The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-10-20
"What a snob I am! To Fart with
dod5u', vofch for q cuit ne old rlotb 40 ~


daddy's watch for q suit Of old clothos!"
But the next moment he thought that
he could pawn it. He wonld soon have
it back. Save the money, or earn it
somehow.
1t was not US if he were yielding to q
vicious temptation ofthc town-gambling
or drinking. The society of these high
bred people would elevate, educate him.
There was tap at the door, and Mitch
ener came in.
mo. can't sit down; I'm in hurry.
Brought message from my mother. She
would like to have yoI join an opera
party to night. Eight or ten young
people. Meet at our house, box at the
opera, and back to supper afterward.
You'll come? That's right. Good
morning"
No! no! Stay. Mr.. Nlitchenerp His
commor- sense suddenly rose strong and
clear. 81 ought not to begin this life.
It's your life, not mine. I'm poor man.
have four years of hard work here be-
fore me, and after that my living to earn.
Even the hour at your house yesterday
ruinel me for study to-day"
"Well! we'll" said Jourdan, carele essly.
''Don't be 80 vehement about it. Going
once to the opera will not make you 4
man of fashion for life. Think it over,
and come. Give the college the go-by
for day.
''Oh, by the way!" he added, color;ng
a little. "Can be of pecuniary service
to you, Kershaw? No, don't be offended.
l have more of the filthy lucre than l
know what to do with. The fact is, l
was Just going to buy terrier that I
don't want. Now, if l could lend the
money to you, it would lie real pleasure
to me-"
':Thank you" Kcrshaw stammered,
touched, yet angry. Il do tnced any
money. l have everything l need
clothes and ALL" lie added, with gulp.
"Now am in for itm he groaned,
when Kitchener was gone. IF don't
60 to their party, they'll think had no
clothes tit to wear. The watch has to
gow
He paced the floor. one minute blaming
himself for snob, the next thr. lied with
delight at the thought of the evenings
pleasure His books lay neglected all
day. He could not quiet the raging
whirl and confusion in his mind enough
to think of st dy.
He decided on nothing until nearly
dark, when he rushed out, pawned the
watch for one-fourth its value, and
bought the evening suit. There was not
money enough left to buy the shoes,
gloves, etc., necessary to complete the
dress. When he was ready to go, even
his inexperienced eye could see that his
costume did not set on him as if it were
made for him.
But what matter? His friends-his
welcome-thc music. Who would care
what clothes he wore?
Arrived at Mrs. AIitchener's, he id not
find himself at all ut case. That lady
was quite occupied with her duties as
hostess, and received him with careless
civilty, giving her attention to her other
guests. They talked of people and things
of which he knew nothing. The tall,
awkward lad, his hair cascfully oiled and
parted, his red hands protruding from his
Short coat-sleeves, sat silent, and felt
thoroughly miserable and out OF place.
Now aud then he thought he saw one of
the dainty women near by scanning him
with furtlvc g'ances.
They drove to the opera-house and en-
tered one of the proscenium boxes.
David had seat at the back, where he
could catch but an occasional glimpse of
the stage and the brilliant audience. He
had been the leader of the choir at home,
and fond of the waltzcs and marches
which his sister played on the old piano,
and fancicd himself connoisseur in
music. But he was not educated to un-
derstard this music.
A very pretty, Aighty young lady, Mrs.
Bellcw. who was the chaperone of the
party, tried politely to make him talk to
her, but in vain She turned to Jourdan
at last with shrug OF her bare shoul-
der%.
"Your friend, she whispered, "seems
to be absorbed by his own thoughts. lie
does not look as if he were enjoying
himself. Who is he"
.'One Of my mothers last hobbies; o
student in the college from the coun-
try" he replied. in the same tone.
They tur:ed to the stage. Kershaw
saw their smiles, and knew they were
talking of him. His brain was on fire.
Why had he come here2 Was he not the
equal of these dainty folk, as well-born,
as virtuous, as clever, as they? They
dared to despisc him because he was
awkward and ill-dressed
In his embarrassment and misery he
thrust his hand into the breast-pocket of
his coat, and drew out little painted
paper tablet, which he fingered mcchan
ically, scarcely noticing what it was un-
til he saw Mrs. Bellows eyes fixed on it
with amazement and suspicion. When
the curtain fell on the first act, she came
back to him, making some incoherent
remarks about the play, while she looked
at him ktenly. Suddenly she grew pale,
and interrupting herself in the middle OF
a sentence, said to Kcrshaw: :'Will you
be good enough at the close Of the next
act to 90 with me and Mr.. Kitchener into
the anterosm2 I would like to speak
with you
When they had reached the antcroom
at the close of the act, she said: 81 have
a most disagrceable quest on to ask. Mr..
Kershaw. Our house was robbed by
burglars last Monday, and silver and jew.
elry and clothes were taken. Among
the rest was an evening sait of my hus
bands. You have it on"
"Aren't you mistaken, Mrs. Bellew?'
said Young Mitchener Zone dress suit
is exactly like another, and
"My husband she went on, excitedly,
"wore it to ball the night before it was