The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1885-10-01
AN OLD MANS DARLING.

A particular friend ct mine tells a
very amusing story Of little adven-
ture he had returning from Tyne
mouth to Newcastle. He is dash
ing sort of fellow, good-looking, a
perfect dresser, and up to all sorts Of
fun He had been helping entertain
a visitor at the club on Saturday
night, and on Sunday took run down
to Tynemouth for a dip-a sort of re-
viver, as it were. He says the salt
water sea breeze at Tynemouth makes
splendid tonic after protracted sit.
ting in room where the only current
Of air is made by the fight of cham
pagne corks through the smoke.
It was an unusually dull day at
this northern watering-place. The
pretty harmaids who are usually ON
the promenade, between the noon
closing and the 6 o'clock reopening
were not out in large numbers ON this
particular afternoon. The sands were
almost deserted and the ugly bathing
machines were tenantess. There
wasn't even the satisfaction of seeing
barefooted children chasing the re-
treating surf. So after having had
plunge, good swim, and sharp
walk down to Cullercoats and back,
my friend, whom ] will call--well, say
Algernon, went to the Grand, smoked
cigarette or two, and absorbed, as he
designated it "a good stiff B. and S."
which he Afterwards translated to me
as six penny worth of brandy in a
small bottle Of soda.
That seemed to do him good, and
MS there was no one to be seen from
the bow window of the Grand's smoke
room-which, if / may judge from
passing in front Of it, must command
q splendid view OF the long curved
beach, the old ruin, the pier and the
vast stretch OF ocean beyond the cliffs
he decided to take the FOURTEEN
train back to Newcastle, and look up
his companions of the night--or rather
Of the early morning.
Algy had been the life of the COM
pany the night before. His fund Of
stories was inexhaustible; they were
short, always had point, and were
told SO that the point was made
When Algy told story there was nc
forced laughter, no murmur. "Ah
yes, very good, very good,' and ar
immediate resumption Of general con
versation He could sing good song
sing it well, and sing just enough O
II. He was q good general talker too
and was in excellent humor that Sat
urday night and the more the cork
popped, the brighter he waxed, unit
finally every one yielded him TIN
floor and he entertained them all righ
royalty. Never was he 80 witty, neve
were his stories SO piquant, never hi
songs 50 effective.
But, somehow, the next day wa
not altogether so pleasant. Their
was sort Of q "don't care-a-rap-foi
anything feeling. His head didn'
actually ache, but there was not tn
usual Sunday afternoon elearnes
and lightness He had eaten but yer
little--a bit Of dry toast, dipped i
strong ten, and soft-boiled egg-yt
there was kind OF q gnawing sens:
ton in tho region OF the lower wais
coat button as though he had cate
very substantial meal of very ind
gestible stuff. He had tired, lal
guild feeling that his bath, his walk
the sea breeze, his cigarette, and eve
the B, and s. could dot dispel.
sapntering listlessly down TO II
station, not caring particularly whetl
er he went to Newcastle OF to Edil
bnrgh, he bought ticket and Wake
along the train pill he saw frst-cla
compartment with no occupant, Th
he entered, and shut the door. i
chose . nop-smoking compartment
Possibly he wanted to commune wit
bis own thoughts or perhaps
thought the fumes Of m old pipe, sut
as Britons usually smoke when trav,
Ing, would not be agreeable to a SCI
siiIve organization such as his on Il
particular Sunday afternoon.
The ticket collector shut The ga
with a slam, and the guard blew t
whistle; then the gate quickly sh
again; there was an excited exclan
ton
aHeras one, Chaglesi g9od:hI
aeSt Thursday, mind good bye
And he oarriage door was slamm
to and locked as the train moved
and to his infinite disgust, almost
iorehe could realize it all, Algy fou
himself face to face with very mu