The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1885-04-19

OF yelvety JacquemInots. "Hurry up, man. Christ
" But must see the address" said the small Ger
man, turning over the envelope to peer at the bold
Miss Mildred Can-no, C--a-r--Car; thatsit Car
SON."
swept the countenanccs of the other occupants OF
the small shop, as II his secret had been wrested
from him by violence; then said impatiently, "De-
spaich this by the quickest messenger you have"
YES, sir-ycs, sir" said the little man with n
nsed II as ana eiIe gre s ec ns s
address 10 make surc--"lss Camdenavcnuc. Hurry
up nowl on, you want your change, sr.n
lie thrust on the cover, made 1t fast and produced
stubby pencil, but the tall stranger had already
so at last the little florist was free TO handle the
bank note, at sight OF which. lying there on the
counter, his fingers had itched through all these
"Now you, Joe, look alvem cried the dark.
bearded customer, Joyally, on the completion of the
the money drawer, scratching his head, to rum
mage again for change, And don't let the snow
accumulate under yonr feet. Therel' he put within
the grimy hand grasping the cord connning the box
bright half dollar.
light from the end OF his toes TO the crown of light
hair am scoot gooj.'
"see that You do" cried the tail man, smiling
down at him. Somehow 1t was good to see the free
masonry between the two. Joe seemed TO reflect
that II was delicate errand on which he was being
despatched, and In his loyal little soul at once es-
poused the cause of the sender lie straghtenedup
Jinged the coin once on the counter with a sharp
Capped his POCKET ike an
on his cap, and with his box out OF the door like
Hash. rhe stranger, after the final counting out
OF the rlghtfnl amount OF change into his hand, fol-
lowed through the same exit and was lost in the
whlrl Of gay pedestrians along the pave.
His thoughts must have been pleasant, to Judge
from the ringing step, the poise OF shoulder and head
and the long, deep dranghs OF the cutting, eNhara
E Rs IT. nc o nTsw a OF YIN e Inc o S %
great interest to us. This was, "Im glad that did
not rush in upon her suddenly tonight. The letter
Joe took to the middle of the street at once after
leaving the shop and dangling the box by the cord
Knocked M against passers-by who were trying to
cross, and was more sworn at than any other boy
he made he distance in the i rst i've m mini is
churning the box up frightfully at each STEP Then
he crossed small park and came out on dead run,
aJuplter. i's enough TO make. fellow pun
his hot acG with the Of
pocket-depth; then continued:
cut over this street, Dgby, then shin It cross
and shouderng the box, his fingers well in the long
suffering cord, he struck out.
A carriage whired around the corner. Joe's eyes
elis!ened II was so near him that instnctiyey he
dark, and unenterta!nlng. What better than catch
as tired? No sooner thought than attempted. one
skifu spin sent the box snugly on, the precaution
being observed Of gripping fast with one hand to the
always landed him into the desired haven. just at
this moment the driver snapped his whip; OIL
bounded the irritated beasts, over the frozen rus
whose thin covering of snow only served to make
stumbling blocks for unwary fce. Joe, intent on
bit, but held on to the rack, Just saving himself from
fall. But he had lost the opportune moment for q
with dIsmay that not only could he not hope to md
sitting on that COACH but that he could not get the
box of. II stuck fast, N some lnexpllcable way
He gave small howl at this, but could not stop TO
think Run he must still cllnging to the rack. The
was Just before him. Hecoud never desert 1t. The
eyes of the pleasant stranger who had wanted even
s s GO nD s On lace
water-conrses; the bright silver half dollar almost
burnt q hole In his trousers pocket. 81 won't |
give-,lp-the-box,n he thought. To have spoken |
1t was impossible. Every breath was precious.
for fright. Long Dixby street was nearly traversed
At the corner he was to turn down Finn street S,
horses down Fifth, or up Fifth.
"If he only goes down" groaned the painting bow
mist gathered before his eyes. ingers
cntched tighter than ever the rackrm, and his half
frozen toes hoped and skipped over the road with
out any feeling In them. one moment Of horrid |
suspense. 1t over, and Joe. twitched of by the
dash of the horses around the corner up Fifth street.
found himself face downward In snow-tlrtt by the
curbst0ne.
for vanishing train tearing of in the darkness ut
the back of n locomotive. All the eIecthe produced
up in the vain hope of overtakng the coach, only
served TO bring to his comfort derlsve crowd of
gamins and street loafers.
"Go it, CATERS !" they screamed shrly.
