Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-01-28
Gales aud Sketthes.
LUCKY ACCIDENT.

self this time :" said pretty Doris Thorn
ton to her adorer. Charlie Ringwood of
Chalkshire regiment, as they were sitting
together after dinner in the conservatory
attached to the pleasant riverside villa be-
longing to Doris's father, Mr.. Thomas
Thornton of the stock exchange.
'Why-how, Doris ?" asked the young
man.
by speaking as you did at dinner
against steam launches, and saying that
the men who owned them and used them
were cads,' replied Doris. "Papa's Just
bought one, and, next TO his fishing. has
made it his great hobby"
"By Jove that's unlucky, said Charlie.
Now what's to be done' It's no use my
going and telling him was only chatting,
because spoke 80 straight"
II don't know, am sure" said Doris,
seriously. "You could hardly have made
a more unfortunate mistake. for papa con-
siders the real cads to be those who growl
because others like to move fast without
any trouble to themselves"
''On a crowded river, washing away
banks and kicking up no end of dirt and
noise" continued the young officer
well, lam awfully sorry. Doris. for the
old boys rather touchy. and it might in.
fluence his ideas with regard to you and
me, eh ?"
When the young people had returned
to the drawing room it was very evident
that the "old boy" was disturbed In vain
Charlie sang his best songs; in vain he
tried to inveigle the 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 ranked the capacious
wastcoat of the wealthy old stockbroker
He answered his guest in curt monosvlla.
bles he made much rustling with the
newspaper, and coughed inordinately dur.
ing the performance of Charities songs
and finally, when it was time for the Young
man to return downward, instead of offer
ing him one of his famous Antonio
Carunchos, shaking his hand heartily .anC
expressing hope to see him again soon
the old gentleman assumed severe all
and said;
"Ahem-Mr. Ringwood, of cours--
ahem-a gentleman of your refined taste
could -ahem-think of marrying 6
daughter of cad who keeps steam
launch! Ahem-good night, sir''
Charlie was staggered and looked plead
ingly at Doris. who. however, only shooE
her head slowly and Significantly.
There were probably few more unhap
pay men that night within the metropoli
tan radius than Charlie Ringwood as he
turned slowly hOmewards and ponderet
that. in the terse language of Doris, he
had done tor himself.
| The next morning brought him. instead
of hope, letter from his sweetheart
which made him absolutely miserable
1t was as follows:
My dearest Charlie: have snatched ,
moment to write these few lines. Paps
was in an awful rage last night after y0r
had gone; called you an insolent puppy
and all sorts of things, which should no
have minded had he not wound up by for
bidding me to have further communication
with YOU, and saying that man who
would be ashamed of his father-n-aw be
cause he kept steam launch was not fl
husband for his daughter. What are We
to dop
Ever your affectionate
DORIS THORNTON.
"Ayem muttered Charlie, when he ha(
read the letter for the twentieth time
what are we to dop It's no use arguing
with this sort of old fellow; once he get.
a notion into his head no power on eartt
can drive it out. | wish to goodness I'd
never said a word about steam launches. >
In the evening he went to his clut
where he met an old schoolfellow, Jack
Raggles. Now Jack Raggles. although
continually in difficulty himself, was ia
nous for his ingenuity 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 re
GREETED it. This was far more serious
case than any preceding one. but Charlie
was simply desperate, and would have
chung to the maddest device suggested as
a drowning man clutches a straw. SO he
got Jack Raggles into quiet corner, and
there. over a sherry and bitters, he lat
the facts of the case before him.
WELL" said Jack. when Charlie haC
concluded, sit certainly is an awkward
case, and it would be deuced hard lines
for you to have to chuck up all thoughts OF
marrying nice and pretty girl like Miss
Thornton, for such tritle. But I've GO
fellows out of far worse holes before now
and dare say shan't fail this time"
"You are a good fellow. Jack, upon my
word you are" said Charlie. enthusiast
cally; "but by Jove, if you get me out of
this you'll be genius"
Jack was silent tor Il few moments, and
pulled vigorously at his cigar. At length
he added, II say Charlie, isn't the old man
a regular maniac for fishingp"
Rather" replied Charlie. HE takes
a holiday about three times a week on pur-
pose to fish He starts off after breakfast
with a big hamper and jar of beer. and
he sits in punt until evening. Still. now
he's got this wretehed steam launch. | ex
pect he will off with the old love, and or
with the new, But what has fishing to dc
with the subject in handp"
Never you mind just now." answered
his friend. "but you find out from Miss
! Thornton when her father next intends tc
90 out in his punt. and where he is likely
TO be. and send me telegram to Charges
street; and | will tell you what do"
Charlie had such implicit faith in Jack
Raggles' ingenuity that he went home tina,
evening in a comparatively happy frame
of mind
He wrote to Doris the first thing next
morning, and in the evening got reply
to the effect that Mr.. Thornton was already
making preparations for a long days fish.
ing upon the Wednesday following He
telegraphed Immediately to Jack Raggles,
and racaivad tho follnuinCr ro,lv.