The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1888-04-05

BY CHARLES r. DODGE.

| BY CHARLES h. DODGE
"All is not gold that glitters," runs
the proverb. Albert Lang was brilliant
fellow in the estimation of his friends.
He was brilliant, too, in 30 many differ
ent directions, that some who thought
they knew him we'll marveled that he had
not set the world on fire long before he
was twenty-one. He dressed taultlessiy
and Ia the best taste, which was the more
remarkable when it is considered that
he never twice patronized the same tailor.
He was brilliant in the ease with which
he made acquaintances among people in
society, and received invitations to all
notable society events.
Yet, with :all his brilliancy, Alfred
Lang was always without money, always
wanting to borrow small sums of intimate
friends, and, consequently, in debt to
more people than he actually could re-
member when he sometimes endesvored
to ascertain where he stood. One thing
was in his favor. His father was com
paratively we'll off, and was known as a
man of strictest integrity in the business
world, and the son was able to push his
way, after his peculiar fashion, largely
on his fathers reputation.
"Why don't you get married, Alf, and
settle down to business, respectfully ?"
said chum one day, who knew him in
timately.
"Deuce take it, George" he replied
with warmth" elf a man can't sup
port himself, how upon earth can he sup
port wife, and particularly the sort of
girl would like to marry %
"Well," his friend replied, "under the
circumstances perhaps there is but one
way open for you. Do as many another
young man has done before you; let the
wife do the supporting, or rather, her
father"
"But every girl in town knows me-"
plausible Alfred Lang observed sagely,
"and if she does not, her father does, so
you see it amounts to the same thing"
Yes, see," his companion observed
with sigh. "I pity you" Then after
a pause added, "Why don't you 60 to
work p
Lang lit a cigarette, daintily, and
with derisive laugh blew several smoke
rings heavenward, and abruptly turned
the subject.
"Humph! why don't go to work ?''
he mused the next morning, as he swoke
at O'Clock, after a delightful evening
at Mrs. La Modes german. "Egad |
shall have to do something disagreeable
if the governor cuts down my allowance
again." Then he dressed leisurely and
sauntered out 10 get up an appetite for
breakfast.
When next he met George Perkin.
some two weeks later, he had quarrelled
with the "Governor" and was on his way
to the railway station to take the train
for P
"The old man had given his check for
g. 1000, to get rid of me, :" he said with
mock seriousness, "and am going out
into the world to seek my fortune. Of
course you approve, George, for shall
simply take the advice you so kindly
give me some time ago, and shall play
for my stakes. You will come to my
wedding, won't you p
With the aid of his fathers name, and
letter of introduction or two to men
of his own age, Alfred Lang was not
long without friends in his new sur.
roundings With engaging manners
and pleasant address, and withal, pos
sessing an unlimited fund of the very
refinement of cheek, he soon received
invitations to this or to that event and
being reputed man of means and the
son of a merchant whose credit was
"Al," he made rapid progress in So
cietY.
Among his new acquaintances was the
son of certain DR.. Delano, Charles by
name, and through him Lang soon made
the acquaintance of the daughter Kate,
fascinating young lady. Fortune or
no fortune, the girl had impressed him
at the very first meeting as no woman
had impressed him before. Love tugged
at his heart-strings, but he held tight
rein on his affections, resolved not to
commit himself foolishly, until he had
first learned the precise market value of
the dainty bundle of merchandise under
consideration. Even q fool can ask
questions, and he soon learned, to his
eminent satisfaction, that DR.. Delano had
fine practice, and owned considerable
real estate in various parts of the city.
Moreover, he was very proud Of his
daughter; and it was whispered that the
man who would be able to win her heart
and capture the fathers affections at the
same time, might make up his mind to
settle down in life and give himself NO
further anxiety about the future.
Then Alfred Lang congratulated him.
self upon falling in love so honestly, and
finding q fortune at single stroke. He
felt that the girl was interested-a hun.
dred little things assured him of it-and
when, after q somewhat better acquaint.
ance, the genial doctor occasionally called
him Alfred to his face, he knew that
everything was progressing splendidly
The fame Of love was therefore famed
as occasion presented itself
A few weeks after this stage of the
affair, Lang wrote to George Devins al
follows:
"DRAR Boy: I have met my fate, In spite o
| our little joke about going away to seek my for
tune. Have just engaged myself to Miss Delano
the only daughter OF Q prominent physician here
and a very lovely girl In every way: From re
marks casually dropped by the fellows aoou
| town infer that her father ID quite wealthy
however, will not quarrel with him on tha
score for Kate 10 jolly company, and things have
gone % far now, that rather than lose her wouit
try to be resigned, had her father q dozen for
tunes. Bot do not think me mercenary, to
much u should hate love IN cottage, he
sweet smiles and chsrming disposition weui'
certainly make the situation anything bus unen
d durabls, etc. =
The enrarement had hardly ceased t(