Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-01-02
A ROMANCE OF THE SWAMP"

vowed that the odors of Araby were
in the air, and that I heard angelic
music.
Yet my surroundings were to say the
least, prosaic. | sat at a desk in an Of
flee in that domain of leather-dealers
which New Workers have christened the
S~wamp-at all times a place of any
thing but dainty perfumes-and this
was midsummer at its hottest, and in a
neighboring alley disconsolate old or
ycleped ''John Browns Body to a
group of dirty, barefoot children.
If | had looked about me I would
have seen the close shaven, mouse-col-
ored heads of three young fellow-clerks
and the polished bald pates of two old
ones, who were scratching away for
dear life. l was the only one who was
neglecting his work, but l was think
ing of her-of the loveliest, d%ivinest.
most adorable she. My body was in
the Swamp but my soul was in the vii
La on the Hudson, where she dwelt and
thought, no doubt, of me, and whence
she had sent me a little pink, perfumed
billet:
'tMr. Prince, Mr.. Vondervitch would
like to have you step into the Office"
With these words a voice interrupted
my blissful reverie-that of Dibbs, the
messenger.
cat once [ replied.
sprung to my feet, touched myself
up with a pocket-comb at the little
mirror in my desk, aud fastened to
obey the summons.
Mr.. Vondervitch was by birth a Rus
sian. He was a ferce-looking old GEN
tleman, with curiously projecting light
blue eyes and IN immense head of hair,
which looked like what is called by
those upon the stage a ''fright wig"
His mustache rivaled his wig, and his
mouth looked like that of the wolf who
ate Red Riding Hood.
On the present occasion he was &C
tually alarming. He sat at a desk
making cigarettes, which he smoked as
fast as he made them, and during all
his conversation he continued this oc-
cupation.
He began thus:
so, Mr.. Prince, l am glad to see
you. l have been very anxious to do
so all day"
Thank you very much, sir" said L.
you can spare your acknowledge
ments," he replied. 'It is as a curl
osity that | take pleasure in looking at
you. wanted to gaze upon an au-
dacious, impertinent, %presuming, and
dared to address these to my daugh-
ter
As he spoke he threw toward me a
.ao.J-o+ of 1o++o., 1rL3aI r4on,>a1 a1
they flew by me in a manner which
would have won me honors on a base
ball field.
They were my own, addressed to
Miss Theodore Vondervitch. [ knew
them at a glance.
'.My second wife found them in The
odora's chifonier this morning." said
Mr.. Vondervitch, "and placed them in
my hands. How did you dare write
themp"
I murmured words to the effect that
Theodora's fascinating personality was
my excuse.
'She is so lovely" I explained, "that
to know her is to adore her."
"But you don't know her. said Mr..
Vondervitch."
"Oh, 1 beg pardon, sir; we were in
troduced at a little party" said I.
introduced or not, you don't know
her, - Numbered Mr.. V~ondervitch. One
of my clerks cannot possibly know my
daughter. Why, the bare idea is pre-
posterous."
1could only look at him.
IF we were in Russia I'd send you
to Siberia for this indecorous and
and reasonable conduct" continued
Mr.. Vondervitch. "As it is, I dismiss
you without any recommendation from
this firm. Cor
That "go" rang in my ears like the
from this place and this salary-which
was much-but 90 fovever from the
idol of 10y soul-the girl [ loved, and
who loved me.
If it would have served me in the
least to 90 down on my knees and kiss
the shoes of Theodora's father and pray
his mercy | would have done so, but it
would have been worse than useless.
May [ say n word, sirP" | ven
tured.
"You may not" replied Mr.. Wonder
witch.
As ne spoke the nostrils OF his mighty
nose distended, and he pulled forth
through them in one great volume the
smoke of all the cigarettes he had made
and consumed during the interview.
Where he had stored it / do not know,
but it surrounded him and blotted him
from my sight as l bowed myself out
backward.
[ went to my desk and took my hat.
The three Young shaven heads and the
two old bald ones lifted themselves as [
did so, and five astonished voices in
quired:
Whats the matterP?"
I did not explain, but simply said
"Good-by," and vanished from their
sight, as [ supposed, forever.
When 1 reached the room [ occupied
in my clearinghouse | recognized the
truth of the adage: 'Misfortunes never
come singly."
Mypocket-book, containing a months
wages, which had been paid the night
before, was gone. / had either dropped
it or some pickpocket, noting my alb
sorbrion in thought, had relieved me OF
it.
[ had not a penny in the world my
weeks board was due; and l had no
friends to apply to.
My thoughts turned naturally to the
Central park reservoir, but | had not
the car-fare, and lacked the energy to
take me there.
had - hopt, o. sdvarcemeps at