Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1890-09-02
ONE GENT

at the dripping nags, the salad tere out
In the rain, the plates, the forlorn lam
terms. He heard Mr.. Dobbs's voice Ia the
hall "a rascally swearing actor, Mr..
Dobbs was saying. A three cornered
smile squeezed into Georges face Mr..
Dobbs was so funny in his dripping blue
satin, so courageous. so gay, that had
George turned to look at him his anger
must have vanished. But he would not
turn. He sneaked off down the cellar
stairs and sat down ON barrel facing
the poodle.
Il wish was poodle, solloquized
George mo brothers No sisters. It's
easy, easy, easy all the time.
The poodle whined.
II say it isl! said George. "Its easy,
easy. easy all the time.
George, said voice from the dark
ness, "come here.
"Oh. crackity, murmered George.
He found his uncle seated on a broken
chair before the furnace door
George, there is great change Of
temperature shall light fire.
"Yes, sir.
SECT the kindlers.
just then the music struck up over
their heads and Mr. Dobbs's voice could
be clearly heard.
"Bow to partners, said Mr.. Dobbs.
"Fnst couple forward and back.
"There's paper in the ash barrel, said
Uncle 'Zekel II have the matches.
("Ladies to the right. y
"lf you were to exchange with the
poodle, George"
("Turn partners.
"It would be bad thing, shocking
thing"
("Gentlemen to the center.
SIS the actor up stairs9"
"He's Mr.. Dobbs, said George.
("Chassee all.
"Dobbs Bobbs, Cobbs. he's a rascal,
sir, cried the excited uncle.
"Say it if you like, said George. "'Tis
not true.
After that silence reigned in the cellar.
Above the music ceased, and the sound
of carriage wheels was heard as the
guests drove away.
"Now, Rebecca, let's find your uncle,
said the same voice that had directed the
dancing.
George" said Uncle 'Zekel, "bring
down Mr.. Bobbs.
George had done many errands that
day. but here was the worst onei
uncle 'Zekel'sin the cellar, and you're
to come down, said he, without looking
at Mr.. Dobbs.
Mr.. Dobbs threw his arms gayly about
George'ssshoulder. "No one but George
goes with me, he said.
Soon Uncle 'Zekel stood face to face
with the r;s ally swearing actor
"Mr. Wood, it's all my blame, he
said cheerfully. "This blaze is some
thing like. I'm drenched.
"You deserve your death, said Uncle
u ,kel.
That's So, assented the young man.
"But it's not that I've got, Mr.. Wood
He drew long breath. Il hope you
will like me, because your niece, Miss
Rebecca-oh, it's really true-I am en-
gagged to your niece.
Mr.. Dobbs threw his arm about Uncle
'Zekel in the exuberance of his good
feeling He might as well have en-
braced a stone.
"Your profession is that Of an actor,
Judge said Uncle 'Zekel calmly.
Mr.. Dobbs laughed. II enter the theo-
logical school in the fall.
"A minister of the gospel" Uncle
'Zekel was aroused for once He stood
up to survey this blue satin young man.
"Eh!"
For now Rebecca, clad also in blue
satin, stood beside Mr.. Dobbs.
Uncle 'Zekel turned with great sud-
denness upon his nephew, George.
"George, you may go. You are Of too
curious disposition, sir; altogether too
curious
"You may say SO if you like, !"
hummed George as he went up the stairs.
This last mental shock had restored
George to his usual pllilosophic calm.
He went to have ice cream with Amy in
his own back yard.
"George, hasn't it been queer?" said
Amy.
George closed his eyes. the better to
enjoy his ice cream.
sits queer, he said, "and its queerer
than you think No. / shan't tell -
Margaret Newcomb, In the Springfield
Republican.