe air, and
said:
''Abem-Mr. RingWood, of course
Athena gentleman of your refined
taste could never-ahem-thin of
marrying a daughter of a cad who
keeps steam launch! Ahem-good
night, SIR"
Charles was staggered and looked
pleadingly at Doris, who, however,
only shook her head slowly and sig
nifcantly.
There were probably few more I'M
happy men that night within the
metropolitan radius than Charlie
Ringwood as he turned slowly home
ward and pondered that, in the terse
language of Doris, he had done for
himself.
The next morning brought him, ins
stead of hope, letter from his sweet
heart, which made him absolutely
miserable. 1t was as follows:
Ny dearest Charlie: [ have snatched
moment to write these few lines.
Papa was ia an awful rage last night
after you had gone; called you an in
solent puppy, and all sorts of things.
which | should not have minded had
he not wound up by forbidding me to
have further communication with you
and saying that a man who would be
ashamed of his father-in-law because
he kept steam launch was not a fit
husband for his daughter. What. are
we to do3 Ever your affectionate.
DORA THORNTON.
''Aye!" muttered Charlie, when he
had read the letter for the twentieth
time. What are we TO do? It's of
no use arguing with this sort of old
fellow; once he gets notion into ais
head no power on earth can drive it
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 school-fel-
low, Jack Raggles Now Jack Rag
giles, although continually in difficult
ty himseli, was famous for his ingenu~
ity in getting other men out of their
troubles. More than once Charlie had
been obliged to have recourse to him
for advice, and he had never regret
ted it. This was far more serious
case than any preceding one, but
Charlie was simply desperate, and
would have chung to the maddest de-
vice suggested, as a drowning man
clutches to a straw. So he got Jack
Raggles into quiet corner, and there,
over sherry-and bitters, he laid the
facts of the case before him.
Well" said Jack when Charlie
had concluded. sit certainly is an
awkward case. and it would be 9euc-
ed hard lines for you to have
TO chuck up all thoughts of marrying
nice and pretty girl like Miss Thorn
ton for such trif1a. But I've got fell
lows out of far worse holes before
now, and l dare say shan't fail this
time"
"Ycu are good fellow, Jack, up
on my word you are" said Charlie,
enthusiastically shut, by Jove, il
you get me out of this you'll bea gent
u.s."
Jack Was silent for few moments
and pulled vigorously at his cigar
At length he added: II say, Charlie
isn't the old man regular maniac
for fshings"