Smyrna times., 1885-01-14
The Rivals Stratagem.

"He shall not have herl' said Mr.
Skivington Fink, tragically. 'IL shoot
him first I"
As Mr. Fink said this he stared hard
at Mr.. Samuel Gamble, who sat sucking
a cane head at some distance from him,
and casting admiring glances meanwhile
at Miss Evelina Speaker as she bewailed
the wrongs Of her down-trodden sex on
the platform of the Spinster's Suffrage
Association.
This association had lately been form
ed by Miss Speaker with the Object of
freeing her sex generally from the thral-
dom of man.
Mr.. Gamble had had money left him,
and was. therefore, free to amuse him.
self unfettered by any trade or profession
"a comfortable thing to think of, con-
sidering his mental calihre.
How he came into the circle over
which the rotund spinster reigued su-
preme is of no Importance There he
was, and it was nv evident that he had
his eye on Evelina Speaker, n compara-
lively young spinster, with fine features
nnd curly black hair, cut short in her
neck, and who was i'll possession of an
income of two hundred n year. A great
contrast was Mr.. Gamble to the long
haired, big-collared, shabby-coa.ed male
followers in the procession of the strong
minded females "Well-to do" was
written all over him, and envious indeed
We're the eyes of Mr.. Sllivington Fink,
who had looked forward to living very
comfortably on that income of Miss
/ Speaker, which she would be obliged to
use for his benefit when once they were
married.
Hes after her, Tom" repeated Mr..
Fink to his neighbor, who looked much
tidier than himself as he was bald, and
wore a paper collar. "Yes, he's after
her, Tom and she'll jilt me for him,
for he's an aristOcrat rolling i'll gold.
He's asking every one where she lives.
He means to call, and this is what she
said 70 me the other day 'Skivvy, dear,
said she, I like You, aud I meant to
have you, but if little Gamble pops the
question I'll have to have him. He's
got money, and I can devote it to the
cause. You haven't farthing Well,
what could say? Don't groan, says
she. My mind is made up. Skivvy.'
You're sure his is?' said I, in rage
well, if you can call it mind says
she. She appreciates my intellect but
gold, gold, Tom gold !"
"See here, Skivvy," said Tom "if
You get her through my IN rs will you
pay my cigar bill at Scroggs's after you
have the cash p
81 swear it, said Skivvy
"Then go to him-to Gamble, you
know" said Tom. "Tell him You know
Miss Speakers residence-here is the
street and number. Tell him she is
sure to be home on Wednesday evening
at eight o'clock, and leave the rest to
me-"
"What are you going to do?" asked
SkivingtOn.
"Tll tell You. Do what say first,
replied his friend.
" say" said Skivington Fink, lean
ing over Candles shoulder, q say,
heard you inquiring for Miss Speaker,
address. Here it is. You'll find her il
at eight o'clock, Wednesday,"
"Oh, thanks, awfully I" responded
Gamble, putting up his eye-glass
Obliged no end"
"Don't speak of it" growled Skiving
ton, as he departed
Number so, Spraggin's Laue" sal,
young Gamble, examining the dirt
piece of paper. "Spraggin'4 Lane! II
go Wednesday evening, and I'll offe
before 1 leave. Wonderful mind Glo1
ious creature! 1 don't know what til
governor and the old lady will say, bu
it can't be helped you know"
y And Gamble put the bit of paper int
e his pocket-book, and left the hall wit
It the departing crowd.
: Wednesday evening came. A littl
e before eight o'clock anyone who chOs
u to look might have seen Mr.. Gambl
: peering through his eye-glass at tn
IS dingy numbers in a narrow street, an
e finally ringing the bell daintily.
o 1t was instantly opened by tall MAJ
bald, and wearing a paper collar, an
n with calico apron pinned about h
! waist
n "Miss Speaker Oh, yes. Mi
S, Speaker lives here She's my wife's 81
r. r. ter. My sister-in-law, you know" tn
" gentleman replied to CANDLES inquire
IN "Do walk in" And he led the wI
. into a shabby back room. "EverythiI
is upside down. It's been busy day
r. all the things to mend for The wash, di
- ner to get and wife didn't come III un
it was cold You know what women al
Then some of the children seemed to
=, croupy. I'm Miss Speakers brother-i
law Wife is her sister. These are o
our dear infants. Say how dye do
i. the gentleman, my dears. "
A group of small children, who we
scattered about the floor, turned TIN
heads and stared at the stranger as t
man spoke, and Gamble stared at the
and said, Z" Miss Speaker won't be Ion
you think2"
- "No; she'll be i'll soon with my wife
s9s said the man. lyon won't mind !
~ ,'S2 finishing the Dishes will yOu9 I've 6
to wash our childeren's things tO-mt
IA. row, so must get breakfast early, y
lay know"
= "Oh, dear me, tapologize, I beg
Ice. said the bewildered Gamble, putting
his eyeglass and gazing at the gentlem
in amazement.
1t was a kitchen, and very dirty k
chen at that Nine small children We
g scattered about the floor, aud the gent
man of the house was washing sol
cups and saucers in battered tin bas
"Sister-in-law is speaking son
where" continued this singular ms
" ssand wife is speahinrr too. IT. is 81