Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-06-04
A LUCKY ACCIDENT.

wood, of the Cal1shire regiment, as
they were sitting together after dinner
in the conservatory attached to the
pleasant riverside villa belonging to
Doris father, Mr.. Thomas Thornton,
of the stock exchange.
"Why-how, Dorisl" asked the
young man.
"By speaking as you did at dinner
against steam launches, and saying
that the man who owned them and
used them were cads, " replied Doris,
"Papa's Just bought one, and, next TO
his dshing, has made it his great
hobby.
by Jove that's unlucky,' said
Charlie. Now what's to be done?
It's no use of nay going and telling
him | was only chatting, because |
spoke so straight"
Il don't know, l am sure, said
Doris, seriously. "You could hardly
have made more unfortunate mis-
take, for papa considers the real cads
to be those who growl because others
like to move fast without any trouble
TO themselves"
ION crowdedriver, wa-hing away
banks and kicking up no end Of dirt
and noise, continued the young Off
Ger. well, I'm awfullj sorry, Doris,
for the old boys rather touchy, and it
might influence his ideas with regard
TO you anu me, ehf"
When the young people had return
ed 10 the drawing room it was very
evident that the "old boy" was dis
turbed. In vain Charlie sang his best
songs; in vain he tried to inveigle the
angry old gentleman into pleasant
conversation; in vain he exerted every
effort to show himself off to the best
possible advantage The blow had
been dealt, and it rankled in the capa-
cious waistcoat of the wealthy old
stockbroBer Pe answered his guest
in curt monosyllables; he made much
rustling with the newspaper, and
coughed inordinately during the per
Torrance of Charles songs, and
finally, when it was time for the
young man TO return downward, in
stead of offering him one of his ia
nous Antonio Carunchos, shaking his
hand heartily, and expressing a hope
to see him again soon, the old gen
tieman assumed a severe air, aud
said:
"Ahen-Mr. Ringwood, of course
-ahem-a gentleman of your refined
taste could never-ahem--thnk of
marrying a daughter of cad who
keeps a steam launchl Ahem-good
night, sir.
Charles was staggered and looked
pleadingly at Doris, who, however,
only shook her head slowly and sig.
nificantly.
There were probably few more un-
happy men that night within the
metropolitan radius than Charlie
RiHgwood as he turned slowly home
ward and ponslered that, in the terse
language of Doris, he had done for
himself.
The next morning brought him, Inc
stead of hope, a letter from his sweet
heart, which made him absolutely
miserable. 1t was as follows
Ny dearest Charlie: / have snatched
a moment to write these few lines.
Papa was in an awful rage last night
after you had gone; called you an in
solent puppy, and all sorts of things.
which should not have minded had
he not wound up by forbiddlng me to
have further communication with you,
and saying that a man who would be
ashamed of his fa,her-in-law because
he kept a steam launch was not tit
husband for his daughter. What are
To 70
Dora THORNTON.
"Ayew muttered Charlie, when he
had read the letter for the twentieth
time. What are we to dol It's Of
no use arguing with this sort Of old
fellow; once he gets a notion into ais
head no powe, on earth can drive it
1t out. | wish to goodness I'd never
said word about steam launches.
In the evening he went TO his club,
where he met with an old schoolfel-
low, Jack Raggles Now Jack Rag
giles, although continually in Difficult.
" himself, was famous for his ingenu-
lty in getting other men out of their
troubles. More than once Charlie had
been obliged to have recourse to him
for advice, and he had never regret
ted it. This was a far more serious
case than any preceding one, but
Charlie was simply desperate, and
would have chung to the maddest de-
vice suggested, as a drowning man
clutches to straw. So he got Jack
Raggles into quiet corner, and there,
over a sherry bitters, he laid the
facts of the case before him.
We'll" said Jack when Charlie
had concluded, lit certainly is an
awkward case. and it would be 2euc
ed hard lines for you to have
10 chuck up al thoughts of marrying
nice and pretty girllike Miss Thorn
ton for such tride. Bat I've got fel
lows out of far worse holes befor,
now, and ! dare say shan't fail this
time.
"4Cu are good fellow, JACK, up
on my word you are, said Charlie
enthusiastically; but, by Jove, i
you get me out Of this you'll be a gent
us.