The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-10-30
THE IDES OF MARCH.

IL was the 15 OF March and q prema-
tsre e~quinoctial ragged throughout the
city streets. A young man who had
just seated himself at his breakfast,
when some fond recollection stole over
him which led him to investigate the
weather. He went to the window and
gazed at the storm with ever-increas-
ing dismay.
Great Scott" he calculated, there's
q pretty mess" He scanned the
heavens in all directions, but the out
look was hopeless. Catching up the
Herald he eagerly soughtfo fol Old
viaHsa= m tha4snbject. But the clerk of
the weather was way of. Old Prob
said :sclear and cold" With q sniff of
contempt at. such representations,
helaid down the paper and devoted
himself to his breakfast.
The door presently opened and adj
mitted q small, crisp old gentleman,
as blooming as a Maymorning in spite
of his 50 years.
Morning, Richard said he.s
Morning
aSeasonabie weather, eh, Richard?
Something electric in day like this;
sends the blood tinglipg through your
veins, and SO on. Well, what's the
news-war declared? Pass me that
paper, Dick.
The ofdgentleman's cheerfulness was
singllarly offensive TO Richard con
sideEiiag his own low state, SO he hastily
swallowed his breakfast and struggled
down to business, mumbling unpleas-
ant things about the weather all the
way. Martin Davenport, Dicks
uncle, was an importer OF woods for
household interiors. He was wealthy
and a bachelor. II one was to believe
all he said he detested women, and
daily declared that if Dick ever a
ried he must say good-by to his uncle.
slender salary lest he should beledin-
to temptation,) and in love with the
dearest girl in the world. He hadn't
told her so because, all things con
sidered, it was useless. His uncle en-
joyed rude health, SO there were slim
possibilities in that direction.
The fact that connubialBbliss was Mt
present out of the question was the
immediate u OF his %perturbed
spirit. At this very moment he was
pacing the Office floor in rage. Hehad
invited his fairest fair to accompany
him to the play OF Julius Cesar at
Booths Theater. The tickets were
purchased days since. Dick pulled
them from his pocket as ifhopingsome
miracle had changed the date. But
no; March Is, in clearest type, met his
despairing gaze. He groaned aloud.
"What.the devils the matter with
you, Dick?" said his uncle who had
Just dried his feet and was preparing
for his morning work.
The wild idea of throwing himself up
on his uncle's mercy crossed his mind,
and without thinking ofthepcssibility
of being ridiculed, he exclaimed, "Uncle,
I'm in a box"
"Boxl What kind? Now don't say
financial Richard; it's no good" and
the old gentleman chuckled, gleefully.
aYou see, it's like this, Uncle Mar
TIM" Richard went on, not as glibly as
he could have wished. give asked a
young lady to GO to the theater to
night, andit's raining great guns.
NWell?o
She lives I'M rooklyn. Storms, you
know, and / ought to take a carriage.
TO hire a carriage to go over there,
and then to wait for us and all that,
would take a lot of money, and Tn
strapped. Had money enough yester.
day, but forgot all about to-night's
engagement and paid q bill, and thit
miserable So dollar bill is every bless
ed cent I've got. What shall / do
Uncle?"
Beware of the ides of March, Rich
ard chuckled the old gentleman, anc
he turned his back to the wretchet
young mar and occupied himself will
the mail.
Dick felt suicidal. He might SEM
word that sudden illness prevented
him, etc, but she probably wouldn'
believe it. He plunged his hands intt
the depths OF his trousers pockets, h
stared out at the rain imploringly ant
defiantly by turns, as if he could influ
ence the elements by one expression o.
the other.
Finally i'll despair he was about tt
90 to work when a messenger DO,
brought him a letter, the reading o
which caused q grin OF delight to creel
over his handsome face. He heaved
tremendous sigh OF relief, and mur
INJURED: THAT was &; close sha ke!"
At this point Mr.. Martin Davenport
threw down his letters, exclaiming:
"Vkat are you up to now, Dick
How'sa man to read with you snort
ing like q steam engine?"
Dick Davenport's soul was simpl,
overfowing with gratitude, andhe wa
ready to pour forth the sequel of hi
recent woe, SO he exclaimed impulsive
":
.ssuch luck! I've a letter from tn
young lady. You know"
what young LADY,"
ayVhy the young lady ! asked to g
to Booths tonight"
Death in the family and begs t,
be excused? You're mclover, Dick"
"Ohi no, uncle, it's-but, here, yol
read it,"
With a very wry countenance tn
old gentleman gingerly took the mis-
siye and read:
Dear Mr.. Davenport: In consequence
OF the rain, which 1 do not wish to depriy
mo Of the pleasure OF this evenings engage
ment with you, 1 write this to tell you tina
willspend the night with my aunt, Mrs
Bently, at No.-West fifty-third street, an
you may call for me there. 1t will say
you q wet %journe.. to Brooklyn, and wi
also be much nicer about getting home.
Don't BIO offended i'll shy my aunt
house is SO very c~essvenient to the hors
cars that il you CAT FOR me with q -carrias
Ireiuse to 60 at ali. This 10 not a whiu
but q principle. Ihopc you know ne we
enough to believe that / mean precisel
What say.
Very truly yours, ANNE FIELDlsa.
aJerusaiem.a cyclailred the old ger