St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-01-04
THE SOCIAL HERO.


Ill sarcasm and partly in truth. His
name was John Smith. My brother
called him white boy, all through"
but Inever saw the gist of that remark.
was ''bud'' that season, and also a
belle. Everywhere / went l met that
man with the dreadful name. He al
ways danced with the girls who would
otherwise have been wallflowers. The
piaineSt girl was always his choice. He
never troubled belle.
If the girls wanted help in anything,
man to pull curtains up at theatricals
or sell tickets, John Smith was ON hand.
He was a large fellow with plain,
honest face, just starting as q lawyer,
with no money to back him. How the
boys q always shall call them boys if
they live to be 100, l know could invite
him to our parties, l never could inn
agine.
Say, Bud" said my brother Ned one
morning after dinner and dance at the
Brs9blecombs'. ''are you going TO
marry Laird?'
Haven't decided, dear; guess I'll
wait till he asks me, wouldn't you?" L
replied.
"Well, Sis, 1 know he has lots of
rocks, but I'd q deal rather see you
marry Smith"
Ned Kimball, do you think I'd look
at that-that countryman," l screamed.
"Countryman! he is good. honest
FELLOW, never was known to do q dis
honorable act, and is going to make his
way in the world, too. As for Laird, if
you knew all l do you wouldn't touch
him with ten-foot pole"
With this he strobe out OF the room
with an angry ScOwl on his face. A few
minutes later Mr.. Laird was announced,
and L met him in my most bewitching
tea gown of cream-colored surah COW
cred with yellow lace.
A large bunch of Jack roses was care
lessly thrust in my girdle, and l was
we'll aware that my golden hair and
brown eyes had done sad havoc with the
milllonalre's heart. Well, he proposed
that afternoon. and | accepted him. I
was eighteen and he thirty eight, but
then, he was the match of the season.
Mamma was delighted, but Ned was
wrath personIfied. AS my father had
died when Twas two and Ned was four,
did not have any one else to consult.
Our engagement was announced, and
flowers and many beautiful gifts were
sent. AT our announcement ball. to
my great establishment, John Smith
asked me to dance, and to my greater
establishment, l found he was delight
full waltzer. After the dance we walked
through the conservatory, and l found
he Was also very entertaining.
"Of course you are very happy and
my wishes for your welfare would
count as nothing, but allow me- to offer
Them" he said.
glanced up as 1 thanked him and
met look in his eyes that made me
uncomfortable. My future husband at
that moment Joined us, and we returned
to the ball room together. A week
later Mr.. Laird gave theater party at
the Adelphi. A pretty comedy was on,
which we all enjoyed, as the acting was
excellent.
II would like to know which among
you gentlemen that actress is taken
with. She watches this box contin-
ually." said Marie Hayes in stage
whisper.
lit can't be Laird, for ne keeps in the
back OF the box. 1t must be John
Smith, said a rival "bud." Then /
noticed that Mr.. Laird had kept remark
ably in the background, and when the
rest laughed at Lillian's remark he
never smiled, Suddenly, without any
warning. came the cry of "Fire!" Then
| the ladies screamed and rushed for the
L.
| as pale as death.
''lf some one could only reach yonder
curtain and eXtinguiSh 1t we could eS-
| cape. The only other way was to get at
| the end of that panic-stricken crowd,
and that is certain death, for the flames
| will soon reach there" Before the
words are out o. his mouth John Smith
had sprung from the box to the stage,
ana for moment he was lost to the
sight.
Good God" cried Ned, she has gone
to certain DEATH"
Better one than all of u.s. said Laird,
| to my disgust.
But no; there came Smith with the
| skin all off his hands, and his face
badly burned.
Come" he cried, ''you have no time
to lose," and he picked me up as
| though | was child and sprung to the
stage again, the rest following. We
were soon in the open air. and
| found carriages to take us safely
home. John Smiths noble conduct
| found praise on all lips but mine. | was
| thinking how he looked us he looked at
| me when | told him not to hurt his
burnt arms any more by trying to lift
me. He had looked at me for one mo-
| ment and then said:
Child. would die for you," and l
! knew he meant it.
Upon retiring tat night l threw my
! lace handkerchief on to the toilet table,
and my maid handed me note, saying:
Miss Edythe, you dropped this out Of
| the handkerchief" Then / remem-
| bered that in the commOtion l had
| picked up a letter, thinking it mine,
and had hastily slipped it into my
pocket. ] now read the superscription
| which was:
| Henry Laird"
glanced at it. This was how it ran:
where were you last night? l will
keep my carriage waiting at the old
| place tonight sure. Come without fail.
| Cards and supper. There are five of us.
| As ever. ".JULIE.D
Now, who was Julie? The only Julie
l ever heard of was Julie Davis, of the
| Adelphi theater. Could it possibly be
| she? | read it again. Yes, of course 1t
was. Well, l reasoned this way:
never cared anything for you, Henry
Laird, ant now l know what Ned meant
| by cOndemning you."
| ately commenced matchmaking John
| Smith because he carried me out.
''He should have left that to me-" he
| said.
YES" replied, ''and it is pity he
| didn't leave you to eXtinguish that cur
tain"
what do you mean, Edythe?"
81 meant, Henry Laird, that you are
| a hOrrid, wicked man, and am as bad,
because | were going to marry you be-
cause you was the catch of the season.
| Here, take this note and your ring and
gO;'' and am afraid stamped my foot,
for was very angry.
But, Edythe. allow me to explain"
''Notbing," interrupted. go, or
shall ring and have you shown out.''
Mutterlng an oath, he strobe towards
| the door, then turned and said:
II am we'll rid of such vixen. wish
Won haDDineSS with vOur couptruman