Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-09-27
JACK HARDUP'S MYSTERI-
GUS VISITOR.

WV IDl O1l.
1t was the practice Of the good peo-
pie of BEmpingtonshire to fill their
houses for the annual hunt ball,
and none were more assiduous in this
respect than the Hardups, Of Soaking
ton Hall. The Hardups were young
married couple who had lived some few
years i'll the neighborhood, and were
both wealthy and Hospitality disposed.
Nothing, in fact, pleased them better
than entertaining houseful of CHEEKY
people. On the particular occasion
with which we have now to deal, the
Hardups were anxious to eclipse the
the conyiviality of all previous gather
ings, and Mrs. Hardup had every rea-
son 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 received the fol-
lowing epistle from her cousin, Reggie
Bunkum, one of the most highly priced
VI llGI cA)eCteu SuCSGS.
DEAR CTS: cant tell you how sorry 1
am tohave to cry off at the last moment,
but old Standish, who has como to us as
under secretary. has done me tho honor of
selecting me to be his private secretary. He
wants me to get into harness at once, so
can't possibly got away. as you will under
stand, but wish you would ask my friend.
Charlie Twizzleton. to take my place. You
have heard mo speak Of him before, though
you don't know him. He is such sport that
I am sure you will be delighted with him.
He is quite tlrst-rate on the banjo. and has
a never ending repertoire of comic songs
Furthermore, is capital conjurer. and
mind you don't forget to make him do the
three dogs in barrel You'd declare
there really were three if you didn't know.
You must not be surprised if he turns up at
some time as a tramp, or in some other
outlundsh character A line to the Bache-
lor's Club will find him. / shall think of
your festive party whom am grinding away
at estimates and such like denominations.
Love to Jack.
Your affectionate cousin.
REGGIE BUNKuN1."
Il am sorry that Reggie is not COM
ing" remarked Mrs Hardup TO her hus-
band. But it can't be helped. 1 sup
pose, however, that we may as well ask
Mr.. Twizzleton. He sounds as if he
would be fun"
ooh, by all MEANS responded the
genial Jack Hardup. write and tell
him Veil meet him by the $50 at
B'nnpington, if he can come, and ask
him to send a wire in the morning."
Mrs. Hardup accordingly dispatched
note to Mr.. Ywizzleton. The next
morning she received q telegram accept
ing her invitation, and the same after
noon, in due course, a carriage was dis
patched to Bumpington Junction to
meet the expected guest.
Mr.. Twizzleton was, of course, freely
canvassed at Mrs. Hardup's tea table
that afternoon. Reggie Bankum's &C
count Of his friends accomplishments
naturally raised lively anticipations, and
the appearance of the new conner was
awaited with much curiosity. No one
saw him arrive. for the train was late,
and when the carriage returned from
the station the Hardups and their guests
were dressing for dinner; but after the
company had assembled in the drawing
room, Mr.. Twizzleton was announced
and made his appearance. Amusement
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.. Pickwick. A black satin
stock enveloped his neck. He was
gorgeous in avelvet waistcoat, copiously
adorned with coral buttons. From his
fob dangled heavy bunch of old-fash-
toned seals and trinkets. The oddity
of his appearance was further enhanced
by pair of green spectacles, the object
of which the more acute observers pres
ent at once took to be to complete his
disguise. .....
Only one explanation of this unex-
pected apparition seemed possible.
Il suppose" whispered Mrs. Hardup
to her husband. when she had well
coined her guest and introduced him to
the lady whom he was to take in to din
ner, shat this is one Of the DISCUSSES in
which Reggie warned us that his friend
might appear"
Apparently so, returned jack" but