The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-12-17
PLUCK AND LUCK.
a Story Showing How the Former
Won.

"COnfOund it - said Tom pulling resign
eddy at his cigar; from our very birth
Bingham and were always pitted against
each other, and he always won all the
points Twas always good for everything
epidemic that was going, and always whin-
ing in the contagious stage of something or
other, and my Aunt Slap Derrick, who has
got the diamonds, hated me. From four
teen to twenty was sloven, and a bear
besides Now have brains q suppose a
fellow may do justice to himself) but no
tongue power; muscle, but a low stature:
an ugly phiz, and no small-talk. likely
portrait to win woman's favor, whether
my Aunt Slap Derrick's or Mollie Miller's!
And Bingham was always what YOU see
him. You and know that he is a coward
and l should not like to say what besides
and vet catch myself believing in him
And his inevitable luck would make man
believe in fate. The very weather is in a con-
spiracy with him. The most scowIing day
brightens for him. and the fairest morning
is sure to turn to driZzle with me. 1t was
always so! And | say let him take all the
cards and end it, tossing his cigar into the
CRATE as if TO light the sacrifice.
Dayton, Toms friend, listened, smiling
He was tOlerably well used TO such conf
denceS. Besides, though Tom used the Ian
guage of defeat, there was spark of battle
III his eve. He was not the man to hang on
his aunt's lips for the Slap Derrick diamonds,
though he was ready enough to admit that
they were good things in their way. He
was the man to make stand for girl like
Mollie Miller. Just as in words he an
nounced his defeat a new resolve was kind
ling within him. And Dayton, who loved
Tom. and had something of a woman's
Instinct, was quick TO seize the propitiouS
moment.
= try l. l.
asked, reading Toms look
by Joye. will, - answered Tom.
Al the time of this conversation all the
principals of our story were together at the
Rotherhithe House. Tom, his Aunt Slap
Derrick. his cousin Bingham DAYTON and
the Miller party. and the position of these
human pawns just then was such that TOMS
- VIII needed to he potent. II was fair
sailing enough for Bingham, who, it was
understood, would succeed to the Slap Der
rick diamonds For him thorny aunts and
brambly parents discreetly stepped aside
But Tom was another pair of sleeves,
thought Mrs. Miller; while Mollie herself
thought nothing about il. It was her bust
ness to make pretty toilets, and gentlemen
might secure her smiles If they could. And
FOR the rest, she was not in love with Bing-
ham-yet-though to be very honest, she
expected to be; and why not with man
who was well-mannered and well-looking!
Nobody said TO her: MY dear YOU had
better marry the Slap Derrick diamonds"
but MOilic knew the family mind on the
subject. and was not averSe, only as yet she
felt quite a liberty to speculate, as she
sometimes did when she had nothing better
TO do, on Tom Du Coeur'S remarkable eyes,
and why one of his glanceS should make her
blush. No help here for poor Tom. YOU see.
who had moi even conceit to back him, and
certainly none from his Aunt Slap Derrick.
who could never forgive him his low stat
ure, his gypsy looks, and took delight
IN snIbbing him. Nothing but cool
auGacity-or call it pluck, if YOU like
with which to fight his cousins
good looks, and good luck, and the Slap
Derrick diamonds, worth, as we all know,
good looks and courage both together
With all these things in his favor Tom came
on IN the most encouraging manner. He
had always his Aunt Slap Derricl1's shawls,
or one of Mollie's maiden auntS on his arm
And 1t was his business to look after the
picnic baskets, and the carriages, and the
gypsy fires, and so on. while Bingham kept
the ladies in small talk. Or if he went IN
to ts.i with Mollie, be met Mrs Miller half
way, who said: 20. Mr. Du Cueur, could
yon do me a favorl have left nv shawl
Cor eye-glass, or book, as the case might bel
IN the summer-house, and am afraid of the
dew in my slippers" The shawl, or eve
glass. or book is upstairs, in Mrs. Miller's
IhlSl bureau drawer, as she knows and
Tom knows; but he goes, for all that. with
InaJ cool patience that is apt to tell in the
Tong run, though, and he gets back in time
TO see Mollie going off on Bingham's arm.
Dayton. who knew Toms worth greater.
ne thought, than the Slap Derrick diamonds,
was bitter enough over these diamond
worshippers, as be called them. But Tom
only smiled.
Il put my head down and take it. he
SAID; and, if you notice, it is those people
who do that who win in the end am quite
at ease aboutmy success, or should be, were
1t not for my feelings. Properly to manage
love affair, man should not be in love
with the lady. That is one of the first rules
OF art Now amin love, / mean-and l
can't obey the rules of art: and NV con-
founded feelings trip me. get Jealous and
sulk, and all that sort of thing; though /
know all the time that it is q mistake to
sulk when nobody cares about it. wish
were as sure that my luck would not spoil
all as that shall succeed. Laugh if you
like, but believe in presentimentS. I shalI
win. have that In me that will buy the
triumph; but as the prize is in my hand nv
luck will cross me again, and shall lose il. Is
'NOnsense!'' said Dayton. '1Stuffr'
Every good. Wait and see,n said Tom:
and in the same breath, ''Why, what is Miss
Miller about.i