The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-01
lam PUNCHIN's FIRST NEW YEARS CALL

EternfE,r -
appes k5itten for the journal by Rose g. Bailey.
u 1ae little sign one of the narrow streets of
NJ city was beginning to attract attention.
4 de no longer passed it by in complete indif-
es >3ace. Old farmers on their way from the
Etats earket place to cheap dinner down the street
their companions they passed, with,
Tor sd There's the sign of that Punchin fellow. who
enas, eared Merkins L tell you he g darn smart
they're all pack of rogues anyway, bat darn II
the Ne can't clear them"
as 81 Mothers with tear.staned faces and trembling
Eer 18th excitement watched for the faded gilt
viciub tters Sam Puncnin, Attorney at Law" as
Pad obey turned from the main thoroughfare in
% pest of the one hope that lay between their
fiminal sons and the penitentiary. In business
frcles the name beginning to be well
be. Known, and dreaded if on the opposing side.
Even Sam Punchin himself began to glance at
Fcons pc sign on his nervous hurried walk from his
Wezh eals, and wonder if around it's battered out
ines there would yet be hung wreath of lau-
Rn akla
90 Sam Punchia had his allies The sensible.
b, frdpbstantal citizen his friend by right OF
bngeniality. Dapper young society lawyers,
kho, if the truth be known, took moro interest
Tbo,h "Hoyles Book Games" the german and
banks modes than in the profound depths of Black
Indekone found him an excellent companion. Their
~ rofession, too, demanded reliable companion
rk whip, and it was the easiest thing in the world
lay pr them to get hint here and there on legal
hatters from thu wellstored mind of their studi-
unat 1ns friend
end Then, again, Pr.nchin kept frst-class brand
cigars His Office was his home, and oil
on bld winter night it was about as comfortable a
| ace as one could lounge in The host was free
parted, even conviyial, on stormy nights and
~ pSsn the sttaet shoTt Issuance the fancy bev-
fages OF the season were served to perfection
ghen society had demanded the last farthine
som of her subjects for box at the opera,
b bouquet or De Joinville neektie there could
found no truer, better friend than Sam
unchin. Moreover, he considerable. He
hw, with the clear vision of one who knows,
pat many Of his legal associates would never
bach the acme of their professional ambition;
lt he never Jared their feelings by advising
IA hem to turn dancing-master or enter into msr-
NJ Rntile pursuits.
b $50 it happened that just about Christmas, as
larry De Neville sat tilted back in comtorta-
e position in Punchin's Office, he exclaimed:
Sam. you're a success IN law; why don't you
f Ike up societyl"
I 81 And the answer came in candid response:
~ From the fact have never thought of it,
ara kSam's experience with women had been linn
5ed. His mother had blessed his baby head
18th her dying breath, and had laid him in the
oIA pms of her widowed and childless aunt, who
81 I'D composed his feminine world up to the
inc he had entered college There he had
"a #orked his way from janitor to assistant teach
~ until going to read law with an old fossil
lend of his grandfather. His clients had
anghters-bright, sunny creatures who passed
ia with a smile and nod and produced upo n
im very much the same effect as did the haxen-
~alred dolls IN the shop windows.
Suppose we try New Year calls together"
Now, Sam Punchin worldly man in his
May. He could meet men from the highest to
E Relowest degree and sustain calm. intelligent
eportment The whirl of the gay, bright non
nalant, fashionable world--of love, music and
overs, was as foreign and unknown to him as
pc celestial realms to creatures of this mundane
phere. He could not therefore, understand
bat to be man woman of fashion requires
Ms strict routine as that of profession So
nth one long. thoughtful Whit of his meer-
- ehaum, he replied Agreed; l believe I'll try
A smile erept over the faded lips of his blase
n PEND, as he thought of the gaunt figure with its
saorance of social code and the gauntlet to be
Ins pa IN drawingroom blazing with lights and
NE almonds but he thought to himself hes worth
~ WhotS crowd" and taxing Up his overcoat,
departed with the injunction, Don't back
Sam Punchins mind was not disturbed by his
somise until the following morning, when. in
boxing down the column of daily his eve
truck the following timely advice:
20 The proper costume for New Years calls is q
'rlnce Albert coat with dark trousers high hat
an and ioinvie scarf in light colors. GGloves in
back are ;r,err tnts, heavily stitched upon the
#raIl ,,io.s - persse-s To be we'll bootaa apd
~ is2 49, - - 10 be weli-dressed Ne ,,an x;.l
49, sn ias knowledge of propr;etv 49, Sa.r'
~ ie 1 visits ma dress coat pays Gay
toau ~ oarefuily over tvviee ana A. a.,
pg PAR OF scissors cut il fro t aao zen tax
SEQ ~ with precision ON tha ,s sst paper ano
Eau dusty scrap boob. which he5 ~ pasa OF
notiees of some of hisbest efforts q natter
I'm that moment he was troubled WIKI
aole dread One one blythe reo,ie;ta az. n
tune were purchased and Nav Vs. ss.iclss Oh
- "ere spread upon his bed in state II q =, 60 80
,e 90 dreadful thing to don he muttaraS
snapeioey. Then, too Neville WORT see !, :, =
taer. Ills friend. per arrangement was = -
80 designated hour, in carriage ana 81
ratified up to his door he dashad 49, -
~ and was seated amidst ito e,,sh; ~ y q
teallzed he was alone -
Here you driver. Where is the gen.
M ~ was to nave come with YOUR
sou on business, sir. Will meet Won at
number on the list So he was alone
"a, niled with suggestion OF rain
through the bare trees in the mark and
s0lten what few patches ef snow were