The Washington critic., 1889-04-08
A WASHINGTON MELNOTTE.


that is, he was 25, looked 30 and talked 35.
There were two other men IN his tdeu,n
who might come under the same head, and
the trio had been the evening before TO
hear favorite young actress who played
in Washington during the early part of the
season.
The room was distinctively bachelors,
as was evidenced by the numerous pictures
OF the fair sex scattered about indiscrim-
inately, the photograph OF one OF the pref
tiest and most exclusive Of washington's
illustrious "four hundred'' smiling in-
| geniously between two Eve-clad houris
who had pleased the fastidious eye Of Mr..
A. st. James de Smythe at famous ballet
that he had lately graced with his presence.
Several of the pictures, and not those Of
the actresses, either, had locks OF hair
twisted into them, aud on either side of the
mantle and above IL were two unmatched
gartere, costly souvenirs, whose slight but
ward curl and glossier outward than inner
surface vouched for the truth OF their
present owners assertion, that they had
'''seen SERVICE" and I'd fair service, too,p.
he always added.
Boys, have an idea," he said, with un-
wonted animation.
"strange," )" murmured Mr.. Arthur Good
blood, "Don't let It escape de smythe,'"
said Mr.. Richard Tradcrson, knocking the 4
ash on his cigarette.
"Whst's the matter with having a little
Lady Of Lyons in real lifeY" asked Mr.. A.
st. James de Smythe. r
"Great gol my Genius; but how can It
be done.ar asked Mr.. Goodblood.N ...
Easily enough when your Uncle is taxi
ing charge. III furnish tho scheme, but
you fellows will have to help mo push It
through Are you In for It ~. so
"Yes,n they both answered. Mr.. Trader
son begged that his suspense be relieved by
a revelation Of the 'scheme.n
"Well, my idea is to introduce poor
beggar know as fellow with pile as big
| as that Of Crnsus, a regulation prince IN
cog., and all that. can lay my hand on
the very man want an innocent country
chap, who lives within forty miles Of here"
| "He'll give himself away at the start, Pll
bet "" interposed Mr.. Traderson.
| "I'll take that bet;' and Mr.. A. st. James
smythe duly entered the wager in his note
book
"No, sir. The fellow Will last week,
| only he must not have the least inkling OF
what's going on, or the game is up. He
must be as innocent as the numerous
ladies Of Lyons will be9r
1 eyes; when will you get him2"
'I'n write tonight; tell him that there's
surety Of Government job here, and give
him a pressing invitation to accept the
hospitality Of his old school friend till the
| position is secured" -
"i3ully boyl And II he carries of the
honors well, Tll make the old man give
him a counter at the store" said Mr..
Richard Traderson. "ItwiIl be SO deuced
pleasant, don't you know, for the dear
girls to see him bobbing around behind q
counter after denouement. +"
dHello, Peter. So you've arrived, have
you Lay your bag down and make your
self at home. Excuse me, Mr.. Inosent,
allow me to introduce Mr.. Traderson and
Mr.. Goodblood. Have cigar, John p"
"Thanksn
GAS to that place, you can conflde In my
friends here" said Mr.. de Smythe, smiling
blandly, sit won't be vacant. for a week or
two, and meantime the best thing you can
do is to join us this evening at a party at
Senator Blanks. Here is your invitation,
for let them know you were coming.
Don't say word about clothes, have two
spike-tails and you're welcome to the latest
arrival" And so Peter Inosent went to his
first "swell' party and the trio who accom-
panied him were exuberant, for 1t had been
repeatedly announced In the papers for q
week past that "Mr, John Peter Inosent of
L., who had recently come into large
fortune, would shortly be the guest Of hla
friend Mr. A. st. James dc Smythe," aud
they had not failed to confirm thereport ON
all sides. ''What q nutter the girls will be
In when the new arrival is announced .
said Mr.. Traderson to Mr.. Goodblood.
They were not disappointed. Peter
Inosent wasa q lion from the start. II mat
tered not that he trampled the doiicately-
clad feet of the ladies during the waltz;
/ that he stepped on the train of the hostess
80 effectively as to necessitate retreat to
the dressIng-room for repairs; that be used
his handkerchief In place of his napkin at
supper, or that he filed his pockets with
Senator Blanks cigars and failed to pay
his respects before leaving. Little cared
the young ladies' for their, lacerated toes
when the laceration was executed by such
q scion Of wealth; little cared Mrs. Blank
for the train that had been torn by the
wealthy young bachelor, for Mrs. Blank
had been blessed by an all-wise Providence
with five daughters; and whose business
was IT II the estimable young gentleman
preferred that immaculate silk handker-
chief (the property of Mr.. dc smythe, by
the wayJ to napkinS and what host with
Ave daughters would question the propriety
OF n mans putting cigars In his pockets
when those pockets were lined with half
millions What right, indeed, had anybody
to question the harmless eccentricities OF
Mr.. Peter Inosent9
With what infinite grace he apologized
for having macerated Miss AS toesl How
daintily he stroked his yellow mustache
with the irreproachable silk handkerchief
With what matchless nonchalance he
pocketed Senator Blanks cigars What
an estimable gentleman lie was, TO be sure.
The next day there were half dozen in
vitations received by Mr.. Peter Inosent and
his success was assured. With commendable
presence Of mind at such an eventfnl hour
he picked out from the lot an invitation to
dinner party. Oh! Genius of the
Stomach! How thou rlseth above the fol-
lies aud frlvolities OF lifel At the dinner hi
was greater lion than ever, for the fame
OF his wealth had spread since the evening
before and all those of the exclusives whc
, had not had the good fortune to be at Sen
ator Blanks party were wild to see the
newest acquisition TO the charmed circle.