Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-20

it-and then says I to him. Lor bless ye,
don't know nothing about Highland whisky
but there's gentleman in our 'ouse who i
sure to be judge, and if L can persuad,
him to try it, he'll be able to say if it's tn
real sort"
Gall right, Hobson, said George Bethun'
| in his grand way. Some other time viii
see what it is like"
"Thank you, sir, thank youp' said the ex
butler with earnest gratitude, and he went
and placed the bottle on tine sideboard.
| Then he came back and hesitatingly took
out an envelope from his pocket "And ii
| 1 might ask another favor, sir. You see,
sir, in this 'ot weather people won't go to
| the theaters, and they're not doing much,
and my brother-in-law, the theatrical agent,
he's glad to get the places filled up, to make
| a show, sir, as you might say. And I've
got two dress circle seats, if you and the
young lady was thinking Of going to the
theater tomorrow night. It's great favor,
sir, as nv brother-in-law said to me as he
was a-giving me the tickets and arsking me
to get 'em used.
He lied; for there was no brother-in-law
and no theatrical agent in the case. He
himself had that very afternoon honestly
and straight-forwardly purchased the tickets
at the box office-as he had done on more
than one occasion before-out of the money
allowed him for personal expenses by his
wife; so that he had to look forward to a
severe curtailment of his gin and tobacco for
weeks to come.
"Thanks-thanksr" said George Bethune,
as he lit his long clay pipe. Il will see what
my granddaughter says when she comes in
unless you would like to use the tickets
yourself"
''Oh. no, sir, begging your pardon, sir, +"
was the instant rejoInder. "When 1 ave
evening out go to the Oxbridge music
all-perhaps it's vanity, sir-but when
like to hear some on 'em call out, Says
Wolseley, says he r All, sir, that was the
proudest moment of my lite when 1 see
Charley Coldstream come on the stage and
begin to sing verse after verse, and the peo-
pie cheering; and owed it all to you, sir; it
was you, sir, advised me to send it to
him
ga catching refrain-a catching re-
frain," said the old gentleman, encourag-
ingly. 'Just fitted to get hold of the public
ear"
"Why, SIR" said Hobson, with fatuous
little chuckle OF delight, "th1s VERY after
noon, as was coming down Park street
heard butchers boy a-singing i'll did,
words,
Says Wolseley. says ne,
To Arab,
You can fight other chaps. but you can't fight
me.
every word heard. But would you be-
lieve it, sir, when was in the Oxford music
'all 1 could 'ardly listen, was SO fright
ened, and my ears abuzzin, and me 'ardiy
able to breathe. Lor, sir, that was expert
ence. Nobody looked at me, and that was
a mercy-I couldn't ha' stood it. Even the
chairman, as was not more than six Yards
from me, didn't know who I was, and not
being acquainted with him couldn't offer
him somethink, which should have con-
sidered it proud honor so to do on such an
occasion. And If I might make so bold,
sir"
He was fumbling in his breast pocket.
"What-more verses?' said Mr.. Bethune.
good naturedly. "Well, let's see them.
But take seat, man, take seat
Rather timidiy he drew chair in to the
table; and then be said with appealing eyes:
"But wouldn't you allow me, sir, to fetch
you little drop of the whisky-I assure you
it's the best?"
"Oh, very well-yery well, but bring two
tumblers; single drinking is slow work"
In . few seconds those two curiously as