The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-05-19

DERBY couple Of good family and fortune, Doc
little by name, lived in the neighborhood;
and these having but one child son who
would inherit n large estate, decided 10 give
him a profession that he might escape the
dangers Of an unemployed youth He was
sent into the array, and WAS at present upon
leave
EgeTton Dooiittle was a tall young man.
slim, with light hair and a Hsping speech
His attractions, IL he had any, we're neither
Of BODY nor OF mind; for as 70 the body he
was feeble in gait with long legs Of made
quate thickness, and be was destitute OF eve
brows The utmost assi,iuity also failed to
bring out a Inustacige, although he used ca
pillary fluids Of appalling strength. Iighav
judging that Tor man with a military career
before him certain amount Of hair on the
face IS as essential IS uniform or a sword.
His mind was Of a similar patterll-xeak. ry-
clnlng and inane; IN a word. he had drawn
the line between sanity and imbeciliry with
most battling nicely. he walked with his
head little on one side, dressed in the top Of
the fashion, wore as many different suits as
there are hours in the day, lost money mildly
at cards, and came TO church regularly every
Sunday morning, saying his prayers cut of a
book the size OF a sixpence. He had a credit
aba desire TO read only such publications as
were likely 70 improve his mind. and he al
ways inquired Il 4 work was erroneous or
not, saying that he was afraid lest lie might
be led into the perusal Of something erroneous.
and might never find It out He admired
women and adored eleveruess, frankly con.
fessing that ne had none of his own. and
thought It such a useful thing, You know
Indeed, he might have set for the immortal
Mr. Toots, with whom he had SO much in com
mon ,lsat 7 fear readers may think Egerton
Ia =..sfr- .frar r-reF- ~
noodles But Egerton IS a man by himself,
in spite of a resemblance which fairly srg-
gests that be is no more than reflection.
He met Car Temple at ball and danced
with her, and the young lady, true 10 herself.
inquired, in one Of the pauses of the dance, if
he had read AlhSons History of Europe
Doolittle, whose weakness was not historical
study, was able, with tolerable readiness, to
assure her that he had not. He then sank
into silence, that this part of the conversation
might settle into his mind. Presently he In
auired:
is that work you spoke of just now a very
big work."
"Very tig,T she answered
"Nore than one Vo,umeF' hc asked, re
solved not to let the talk flag.
"One volume!' replied Caroline "Adozen,
dareSay.'
"A dozeni' exclaimed Doolittle. He was
80 overwhelmed by this statement that he
lid not alter a muscle of his face nor emit
syllable for full five minutes Then he
began again
You haven't read it. have your
"Oh, dear, yes" Caroline replied, with the
confidence of a practised student
"TEe whole dozen volumesf inquired
Doolittle, who could scarcely believe his
ears.
"The whole dozen volumes" Caroline an
swerei repeating his words with not un-
graceful playfulness.
Then you must be a tremendo usly clever
girl, he said, gazing at her with profound
admiration end awe
"Clever, because / have read twelve vol
uneSi' cried Caroline, who had a sprightly
wit, Il shall read twelve hundred, and ses
what YOU say then
No." Egerton said gravely; "you viii not
read twelve hundred volumes, l am sure
Egerton meditated for another few minutes
Then he asked:
rs it an erroneous workg'
Thoroughly" Car replied, with decision
She was a Radical
Don't you think It dangerous to read
erroneous worksf'
Don't know Car answered. "Not very"
She tossed her head with mixture of laugh
ter and light scorn.
"If were to read twelve volumes of an
erroneous work 1 should be quite upset"
Egerton said, as if he were talking of lobster
salal Upset for weeks, But you are tremen-
dously strong and you know it-in mind, /
mean"