"lIes got left, and they expect him home for
Christmas" said one man, with gulfaw. "oh' my
"Yon amt left are you ?"crled an urchin, sticking
his fingers In his cheek to emit an ear-spllltng YELL
ooh, no. you amt" the crowd echoed to right
and left.
Joe, wild with rage, onged to turn and fall on
them all, but must, as long as a shred of hope
manned rs to Overtakng the carriage, toll on. So he
soon left his tornentors In the rear and painted OIL
excuse of the cold blast AMI the snow scuddng |
across his face. Soothing, plunging on, tumblng,
recovering himself to pitch headlong again. the end
came at last to lind him leaning up against friendly
lamppost spent care for either the strangers
or his own Joys or woes.
bearing its outside the message of love and Joe's
broken trust, and inside the happy form OF John
himself to the one he designed for Ills Wife
"What the dence Is the fellow taking me up Fifth |
street for" said John. "Here-hold-ha say
As well signal the rushing wind in the crash Of |
breaking tree-tops and the fury of the tempest.
"Zounds-what a babel!"he ejacnated, giving 1t |
up as bad job. and sitting back restfully "Christ
mas Eve is becoming only another name for pande.
singular facility for Keeping shady. Well I'm in for
It; It's only matter of five minutes longer drive,
that's all. He'll turn at hampton street probably"
John did turn at hampton street with whirl, and
ratified along that and several little side streets till
he iourlshed out at last on the broad sweep OF CAM
"l2s" was long in appearing to the impetuous
lover within the coach, especially as he had been
lions, and not few had been acknowledged the only
one who possessed the ghost OF a chance in that |
quarter. Now that he had made up hlsmind to take |
the final step that should eject him from the ranks
of the Benedicks, he was In a perfect hurry TO bid |
them goodbye, and each minute that the driver |
spent In getting his horses over the road John Whit
man passed in tuning, pulling at his gloves, and |
caressing his mustache, so that by the time the
rlage stopped at Miss Carson's residence he was
ready SDrilU the curb and rush for the
John closed the door after him with bang The |
chilled horses started.
the third wheel against the curb. Down tumbled |
something from the back of the carriage with a
two at time, and heard nothing. The driver at |
first was disposed to jump to his box, and made |
movement 80 to do, hut Involuntary turned and |
" Here, sir" he called to Mr.. Whitman, you've |
forgotten something; though ~ be blessed" he |
muttered to himself, =" II see when you coud have |
put it on"
"i've forgotten nothing" said John, from the
Swell it's barsted boN," sail the man, cold and
tired, and not in mood for contradictions. 81
hant put y on, and 1t couldn't get on without hands.
he jerked it up with his long arm toward Mr.
81 tell you, cried Joln rrltated at any detention,
81 know nothing OF your confounded boxes. Say no |
more, but take yourself or" lie put out his hand
"Woleverll l do with III" cried the man with
puzzled look, and coming up the steps, "'tain't
yours hnu thlnl HIM. WHO'S ISL then!" nc re-
peated helpessly.
The door openedto the housemad 3 touch, flashing
the brilliant light full into the faces ana across the
troublesome piece of property in the drivers unwill-
ing hands.
"Yon scolndrei,n cried John, eXasperated beyond
measure. and turning on him, "if you say another
word about your internal boN--wly, hey"
" Miss Mildred Carson" flashed mp into his eyes,
as II written In letters of gold, "l23 Camden ave-
nue. where the deuce!"
"'Taint mine,n said Jehu, more helpessly than
ever, as he saw that his good customer was angry,
"Wotll do with it?" Including In his wretched |
glance the smiling face OF the housemad, who with |
outward Difference was holding the door ajar.
A foot sounded on the stairs.
"Close the door, Hannah. Oh! II Is you, Mr..
Whitman"
Like the gentle, little, high-bred lady that she was,
she did not hurt the feelings OF the rough man. OF
~" had caught GLIMPSE by telling what her
thought had heen, taat II was an Intoxicated tramp
or beggar making trouble for the housemaid. She
laughed with quiet amusement us she saw John and
mOtoned him In.
sits for you" he SAID, In his astonshment having
grasped the boX, ana he thrust II toward her as he
passed through the yeslibue.
The hackman rapidly boiled, SO that, as Mr.. Whit
man turned to call him In for farther explanations,
he had the satisfaction Of hearing the coach rattle
down the avenue at the smartest of PAGES.
" For NEE" repeated Miss Carson IN pretty sur