Sword and shield. (Clinton, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1886-10-16

nInl' IodllnS oFeL IldI Cneehy DeSSdT
Sans Idee.
Had not made one in many such a
party, enjoying the expose of some
other manp
shuddered as my glance fell on my
clothes lying over chair, noting the
ludicrous contrast between my English
morning coat and the coarse flannel
shirt, with stiff collar and cuffs pinned
on; enameled leather CATERS, and tat
tered socks-they'd make good points
for Tommy's yarn. Also the hot, dus-
ty, unkept room with fragments of
breakfast among the hair brushes, etc.
knew he'd do justice to every trihe
lie was not the man to let good feeling
deprive him Of good story at the ex-
pense of his own grandmother, much
less man proved guilty of the crime of
poverty.
This was the end of my year of lying!
"Well, = REFLECTED bitterly, lit serves me
right. knew the game was not worth
the candle all the while | was sacrific-
ing self-respect ami comfort to win the
liberation of set of fippant snobs
who would now show me the shortcut
to Coventry as soon as the story got
round
Society can bear many things from
handsome young man, such as gam
bling, drinking, or running off with
other mems wives-these are amiable
weaknesses rising from good blood and
high spirits-but poverty is the. one un-
pardonable sin, and thus | knew my
day was done.
4
Two weeks later reappeared in so
ciety at a ''large and late" at Mrs.
Whirligig's. Not feeling up tot dane
ing; conscious, moreover, of decided
frostinesS in my hostess manner and
the atmosphere generally, l retired to
the conservatory and sat down behind
a pyramid of palms to discuss my fu-
ture. Should | take up Toms offer, or
here | heard voices approaching my
retreat and saw through the leaves Tom
my Prior escorting Pussy Blacksmith
and Miss Van Dyke to seat on the
other side of my retreat
Pussy, as usual, was gorgeous in a
Sandwich Island combination of garnet
and amber, her hair screwed into pile
of pretzels, diamond necklace, and
shoulder-straps apologizing for absence
of dress-waist; offering a fine contrast
to Miss Van Dyke, blonde and refined,
in a simple white gown, which, though
giving suggestions of dazzling neck
and arms, left something to the imagi-
nation.
''Drive on, Mr.. Prior" said the viva
cious Pussy. tilting her chair and COM
Portable crossing her feet. Tell Edith
what you told me"
"Well," Grawled Tommy, 'he hit his
head, you know, became insensible, and
we had to hunt in his pockets to find
his address. Found it on bill for SIC.
Four weeks lodging due. Cad! /
don't wonder he kept SO close. Used to
talk about his chambers, you know!
Pretty good that, eh! Miss Pussy?"
Il believe you," returned Pussy;
''and fancy, Edith, it was way over
near Ninth avenue in Twenty-third
street, and his collar and cuffs were
sewed on gray flannel shirt, there
was a coffee-pot on the gas, holes in his
socks, potted ham in powder-box,
and-and-O! | shall die! it's so fun
ny!'' she cried. bursting into a peal of
laughter, slapping her knee.
Funny! I'd like to have wrung her
neck.
'Yaas, amt it, SAID Tommy, SYM
pathetically. ''But. as l told the fel-
lows, the cream of the joke was to see
our precious and only Sans Idee lying
in that dirty little fourth-story hole, raw
ing about some pawnbroker who must
lend him $40 on his watch so he could
send flowers to some girl. Wonder who
she could have been?"
Don't know, I'm sure. said Pussy,
giving him wink; ''can't imagine"
'.And as | came down." resumed
Tommy, 1.-The landlady wanted to know
who'd pay her little bill if he died. All!
it was rich
Friendly little beast. Tommy, wasn't
hep
''Well, guess he'll find things COOL
so to speak, remarked Pussy. Il
know he will round me for one. like
his cheek, calling round ON US girls as
though he was gentleman. Society
ought to make an example of him."
''Why, pray?" inquired Miss Van
Dyke. HE did not pretend to be a
and certainly is a clever,
well-bred man of Il most distinguished
family"
20. bother his famiiy!' retorted Pus-
sy. who cares for family besides
lot of old frumps who call for blood, as
though they were butchers or murder
ers. What we girls want our gentle
men friends to have is money. Crusts
make poor dinner, guess. .
Pretty good that from the daughter of
an ex-hod-carrier.
You bet you do said Tommy, who
Iabored under the same disability "A
fellow ought not to sport coat-of-arms :
unless he can put it on solid gold
background.
'Allow me to disagree with you." in !;
erposed Miss Van Dyke. 'Gentle blood !,
oestows some qualities which money is :
unable to buy, even for !
members of our set. !
What? pray" said Pussy disdain- ;
ully. !
20! trifies, such as mind, heart, or E
discrimination enough not to Judge . :
nan solely by the length Of his purse" :
eturned Miss Van Dyke carelessly. :
You would not care for them" !.
7 falf 1iLa brrc4;Y1o n. %b~o,,r.l 4I,o -. "