The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-07-30
ellanenms.
MY IMITATION WIFE.

ing to leave, when mother came in.
Going out, are you, Tom?" said she.
Yes, ma'am."
"Where, TO another partym
Eyes, maam."
THAT makes three this week, doesn't it,
Tom ?"
Eyes, maam. We're hurrying to get
through. Coin to take Miss Beaufort tonight
and then Pm done with the Jolly Clubs par
ties"
Mother, somehow or other, did not seem
to think very much of what | said.
Tom, wish you would get married" she
said, with troubled face. II believe you
would stay at home some."
"Well, am awful tired, mother, and com
pletely worn out"
"Then why don't you quit it ?"
"Best reasons in the world, mother. | am
neither engaged nor in love, but I'm willing
to be-"
1t was getting late, so l started after this,
but the look on mothers face set me to think
ing.
My mother is the best woman in the world,
even if | do say it myself, and felt worried
about her.
She was right l was out nearly every
evening. This evening at a reception, next
time ball, then theatre party and so on
OF course could afford it, for my salary as
cashier at Harris was liberal one.
But
| wasn't saving a cent, and my own home
folks never saw me except at the table. Even
poor, old, patient mother was complaining.
But | was having lots of fun. There was
that Beaufort girl. She was fine one
Could dance any kind, talk about anything
you wanted, and make you haye the finest
time in the world. Then there was Vene
Wright She would take in the baseball with
a fellow, go rowing, skating, anything for
fun.
Then Vene had money That was an i'm
portant item.
Why shouldn't l tackle Miss V ene on the
subject of matrimony.
"Thomas, old son" said to myself, "Vene
is the one"
But Vene, somehow or other, did not exact
ly suit the case, and my mind reverted to
Miss Beaufort. Miss Beaufort was smart,
pretty, stylish and suited better, but | knew
nothing about her financial standing. This
was an important matter to me in those
days.
Meanwhile the coupe had neared Miss Beau
forts. l had never been there before, and to
my surprise found it to be u very unpreten-
tious house.
confess l was disappointed. Iexpected
to drive up to an elegant mansion, be ushered
into fine reception room with servants in
livery, and there await the coming of Miss
Beaufort.
Then expected to make n bold dash for
Miss Beaufort's heart-propose, and possibly
be accepted or declined by the time the party
was over. But not so.
A little lady with gray hair opened the
door, and she was introduced to me by Miss
Beaufort as mamma. Miss Beaufort was
ready and waiting, so we walked out to the
coupe.
"Dlr. Silver" said she, don't you think
there is great amount of snobbery in soce-
ty, and lots of downright foolishness? ?"
"Well, yes" said l.
For instance" said she, "hcre is an Gle
giant coupe that you have brought for me,
and yet the party is only two blocks away"
This certainly was very refreshing. had
actually squandered five dollars to have the
coupe for the evening, and she did not even
so much as notice it. l knew Vene would
have enjoyed a ride in it.
"Mr. Silver" said she to me- again, "this is
the last party am going to this winter"
"Well, why?" said l. Aren't you going
to take in tho German Club ball and the
others ?"
mo, sue Salu. mamma hasn't the
money she can't afford it,"
"Mr. Silver" she continued, team you
afford to spend 50 much money on society P"
| looked at her. There was honesty fairly
shining out of her pretty black eyes, even If
she wasn't very polite. So / answered her
honestly.
mo, Miss Beaufort, | cannot! haven't
saved cent this winter, and / get big sal
AIRY, too"
"Well," said she, II have met you so fire.
quently. l feel quite well acquainted with
you, and expect have been a little i'm
polite"
NO" said I. II am glad that you take
that much interest in me-"
Then we changed the subject. I had a
splendid time at the party, and enjoyed Miss
Beauforts company very much | found her
level-headed and bright, if she was TOO frank
Next day told mother about it. She said
that she admired Miss Beaufort for her COM
mon sense if she hadn't seen her. Then she
referred to my getting married again.
suppose" said she, ."you pretend for a
week or so that you are married, and see how
it goes
"Why not?' said she II will write the
name of young lady ON card, seal it in an
CufClOpC, anu 1Ou Ouu iOCh IL III yOul utShs
Then let US suppose that you are married to
her say for two weeks. During that time
l want you to act just as if the lady were
in person, and your lawfully welded wife,"
"Whose name are you going to write on
the card" said I. r..
"Never mind" said she. II will write my
preference, and neither OF us will breathe
word about this to a living soul"
We agreed on this. Mother wrote the name
on the card and sealed it in an envelope. I
knew it was Vene Wright's name, SO decid-
ed to imgdne that Vene was there in person,
and so we started out the week.
Monday night came. That was the night
of the Bachelors German, but staid home
and talked to mother. Then played euchre
with her for while, and we managed to
have a very enjoyable evening.
Next morning mother met me at the table
with smiles, and about the best breakfast |
had eaten in long while.
"You must imagine that your wife saw to
this breakfast" she whispered.
Going up ON the street car that morning,
who should get on but Miss Beaufort. bow
ed to her gracefully, deposited her fare in the
nickel box, and was about to sit down by
her when l happened 10 think of my imita-
ton wife at home, and walked to the rear of
the car.
married men have no business talking to
ladies'" said to myself Miss Beaufort look
nd OF mo thor oupnrlu hut aaf1 nnthin0 a,,d