Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1886-06-11
A MIND OF HIS OWN.

Concerning Brown, it was said that he
dever saw pretty face without falling in
love with it. He certainly was of sus-
ceptlbe nature, but he had so much time
on his hands and so much money which
DE considered it incumbent on him to
spend, that he had to do something. AS
de had neither wit nor industry enough
10 take to trade or sport, he took to fall
ing in love, and in his drowsy and easy
going way did his best to do his self
imposed vocation justice.
One day, after he had carried his fas-
tinating employment on ten years or so,
and wasted fortune on bonbons and
opera boxes, diamonds and lap dogs,
lawn parties and banluets, his friend
Robinson suggested it was about time he
got married. Brown had great regard
tor Robinson for several reasons, One
was that they belonged to the same club,
and perhaps, still more because Robinson
0wed him money. Robinson had the
tastes of prince and the income Of
parasite. Browns ready good nature
and plethoric bank account represented
al of this income but couple of thou
sand dollars year, the rent of house
an eccentric old aunt had left her pet
nephew in trust, for fear he would
squander the principal if it was given to
him. Robinson had reason to bless the
foresight of his venerable benefactor
after he finished his share of Robinson
Seniors estate. 1t provided him, at any
rate, with club dues and pocket money,
and chance and ready wit supplied the
rest-that is to say, they supplied him
with Brown, and for ten years Brown
fulfilled the rest of the contract.
$50 you think ought to get married.
eh?'' said Brown.
"Ycu ought" returned Robinson, de-
cisively; Its too bad. You're frittering
yourself away like raw member, and
I'll swear there are gray hairs in your
mustache."
"Well," said Brown, "perhaps you're
right. Put who is she2"
Didn't you meet my 81 ter when you
were at Naples last winters" demanded
| Robinson.
"Oh!" retorted his friend. "She e--''
"She's the best and purest girl alive" "
cried Robinson, with sudden an nation,
dealing the table blow with his open
palm.
"Well, who the deuce said she
wasa'tI" asked Brown, calmly Il was
going to say she wouldn't have me-.
my dear boy" said Robinson, draw
ing his chair closer, and patting his knee
in friendly confidence, "you're wrong"
"No, said Brown, incrcdulously.
81 tell you yes" insisted Robinson.
'Tho poor girl adores you. She has
written to me a dozen tim s, and made
me- promise never to give it away to you.
/ am breaking my word, but can't help
It. Friendship, dear boy"
'Bobby," said Brown, getting up,
"you're good fellow. I'll think of it. y
They went out together. AS they
parted at the first corner Robinson,
having some special business and Brown
an engagement at the Casino, the former
borrowed spare fifty from his friend.
While Brown was bowling uptown in q
hanson, Robinson was in the Office of the
Commercial Cable company writing the
following dispatch, which he paid for
out of the clean, crisp note which had
not grown warm in his hand:
Miss Louise Robinson, Hotel Ragossy
Paris, France: Come home at once. Brown
and wedding bells are ready. FRED.
1t was gray morning when Browns cat.
footed valet pulled his masters boots off
Invested in his night-robe Brown dis
missed his attendant His head was hot
and the bed looked warm. He opened
the window and looked into the mist
Then he closed it and lighted cigar
from stand on the mantel, went to his
desk, and from one of its compartments