Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-03-23
4fs,sfeilanenus.
AFortunate Mistake.

Princess Strainervoyce. who at thas ume
attracted the fashionable world to her con
certs. went TO hear the princess partly
tn kill time and partly from desire To
eae and hear for myself the marvellous
foreigner whose name was in everybody s
month When | reached her majesty e
concert room it was crowded TO its utmost
canacity. II was so closely wedged that
one conld have studied anatomy. after a
fashion. merely from the impression OF
ones neghbor's bones. At the close q
the concert | was borne along with the
crowd, and jammed through the doorway
at the risk of breaking every rib in my
body. Ere could escape from the throng.
and while was Struggling my shoulders
TO assure myself that my colar-bone was
in its proper position, felt hand clasp
inc NV arm, and musical voice eX'
claimed:
You good for nothing! l thought |
had lost YOU! What a frigntful crush
do believe nv arm is broken. and my
dress ruined. and all for the sake of hear
ing this Stralnervoyce
| was on the point of replying that
agreed with her. but restrained myself,
| laughing inwardly at the novel position
in which | was placed. and wondering
who nv fair companion could be. Evil
IDENTIFY she mis,ook me for her brother, or.
possibly. her husband. judging from the
familiarity OF her manner, for she added,
in sympathizing tone:
Forgive me. Ralph-your poor head
l am sorry made you come"
Pardon me, madame" said /; but
"Oh, nonsense, Ralph !" she interrupted
me. You have become half barbarian
since you went to the Crimea, to permit
me to seat myself. while you stand there as
if were your wife, and you ten years mar
ried, instead of your sister, whose ready
assistant and attendant-in place of bet
ter-you should be-"
Excuse me-" said |, "but-"
"Ralph, shall catch my death OF cold
standing here, such long ride, too"
Here the lady gave peculiar SILVER. "Do
jump in and sit down, or | will"
What she would have done | did not
wait to hear; but. taking my place beside
her in the brougham. we were driven off,
| whittier knew not where
II won't ask you to talk to me, with
that headache, but want you to listen to
we started. II wanted to talk to you
coming in. but that little chatterbox, Mag.
gle, prevented me from saying word
to you. You remember poor little Lucy
Walters. Ralph. Her mother died abou,
two months ago, and the poor girl has
gone to live with the Deans. Mr.. and
Mrs. Dean have been very kind to her
but it is impossible for them to more than
shelter her. How anyone can have the
heart to wound Lucy's feelings is a mvs.
terry to me, and yet every occasion that
presents itself is seized upon by the
Wares and Kings to insult her, even
commenting upon the poor girls fathers
actions. as if she could have prevented
that which occurred twenty years ago
and have seen Sarah Ware initiating her
walk, regardless of poor Lucy's tears,
could not restrain an exclamation OF
disgust as listened to this
81 knew it would disgust you. Ralph
continued my companion. "Well. the
doctor says now, that Lucy will always be
| lame-there can nothing be done for her
have been thinking ever since her moth.
er died, that if she had a good teacher she
might not only in time be independent
should see some of her attempts She is
a genius, Ralph. But that would require
money, and where is the money to come
from9 You know haven't much. Ralph
but have determined to do something for
our old play mate. can save out of my
! allowance at least thirty pounds. and now
| if you will double it, what will that moi
do for Lucy? Twas counting It ur, the
| other dav. and if am rnr"'t u viii ena-
Vie her Ia attend th, >rN' q in design and
AK" p'lv4j" l">-.i IA AT iOr a year; and
~ the end Of that time. if Lucy is alive
she will show the world what woman
can do. When look at that poor girl,
with her rare mind and her craving fol
knowledge, cannot help thinking how
superior she is to me-a mere lder: and
| sometimes think that if she had my place
and hers, there would be more Justice in
the distribution of the worlds goods and
comforts. Don't say I'm silly and senti
mental, Ralph. | know you will give
your share toward the sum. like a good
brother, as you are. have been talking
to her about if, and know can manage
it 80 as to override any scruples she may
have against receiving anything from u.s.
Here my companion became quiet, and
the question presented itself to my mind
How am to escape from this awkward
position. honorably9 Here have been
guilty Of listening to communication in.
tended for the ear of another-have beer
guilty of an Inexcusable deception prac
ticed upon stranger and lady, know
lngly. Perhaps the honest way would be
to acquaint her at one with the mistake
and solicit her pardon
had at last summoned sufficient cour
age to clear my throat, and was about tc
commence nv well.studied speech. wher
my companion gave little laugh as she
said
Really. Ralph. you are very entertain
ing in your own peculiar way, but if vol
are as dumb when in the presence of Mis-,
Vernon as you have been tonight she i,
to be pitied rather than envied. You ar,
little better than a barbarian But her,
we are at uncle's, and you know prom
ised to stop with Carrie tonight so vo,
will have no one to bother you the re
mainder of the road. How singular yo,
do act tonight, Ralph, Well, won
tease YOU any more"
Suddenly the driver drew up before al
elegant residence, and imagining | per
ceived a loop-hole whereby | might es
cape from my awkward predicament.
sprang out of the brougham and assiste,