Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1885-09-03
swoop down and condemn me at the

swoop down and condemn me at the
very threshold.
''Young man. I said, ''you should
not jest upon serious topics"
81 don't, 1 DON'T" he answered;
'1'm gravity ITSELF" Il suppose"
he continued, with a twinkle in his
eye, "that's what ties me SO closely
to earth, and prevents my rising to
higher and more ethereal spheres"
No one could have been more sur
prised than myself to find that I was
actually laughing at this sorry piece
of humor. Yet such was the case.
He recognized his advantage and was
not slow to profit by it.
"Come, SIR" he suggested.
wouldn't it be as well to tie a hand
kerchief round your head7 I don't
know how you stand for furnishings
within, but good quality or bad, the
east wind is apt to play the very devil
with them
'sReally, SIR" / expostulated-not
however, forgetting to act upon the
hint-"although the advice may be
good, your manner of giving it is Of
fensive, highly offensive"
lis it?" he said, with blank look
of innocence; "upon my soul, Pm
awfully sorry. It's the fault of my
training, 1 presume. You'd place me
under considerable obligation if you'll
tell me whenever I am offensive"
1t was at this moment I remem-
bered that the stranger must be very
wet as regards neither garments. "My
dear sir,'' I said, ''pardon my forget
fulness; you must be soaking
He glanced down at his trousers,
which were clinging clammily to his
limbs. ''Yes," he replied, "your
streams seem about as damp as they
make EN-"
'Let US 60 up to the rectory," l
continued, land Well soon put that
to rights" To this proposal he ac-
ceded with cheerful alacrity, and side
by side we advanced towards the
house.
On entering we passed at once into
my study, where a bright fire was
burning. Without waiting for an in,
vitation my new acquaintance placed
himself before it, and was quickly
enveloped in a cloud of vapor.
81 see you smoke" he remarked
nodding with his head toward the
cigar 1 held in my hand.
"Yes," I assented; sat my time
of life little indulgence in the habit
is permissible, if not positively bene
fetal. But it is one 1 greatly depre
cate in young men,"
"Ah, you're quite right" he re-
joined, taking case from his pocket
and extracting a large cigar. 'Dt
you know" he went on easily, %
fancy you and have many ideas il
common. You like a good cigar;
can tell by the smell that's a first-rat'
brand you're smoking. So do I
Our opinions as to the sanctity O
property are similar-that is, so fa
as our own is concerned. And
shan't be bit surprised if we wer'
agreed upon the merits of glass o
sherry for stimulating ones circula
ton after immersion in cold water.
Really this young man was carry
ing things with rather high hand
and had it not been that I LOOKED
forward to his support later on,
should have been inclined there ant
then to show him the door.
| AS produced the decanter I salt
rather dryly, 81 don't know what m.
daughter would say if she knew O
this"
"By Jove!" he replied, helping
himself, $50 you've got daughter
Is she pretty?"
! 'Fairly so,''' 1 replied. Then re
membering that it was only right t
give him hint as to her peculia
temperament, continued, "she take
after her mother"
II guessed as mueh," he inter
rupted, lifting the glass to his lips
''I presume she inherits her inte
lectual qualities from her father
1 was on the point of replying al
grily to the remark, but before
could do he resumed: "'Pon m
soul, sir, Pm almost sorry [ cam
now; for, to tell the truth, I'm de
perate lady-killer, and if she took
fancy to me there'd be the deuce
l pay
: In the actual state of affairs tt
: idea of Glare falling in love with tn
young swaggerer was so delicior
{ that, forgetting what was due to
: guest, I lay back in my chair an
, laughed till the tears coursed dow
my checks.
, He looked at me gravely for son
time, and then said: 'It's awful
? funny, no doubt, but for the life
: me, can't quite see the point OF Il
joke"
His words recalled me to a sen:
, of my duties. "Really, sir" l r
g sumed. II owe you an apology Il
/, my rudeness, but when you ha
. known my daughter a little I THU
, you will understand my merrimer