Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1891-03-27
A COSTLY MISTAKE.

a UUOlu1 Midi hAD'
"You won't forget, Thomas?" said
old Mr.. Millingham.
"No, Uncle Bob, | won't forget"
"Becduse, you know" said Mr.
Millingham, with a troubled counte-
nance, ga man looks so old without
any teeth. And Pm not sixty yet-noI
until next week"
No-to-be-sure. Uncle Bob"
"And that dentist promised them a
week ago-ten days ago!" added the
old gentleman.
"Dentists never do keep their word,
you know" soothed his nephew
"And, Thomas, if there are any
choice violets and roses in market, you
may send me down box by express,
you know" added Mr.. MilIingham,
pretending to be intent on the scientific
chipping of his egg-shelI.
Thomas, the irreverent, burst into a
great roar Ut laughter
"Hcllow said lie. $50 you really
intend to give me an ount-in-law, do
you, Uncle Bob2"
Mr.. Millingham assumed a de-
mcanor of great dignity.
'1s there anything SO ridiculous in
that?' said he. 'Didn't | just tell
you wasn't sixty yet?"
"But, Uncle Bob, who is it?' per-
sisted Tom Tatlock. "Do you know,
I've heard some sort of rumor of
this in the village, but simply laughed
at 'cm.
"Oh, you did, eh?" said Mr.. Milling
ham, much offended. 'Tm glad you
are so easily amused But isn't it ten
o'clock, Thomas. If you mean to
cate h that ton twenty-five train, you've
no timv 10 lose.-
elf | can't walk a mile aud half
in twenty minutes," observed Tom,
helping himself to fresh slice of cold
boiled beef, 81 deserve 10 be cashiered.
just drop more coffee, Uncle Bob.
Really, your housekccper does make
superb coffee! Now then, where's my
ulster and gripsack?
81 wonder" Mr. Tatlock pondercd
to himself, as he walked, with the
long, swinging strides which pro-
claimed the practiced athlete, down
toward App!egate Depot, "who it is
that has woven network around dear
old Uncle Bob? Whoeverit is, | hope
she'll make him happy. But the idea
of frosty-Aaired old cove like him
thinking of matrimony!'
And at the idea Thomas Tatlock
laughed so heartily that he had to stop
and pick up the gripsack, which es-
capped from his hands.
at is too good joke" said he.
Just at this particular turn of the
road pretty Gothic mansion of cut
stone with marble trimmings came in
view. A rather mature young lady,
in an extremely youthful hat garland
cd with poppies, came out Oh the
piazza, leading an asthmatic pug dog
by blue ribbon.
Sne waved a neatly-kidded hand to-
ward the young man, which gesture
he cordially returned.
"'NIay come in?' he called out.
The mature young lady coquettishly
drew out ieweled watch, and mo-
toned toward the red top of the dis
tant railway station.
Thomas shook his head, laughing;
but he accepted the hint.
"Yes, know" said he. "Express
trains, like time and tide, wait for no
man."
And waving his hat, he plunged
down the steep hill, reaching the little
station only in time to jump on board
the train.
Thomas Tatlock was an embryo NJ.
D., whose brand-ncw shingle had only
just been hung out, and whose ambi-
tion was boundless.
Miss Francella Martin was no incon-
siderable heiress, though not especially
young, and Thomas had aspirations in
that direction, although he had not as
yet breathed aught of them to .he
uncle who had furnished him with an
education and ar outfit of surgical in
struments and medical books.
"Time enough for that when she ac-
cepts me-" said he to himself. "The
governor is jolly old soul, but he'd
poke no end of fun at me if couldn't
hit il off. And it would be comical
conglomeralloH IT we should both hap
pen to get spliced at the same time!"
Mr.. Tatlock went back to New York
and counted his money. He looked
tentatively at the check which good
Uncle Bob had given him.
EYES," he said to himself, al think
it will do. Those ilky-jacketed King
Charles fellows cost pot of money;
eacla she's fond of dogs, and a fellow
&C got to make bold stroke once in
rhile. Francie shall have the prot
King Charles in Barker's store.