The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-03-24

to be the basis of the test. SpriGgs
reasoned that the chances against the
sequence were about two to one.
for, according to his observations, in
the ordinary days run, there were
twice as many red-haired girls as white
horses. This. of course, did not allow
for unusual occurrences or for night
travel, when there were fewer horses
on the street. At the end of the first
week the result was: Failures, one; YER
4, ifications, forty-eight. Spriggs did not
quite believe in the thing yet, but the
next week was even more convincing.
The record stood: Failures, none; sue
1cess, seventy-four times. BY this time
Tit had become not a definite test to
prove the truth of a saying, but a wild
-hunt after an instance where failure
could be recorded. Night after night
-Spriggs prowled around the streets,
peering into the faces Of the pedestri-
ans and frequenting localities where
! there would be little likelihood of find
ling quadrupeds. The fever had grown
9to such an extent that he was forced to
admit to himself that there must be
something in it, while he professed to
elelieve that the truth needed further
One day Dick dropped in and taking
Spriggs aside, with much hesitation
and stammering, confided the fact that
he was engaged to be married. "1t's
Mabel Austin, Uncle Zeke, beautiful
girl -"
Light or darl?" asked Spriggs, with
a quick look of interest.
"NNell, guess you'll call her bru-
nette, for she has the loveliest black
hair in the world; but 1 have promised
to bring you to see her tonight Say
you'll 60 Uncle Zeke-Tll call for you
at eight, shall I?''
1t had been many years since SpriggS
had gone out calling and he was 10th
to begin now, when he needed all his
time for his Investigations; however,
he promised and sent his nephew away
rejoicing.
Spriggs found Mabel all that Dick
had claimed for her, and was well
pleased with his boys choice; yet the
evening dragged somewhat, and his
dress suit made Uncle Zeke overly con-
scious of his society shortcomings.
He was standing near the window for
moment alone, when he heard his
name called. Turning quickly, he saw
Dick approaching with vision of love-
illness on his arm.
One look was enough, and the next
instant SpIiggs had wheeled about and
jerked aside the hangings. Trotting
slowly past, and directly under the
street lamp, was the inevitable white
horse.
Then he remembered that Dick posi-
bly, wanted to present him, and, drop
ping the curtain in great haste, he con-
fronted the pair. The vision had a
cold and naughty look, and Dick was
clearly embarrassed Spriggs appre-
ciated his awkward position fully, and
with a great effort made himself ex-
ceedingly agreeable Indeed, in his
abject humiliation, he was so devoted
that Dick was led to whisper to his
fancee: Your sunny-h eaded friend
seems to have caught Uncle Zeke
hard"
When Spriggs went home he sat down
and went over the events of the even
ing. The vision was certainly hand
some and could talk as few women
were able, but he shuddered at the
thought Of her hair. 1t was an unmis-
taxable red. Nevertheless, he had
asked permission to call and it had
been graciously granted. Spriggs called
and then called again. In short time
his leisure hours were about evenly di-
vided between his investigations and
the vision. Spriggs was struck hard,
so hard, indeed. that when in her de-
lightful presence he almost forgot his
hobby. He invariably hired white
horse, however, when he took her out
driving. Once he had the temeriy to
try bay horse, but he never repeated
the experiment. He was uneasy the
whole time, for while his heart and
soul were with his companion his mind
and eyes sadly missed the familiar Sc
quence.
One evening as matters were APP
preaching crisis, Spriggs found him
self seated in close proximity to his in
amorata. He had fully made up his
mind to settle the matter at once and
have done with it. There was just
enough manly conceit about him to
make him feel assured that his suit
would not be unsuccessful, but it was
with considerable trepidation that he
approached the subject. The CONVERSE
ton had drifted, as lovers talk in
variably will, to the personal, and
Spriggs was expatiating on early strug-
giles and ambitions.
II had a hard time of it when l was
young" he was saying. my nature
was not one to make friends readily,
and female friends were exceedingly
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