Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-12-03

and when at length their excitement
simmered down, they found them
selves In the middle of an iI1mence
crowd OF people. none OF whom knew
them or seemed to know each other.
As they grew cooler they bethought
themselves to look about for some &C
quaintances. They soon found one,
but not exactly one they expected or
desired to meet. In fact, it was young
Holdfast, son of the iron monger in
Snobton. They pretended not to
see him, but he was not to be passed
by. Coming close to them, he gave
Mr.. Tallow a punch in the ribs, and
when that gentleman turned sternly
TO him, the youth, with one eye shut
to denote knowingness, whispered /:
Found out old Boosey, too, eh?"
With a severe glance, Mr.. Taliow
turned his back upon the young man,
and without deigniDg to reply to his
rude remark, moved away with his
! lady through the crowd.
They had not gone far before they
came upon another face they knew.
When she noticed it, Mrs. Tallow
glanced at her husband IN shocked
surprise, Tor it was no other than Mrs
Taper, the play actress. Mr.. Tallow
returned his wife's glance.
Company somewhat mixed, it
seeE1s to me-" he whispered to her, in
grim tone.
Both Mr.. and Mrs. Tallow were be-
ginning to feel bitterly disappointed
with their first experience IN smart
society. when ali their misgivings
were changed to joy, by their sudden
ly coming upon the Viscountess
Swaren. She was conversing with a
tall, biack-bearded gentleman In a
blue ribbon, GA Knight CT the Gar
ter Or something" whispered Mr.. Tai
low. LET us go to her at once; she
may introduce U.s."
The ViscOuntess went or chatting
gayly, unconscious of their presence,
until Mr.. Tallow said to her, in voice
loud enough to attract her and her
companions attention, ''How do you
do, my lady? We're delighted to see
your ladyshlp. I hope your ladyship
is well2"
The Viscountess started at his voice,
and turning round gszed at the speak
er and Mrs.. TaIlow, who stood smiling
beside him; while the black bearded
gentleman, raising his glasses to his
eyes, scrutinized the pair calmly.
Then, without answering a word, IN
her stately manner the President of
the Curzon and Swaren Habitation
turned her back upon the Tallows
and continued her conversation with
the black bearded gentleman.
The worthy couple stood lost in
rage and indignation. These were
not diminished when young Holxfast
came to them grinning from ear to
ear, and whispered to MR.. Tallow:
Proud, ain't she? Was going to ask
you for an introduce. Glad didn't"
The Tallows did not look that night
for any more Of their distinguished
acquaintances.
A few days later Mrs. Tallow went
back 10 Snobton to attend a meeting
of the Curzon and Swaren Habitation.
She did so because the Hon Lillian
Cu1zon was to preside. When the
meeting was over, she had little
chat with the Ruling Councillor in the
course Of which she complained Of
Lady Swaren's treatment of her. To
her astonishment, Miss Curzon, in
stead of being indignant at the Wis
countess behavior, was astonished at
Mr.. Tallow's speaking to her.
Il wasn't aware" she said, that
you knew her."
''Not know herp' exclaimed Mrs.
Tallow. why, we have met her
a score of times, and once she dined
with u.s."
sob, yes, know that" replied the
Hon. Lillian, with one of her sweetest
smiles. But that, you know, was
on business. [ wasn't aware you
knew her in-ah-her private Ca
pacity."