Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1885-01-09
The Rivals Stratagem,

o. He shall not have her 70 said Mr..
skiv. 'ngton Fink, tragics,ly. "In
shoot him first l'
As M. Fink said this he ptared hard
at Mr.. ga muel Gamble, who sat suck
log cane head at some distance from
him, and casting admiring glances
meanwhile at Miss Evelina Speaker az
she bewailed tie wrongs of her down
trodden sex on the platform OF the
Spinster's Suffrage Association.
This association lad lately been
formed by Miss Speaker with the OBJ
ject OF freeing her sex generally from
the thraldOm OF man.
Mr.. Gamble had had money left him,
aud WAS. therefore, free to amuse him
self unfettered by any trade or profess
sion-a comfortable thing TO think OF,
considering his mental calibIe.
How he came into the circle over
which the rotund spi.nte reigned su-
preme IL OF no Importance. There he
was, and 1t was very evident that he
Lad his eye on EveliDa Speaker, a com
paratively young spinster, with fine
features aud cufiy black hair, cut sbor:
In her neck, and who was In possession
OF an income OF two hundred year.
A great contrast was Mr.. Gamble 10
the long haired, big collared, shabby
coated male followers In the procession
OF the strong minded females. "Well-
TODD" was written al over him, and
envious eyes indeed were the eyes OF
Mr.. Skivington Fink, who had looked
forward TO living very comfortably Gu
that income Of Miss Speakers, which
she would be obliged TO use for his
benefit when once they were married.
He's after her, Tom" repeated Mr..
Fink to his neighbor, Who look ed much
tidier than himself. as he was bald
and wore paper collar. Yes, hes
after her, Tom and she'll jilt me for
him, tor he's an afistocrat rolling In
gold, He's asking every one where she
lives. lie means TO call, and this L.
what she said 10 me tue other day
Skivvy, dear, sa d she, l like you,
and meant TO have you, bat II little
Gamble pops the question III have TO
have him. He's got money, and can
devote it to the cause. You haven't a
farthing.' Well, what could 1 say d?
Don't groan. says she. My mind IL
made up, SKivvy.' You're sure his
IL = said !, III rage, Well, ii you
can call 1t mud says she. She
appreciates my INTEL, ct but gold,
god, Tom-gold 70
" Sce mere, skivvy," ,aid Tom of
you get her through my means will you
pay my cigar bill at Scroggs'- after
you have soine cash 90
- swear It" said Skivvy.
Then go 10 hirn-to Gamble, you
know" said Tom. :. Tel him you
know Miss Speakers r-sideuce-here
Is the street and humber. Tell him
bhc il sure 10 be home on Wednesda y
evening at eight O'Clock, and leave the
rest to me-"
- What are you going to do 2" asked
SkivlngEon
" I'll tell you. DO what say tifst,"
replied his friend.
| say" said Skivington Fink"
leaning over CANDLES shoulder"
say, | hea you inquiring for Miss
Speaker address Here II IA. You'll
find her IN at eight o'clock, Wednes.
day"
Oh. thanks, awfully - responded
Gamble, putting up his eye-glass.
Obliged 40 etd."
Don't speak OF IT," growled Skiv.
ingtun, As lie departed.
Mum Der 80, Spraggin's Lane, said
young Gamble, examining the dirty
piece oi paper. "Spraggin's Lane
I'll 20 Wednesday evening, and III
offer before leave Wonderful
mind Glorious creature / dom
know what the Governor and the ole
lady vii, ray. but It can't be helped
you know
And Gamble put the lit OF paper into
his pocket book, and left the hail with
tie departing crowd.
We nesday evening came. A little
before eight o'clock anyone who chose
to look might have seen Mr.. Gamble
peeriug through his eye-2lass AT the
dingy numbers In u narrow sire [, and
finally riugiBg the bell daintily.
1t was Instantly opened by tall man,
bad, and wearing II paper collar and
with calico apron pinned about his
waist.
Miss Speaker oh, yes. Miss
Speaker lives here. She's my wife r
sister. My sister in.law, you know, -
this gentleman replied 10 Candies in
quiries. " Do walk in" And he led
tne way into shabby hack room.
" Every hing IN upside down. It's
been busy day-ali the things u
mend for the wash, dinner to get, aud
wife ii idn't come in until 1t was cold.
You know what women are Then
some OF the children seemed TO be
croupy. Pm Mis- Speakers brother.in
law Wife Ia her sister. These are ouI
our dear Infants. Say how dye do &c
the gentleman, my dears."
A group OF small children, who were
scattered about the floor, turned theiI
h.ads and stared at the stranger AZ the
mau spoke, and Gamble stared at them
aud said, Miss Speaker won't be long
you think %
mo she'll bo in soon with my
WIFE," said tho man. You won'l
mind me finishing the dishes, will you!
I've got 10 wash our children's things
10 morrow, 80 | must get breakfas,
early, you know"
"Oh, dear me, don't apologize.
beg SAID she bewi !dered Gam BILE, put
ting up his ey e-glass and gazing at the
gentleman in arnaAement.
1t was kitchen, and very dirty
biiohen AT that. Nine small children
W. re- scat. ared about the floor, and the
| gentleman of the house was washing
some cups and saucers in n battered til
| basin.
"Slster -in.law is speaking some
| WHERE continued the singular man
l anu WI 10 tptahinR Ioo. ~ - SUI
| prisirg how Evelina (that'; Mis-,
Speaker, you know takes after wife
Wife has very fine mind, and rathe
think sister in law y must be liner, fol
she's not at home even a. much AZ wifi
is ard wife has only spent half al
hour day here since the beginning o
the nunih | wanted her 10 stay II
mornings when the children had TN
sn all-pox, because that made the worl
heavy TOR NE. Washing, ironing
baking and nending, and no help; bu
she said, The great cause first, AM
| children afterward.' So did sister-in