Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-05-30
A TRUE TALE.

Mr.. Willoughby Arnold was theatrical
agent. He had lived at different times in
New York, Boston. City of Mexico, Paris,
Dublin. and Liverpool, but had gravitated
like most geniuses and many lesser lights
to the great center of the world-London.
He was tall, rather thin, dark mustached
and haired, wore always a dark brown
velvet coat and light gray trousers, and
had chronic cough. He chad the reputa-
ton of being sharp, but then sharpness is
needed in almost all professions, perhaps
For he has not only to live on his own
wits, but also on the wits of others. And
this Mr. Willoughby was quite an adep:
in doing.
He had been eight months in London,
and to Judge from the furniture and ap-
pointments of his office was already doing
well. He was very exclusive and made
it very difficult for people to gain access
to him. Up four flights of stairs was his
office. and when you got there you found
a smiling clerk, to pass whom was well
nigh impossible When you did succeed
in passing him the agents cousin, Mr..
Digby Arnold, had to be coaxed and bull
led before you could pass from his litto
corner cupboard of a den into the photo
rraph hung, flower scented inner sanctum
of the agent himself The visitors prog
fairy tales, where lion lay at one tUn
in the path, and dragon at another, and
an ogre at the third, and so on, and your
chances of passing the latter depended
always on your giving the right word and
correct salute to the first.
Still, there were plenty of people, and
not all of the feminine gender either, who
We're willing to climb the stairs and wait
Mt the outer doors in order to gain en-
trance at last to the holy of holes inside
the presence of Mr.. Willoughby Arnold.
Finally there came one day young
lady, very neatly, tastefully dressed, and
with every pretension to breeding, to the
outer Office and beseged the desk. Her
business was politely requested of her.
She named it. Engagement, she hoped.
The smiling clerk, not whit embar-
rassed by beauty, breeding, and fashion,
refused the suggestion. Mr. Arnold's va
cancies were absolutely full. He had no
room for any one. Could not entertain
any more applicants.
The young lady named mutual friend,
'Iiss Lawrence Max. No use; the smil-
ing clerk distinctly though politely re-
fused her admittance. Fortunately for
,,er, Mr.. Digby Arnold, passing throu III,
saw her and was attracted.
II think perhaps, Austin, my cousin,
(he sometimes forgot whether he was
cousin or brother, little careless, this
Digby) might find time to see this young
lady,"
Miss Lamont was highly grateful. She
had given her name as Helen Lamont.
Austin opened little wicket and Miss
Lamont entered office number one. In a
few moments she had completely subju-
gated Digby and was costly seated in Of
flee number two. From where she sat
she could hear Willoughby cough.
Some one with very bad cold," she
prettily hazarded.
"My brother-Willoughby, responded
Digby. II am sure I can get him to see
you. Any friend of Miss Lawrence Max
would be at any time perfectly welcome,
only-town is so crowded just now, and
the stage so thoughtlessly besieged. You
can have no idea how my poor brother is
haunted. Really only for this arrange
ment of offices he would not be able to
attend to business at all. Will you wait
a moment?"
Certainly, said Miss Lamont.
She was very pretty girl, so demure
and neat and womanly. Charming for
attired.
"A good premium, whispered Digby
in the next room to Mr.. Willoughby,
seated at long table strewn with letters,
books, trifles of art and beauty, flowers,
and photographs.
He held white silk handkerchief to
his face, and wore the famous brown
velvet coat.
ASK it, anyway" said Digby. Il
don't know anything about her ability
but that doesn't matter. Shall I show
her in?"
Willoughby assented and, when Miss
Lamont entered in her pretty modest,
beseeching way, dressed in soft gray with
immaculate boots and gloves, gleam of
jewelry and wave of perfume, and a
knot of violets at her throat, he motioned
her to a luxurious arm chair.
He still held his handkerchief to his
face as he said, between coughs
Excuse me. am very great sufferer
from a combination Of complaints. You
are looking for an engagement on the
ctage?"
Miss Lamont assented.
81 am left penniless. had talent
that way. At least, trust so. In anna
teur evenings"
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