The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-03-25
HIS FATHERS OLD FRIEND.
An Introduction That Brought q Thought
less Youth to His Senses.

less HOu6h TO his Sensos'
THE old gentleman played queer
trick on me the other night" he said.
as he lit his cigar after dinner. "lt
was rather awkward for me at first,
but guess it was good thing after
all.
You know used to feel that 1 had
done myself an injustice if L did not go
to the theater about five or six times
week. Maybe it wasn't always the
theater, but if it wasn't that it was a
stag party or poker game. l needn't
explain; you've been with me fire.
quently.
well, you also know how I'm fixed
in the line of business. work for my
father, and have to be at the office at
$50 in the morning-just as the rest OF
the family are sitting down to break
fast. In consequence 1 get my break
fast and leave the house before they
are up. But 1 can't complain of that.
I'm doing exactly what the man who
had my place before me did. and be-
tween you and me think I'm draw
ing more salary than he did.
'.But that's neither here nor there.
It's the evenings. used to finish
work about 6, get dinner downtown.
and go to the theater or somewhere
else. Been doing it for about six
months, and swear when l figure
back about the only times that 1 have
seen my mother and sister have been
at Sunday dinners. Nothing unusual
in that, of course; the same thing is
true of hundreds of young men IN
Chicago.
But they haven't fathers like mine.
He came to me one afternoon last week
and asked me if had an engagement
for that night.
"Yes, said; I've promised to &c
to the theatre with Will Brown
"'How about tomorrow night, he
asked.
Haven't figured ahead that far
replied.
'''Well, I'd like to have you go some
where with me-
""AI right said; 'where'll NEE
youP'
You see, he leaves the Office abou
| an hour before get through.
He suggested the fremont House
| at 7:3O, and 1 was there, prepared fo
the theatre and quiet lecture on lat'
hours. He had combined the two OIL
several previous occasions. But wher
| he appeared he said he wanted me t.
call on lady with him.
| Zone l knew quite well when wa
young man, he explained.
| 1--WE went out and started straigh
for home.
"She is stopping at the house. h
said, when spoke of it.
II thought it strange that he shoul'
have made an appointment for tn
fremont House under those circum
stances, but said nothing.
"Well, we went in and was intro
duced with all due formality to m
mother and my sister.
THE situation struck me as ludi
crous and 1 started to laugh, but th
laugh died away. None of the thre
even smiled. My mother and my 81:
Ter shook hands with me and nj
mother said she remembered me as
boy, but hadn't seen much of me late
ly. Then she invited me to be seated
My, it wasn't bit funny then, a
| though can laugh over it now. 81
down and she told one or two ane,
dotes of my boyhood, at which we a
laughed little. Then we four playe
whist for a while. When l finally n
tired was courteously invited to ca
again. went upstairs feeling prett
small and doing good deal of thinl
ing"
..And then," asked his companion.
Then 1 made up my mind that m
mother was most entertaining lad
and my sister good and brilliant girl
"And now?"
"Now I'm going to call again. as
have been doing quite regularly for tt
last week. enjoy their company an
propose to cultivate their acquain
ance."
And the young mamie was on
about 22-put on his coat and starte
for his car Chicago Tribune.