Johnstown weekly Democrat. (Johnstown, Cambria County, Pa.) 1889-1916, 1890-04-25

old Cambridge tines. mover waited oa
him before, SIR"
"0f course said the curate in despair.
~ ses 10 now. Old Septimus was at
Cambridge, 90 was Heathcote; they are
old friends. How in the name Of Provi-
dence am / 70 get out Of thiss I say.
Binns, do you know ! must stop here till
he goes. You will keep IL dark--now
won't your
''Most certainly, sir," said the sym
pathetic butler. Wont you have some
lunch, sir? Nobody will know"
Tom smiled in his misery at the idea.
After oil, why shouldn't he?
1Well, Binns. really think will"
And the trusty servitor disappeared to
return with a huge plateful of cold pie,
bottle OF champagne and some straw
berries.
THANK ye. Binns," same Tom, CRATE
fully; 'now go away and don't come
back till the clergyman has gone.
Whew! How hot 1t ist'
1t was hot and no mistake. On @
scorching day the interior of drag with
the windows shut is about as agreeable a
resting place as the Black Hole. Tom
could not let the blinds down, SO he
drank tumbler Of iced champagne,
which made him much warmer than be-
fore, though it inspired him to smile at
his position. His stiff collar was grow
ing limp, and his heavy black garments
began to grow insupportable.
"Wonderif dare to take my coat Off"
he asked himself. The mental answer
was "Yes," and he proceeded to do SO.
Then he felt better, finished the plate of
pie, and had another tumbler of the
champagne. 81 feel half inclined to go
out and face him." reflected Tom, but
his heart failed. lie piled the dust cloaks,
coats and umbrellas in one corner, and
tried to make himself comfortable. Pres
emily, however, the match was resumed,
and then his real suffering began Tom
had never endured such torture. Loud
applause frequeltly broke upon his ears;
shouts of "Well HIT" "Well bowledr'
"Well caughtr aud, sometimes, more
maddening even than these sounds, there
was deep hush of suspense in the noisy
crowd on distinctly audible sigh of re-
lief, which told his practiced ears that
some exciting crisis of the game had
come or gone.
He vainly peered over the half drawn
blind to catch a glimpse of the players:
he could, however. see nothing but for
est of black hats and variegated sun
shades. Binns returned notion dared
not quit his hiding place, and despair once
more possessed his soul. Suppose I'm
here for the afternoon. Holy Moses, how
hot it isl" (lIeat is apt to re-
lax the propriety even OF curate's Ian.
guage) wish / dared to take some
more of my clothes OFF, And then his
eye fell on The champagne bottle, which
was nearly half full. We'll, l can have
another drink. at all events" And again
his troubles seemed less. lie stretched
himself out as well as he could, for he
was a big man and the space was small.
and by degrees b. finished the bottle
If only | had weed" he reflected;
haven't smoked for months. it seems
years"
And growing bold even to reckless.
ness, he hunted in the pocket, Of the
other mems oyercoats till he found a
cigar case. When he had lit cigar he
felt comparatively at ease. 1t was very
hot, he Thought, but a peaceful feeling
stole over him: the hum OF tie crowd
grew fainter and fainter; the shouts Of
applause morn distant; even the ham
merin% Of sticks and umbrellas on til,
drag, within six inches of his head
ceased TO annoy him. He pulled at his
cigar less energotcally; soon it fell from
his lips, and the Rev. Thomas Baxter slept
as peacefully IS child.
He was awakened by rouyh saakr
and shout in his ear of Hi, wake up
Returning to semi-cousciousne,s he in
distinctly heard exclamations of "SEauc
f. .' "Dis%usJing! who would have
thought it, And then familiar voic,
said in somewhat quaveriNg accents,
Leave him to me, papa. | Must see
him alone. Tom pulled himself together
with . jerk. opened his heavy eyes, and
found himself confronted by Miss Alice
Heathcute. ho stood with flushed cheeks
and indignant expression at the door of
the drag.
Are you awake, sir?' she inquired,
with elaborate sternness.
Awake! yes; why not, dear?' stam-
mered Mr. Baxter.
Then what is the meaning of this?
You leave me hours ago and say you
don't feel well, and here find you sound
asleep when the play is over for the day,
and we have been sending all over the
ground for you. And in your shirt
sleeves, too
Good gracious! l beg your pardon. l
forgot" And, blushing scarlet, the cur
ate huddled on his coat.
And they all say that youare drunk,
she continued, with n half sob. "Oh,
Tom, its SHAMEFUL
Drunk" cried Mr.. Baxter, indignant
ly. II should like to meet anybody who
says that I'm drunk! Let me explain,
darling. I'll come out now" And then
he caught sight of his vicar again and
shrank back. rs that man never GO
ing?"
"What MANI" asked Miss Alice, with
Really, Tom, you must be
mad today"
"Why, the clergyman, Alice, dear; do
you know who he Isl"
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