St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-12-16
JACK HARDuP'S MYSTERIOUS VISITOR.
Very Charming and Truthful English Story from the
London Truth.


more assiduous in this respect than the
Hardups, of Soakington hall. The
Hardups were young married couple
who had lived some few years in the
neighbOrhood. and were both wealthy
and Hospitality disposed. Nothing, in
fact. pleased them better than enter
tanning houseful Of CHEEKY people.
On the particular occasion with which
we have now to deal, the Hardups were
anxious to eclipse the conviviality of all
previous gatherings, and Mrs. Hardup
had every reason to be satisfied with
her success down TO the day before the
party was fixed to assemble. On the
morning of that day, however, she re-
ceived the following epistle from her
cousin, Reggie Bunkum. one of the
most highly priced of her expected
guests:
Dear Cis: / can't tell you how sorry
] am TO have to cry off at the last
moment, but old Standish, who has
come to us as under secretary, has done
me the honor of selecting me to be his
private secretary. He wants me to get
into harness at once, so / can't possibly
get away, as you will understand. But
] wish You would ask my friend, Charles
TwiZZleton, TO take my place. You
have heard me speak of him before,
though yOn 1on't know him. He is such
sport that | am sure you will be de-
lighted with him. He is quite first-rate
on the banjo, and has a neVerending
repertoire of comic songs. Further
more, he is a capital conjuror, and mind
you don't forget to make him do the
''three dogs in a barrel" You'd de-
clare there really were three if you
didn't know. You must not be sur
prised if he turns up some time as Il
tramp or Niger. or in some such out
Iandish character. A lue to the Bach
elors' clnb will find him. / shall think
of your festive party when | am grind
ing away at estimates and such like
denominations. Love TO Jack. Your
atfectiOnate cousin,
REGGIE BUNKUM.
81 am sorry that Reggie is not com
ing" remarked Mrs. Hardup to her huS-
band. But it can't be helped sup
pose, however, that we may as well ask
Mr.. TwiZZeton. He sounds as if he
would be fun"
"Oh. by all MEANS" responded the
genial Jack Hardup. write and tell
him we'll meet him by the $50 at
Bumpington, if he can come; and ask
him TO send wire in the morning.
Mrs. Hardup accordingly despatched
note to Mr.. Twizzleton. The next
morning she received telegram ac-
cepting her invitation, and the same
afternoon, in due course, carriage was
despatched to Bumpington Junction to
meet the expected guest.
Mr.. TwiZZleton was. of course, freely
canvassed at Mrs. Hardup's tea table
that afternoon. Reggie Bunkum's ac-
count of his friends accomplishments
naturally raised lively auticipationS,
aud the appearance of the newcomer
was awaited with much curiosity. No
one saw him arrive, for the train was
late, and when the carriage returned
from fhe station the Hardups and their
guests were dressing for dinner; but
when, after the company had assembled
in the drawing room, Mr.. TwiZZletOn
was announced and made bis appear
ance, blank amaZement fell upon all
present. The new arrival was, to all
appearance, about sixty years of age.
His dress was such as was worn by
elderly gentlemen of fashion in the days
of Mr.. Pickwck. A black satin stock
enveloped his neck. He was gorgeous
in velvet waistcoat copiously adorned
with coral buttons. From his fob
dangled heavy bunch of old-fashioned
seals and trinkets. The oddity of his
appearance was further enhanced by a
pair of green spectacles-the object of
which the more acute observers present
at once took to be to complete his dis
suisc.
Only one explanation of this unex-
pected apparitlon seemed possible.
" ! suppose" whispered Mrs. Iardup
TO her husband, when she had wei
coined her guest and introduced him to
the lady whom he was TO take to dinner,
that this is one of the DISCUSSES in
which Regis warned rs that his friend
might appear"
Apparently So" returned Jack.
"But it's rather queer form to lead off
with practical joke of this descrip-
ton. What on earth are we to say to
him?'
Fortunately dinner was at once an
nounced, and put an end 10 the mo-
mentary awkwardness which Mr..
TwizzletMl's little joke had caused. The
majority of the company were, like the
host. uncertain what line to take with
this practical joker; and, as a conse-
quence, he was left during the progress
of the meal mainly to the society OF
Mrs. Carnegie, whom he had brought in
TO dinner. This lady was the wel!-pre-
served and vivacious widow of an In
dian Judge, and tlattered herself that
she was fully match for the eccentric
individual by her side. They had not
convcrsed very long, however, before
Mr.. Twizzleton fairly puzzled her.
Il hope, Mr. Twizzleton," she re-
marked, soon after they were settled in
their places, that your sight is not so
bad as 10 prevent your dancing this
evening""
Dancing, my dear madam?" replied
Mr.. TwiZzleton. II fear my infirmity
of sight is not the only obstacle to that.
1t is thirty years since | considered my
self dancing man, and TO be asked To
dance is the last thing expected when
came here"
n"Indeedr' returned the widow, with
all arch glance. Did you expect 10 be
left in charge of the hall while the rest
of us disport ourselves at the Dumping
ton ball?"
"Ah, madam, ! see that you are iol-
ing" replied the imperturbable TwiZ-
zleton. MY engage ment with our
charming hostess, whom | am agree
ably surprised TO see looking so well, is
the only occupation can look forward
to tonight"
WELL" said Mrs. Carnegie with
little toss of her head. "Of course you
will have 10 dance with Cicely, but il is
little cool to inform me that you in
tend to favor nobody else-even though
she be our hostess"
Mr.. TwiZZleton assumed an air of as
tonishment, which would have done
credit TO any actor on the boards.
Il dance with heru' he exclaimed.
"Surely, madam, l misunderstood you?
cannot believe that lady would
dream of dancing under such circum-
Stances
And why not, pray?" inquired the
widow.
Because il would be the height of
imprudence i had almost said madness.
So far from encouraging her, should