Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-05-29

MIR. Baxter, sir" whispered Bfnns
the clerical gent, sir; he's on the roo
of our drag"
you don't say sol" groaned Tom.
lie is indeed, sir. He and maste
seem very thick; they're talking over ole
Cambridge times. l never waited on hin
before, sir"
"Of course" said the curate in despair
Il see it now. Old Septimus was at Cam.
bridge, SO was Heathcote. They are ole
friends. How in the name OF providence
am / to get out of this? l say, Binns
do you know l must stop here until he
goes. You will keep it dark-now wont
you?"
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 all, why shouldn't he?
We'll, Binns, really think 1 will"
And the trusty servitor disappeared to
return with a huge plateful of cold pie,
a bottle of champagne, and some straw
berries.
Thank ye, Binns," said Tom, grate-
fully; now go away and don't come back
till the clergyman has gone. Whewl
Now hot it isl"
1t was hot and no mistake. On a
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 before, though it
inspired him to smile at his position.
His stiff collar was growing limp, and his
heavy black garments began to grow in
supportable: .,o.
Wonder if 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 cham
payne. Il feel halt inclined to go out
and face him." reflected Tom, but his
heart failed him. He piled the dust
cloaks, coats, and umbrellas in one cor
ner and tried to make himself comforta-
resumed, and then his real suffering be-
gan. Tom had never endured such tor
ture. Loud applause frequently broke
upon his ears; shouts of well hit"
well bowled!" We'll caught" and
sometimes, more maddening even than
these sounds, there was deep hush OF
suspense in the noisy crowd or distinct.
ly audible sigh of relief, 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 glimpse of the players. He
could, however, see nothing but forest
of black hats and variegated sunshades.
Binns returned not; Tom dared not quit
his hiding place, and despair once more
possessed his soul. Suppose I'm here
palling hot it isl" Heat is apt to relax
the propriety even of curate's language.
Wish dared to take some more of my
clothes off!" And then his eye fell on the
champagne bottle, which was nearly half
full. Well, can have another drink at
all events" And again his troubles
seemed less. He stretched himself out as
we'll as he could, for he was big man
and the space was small, and by degrees
he finished the bottle. IF only l had a
weed, he reflected; haven't smoked for
months. it seems years. And growing
bold even to recklessness he hunted in
the pockets of the other mems overcoats
till he found a cigar case. When he had
lit cigar he felt comparatively atease.
1t was very hot, he thought, but peace
full feeling stole over him; the hum of the
crowd grew fainter and fainter; the shouts
of applause more distant; even the ham
mering of sticks and umbrells on the
drag within six inches of his head ceased
to annoy him. He pulled at his cigar
less energetically. Soon it fell from his
lips and the Rev. Thomas Baxter slept as
peacefully as child.
He was awakened by a rough shake
and a shout in his ear of Hi, wake up!"
Returning to semi-cons ciousness he in
distinctly heard ordinations of Shame
full" "Disgustingl" Who would have
thought it2" And then a familiar voice
said in somewhat quavering accents: