The Louisiana Democrat., 1891-10-07
JOHN CHAPMAN, OF RAMApo.
A Long. Felt Want which Fat Man Re-
fused to Recognize.

! 1t was late boat crossing the Erie
ferry, and there were only three or four
| passengers in the mems cabin, One of
them was a thin man with long linen
duster and tall white hat. Although
there were many vacant seats, this pas.
senger, after a deliberate inspection of
the interior, went to the far corner of
the cabin and sat down in seat next
+ to a fat man with a big valise.
i "John Chapman of Ramapo" ex-
Il claimed the spare man. "How are
+ you tO-night?" The fat man stared
/ moment at the speaker and then said:
I 81 am not Jo..n Chapman, of Ramapo,
{ but am quite well tonight "a "a
4 "Not. John Chapman, of Ramapo?"
+ said the thin man, apparently surpris-
/ ed. "Why, are you sure?"
+ We'll I guess ought to know who
/ I amt exclaimed the fat man.
+ Certainly, sir, certainly: to be sure!"
replied the thin man. but mercy!
I How could l be so mistaken? Why, if
l had gone on with what I had on my
Emind would have been mortified be-
yond measure! 1 was so sure you were
John Chapman, of Ramapo."
+ Mistakes like that frequently hap.
Epen," said the fat man.
L "Yes, I~know," said the thin man
E"It is not the mistake / deplore SO
Emuch. The thought of the mortifica-
Elton / would have suffered if had gone
son and done what had on my mind.
Iand then found that You were not John.
fsChapman, of Ramapo, is what annoys
lFme. Mercy!'' The fat man bowed.
+ Yes, indeed" continued the thin
Eman. II don't know what made me
pause on this occasion, for always go
Fright up to John. and without cere.
Emony say: Loan me dollar till to.
EmorrowH Now if 1 had done that to-,
might and, after you had loaned me the
Edollar, ! had discovered that you were
mot John Chapman, of Ramapo, just see
how deadly my modification would
have been. Mercy! 1t makes me cold
i to think of it. - tr
q The fat man assured him, with
smile, that there would have been no
Occasion whatever'for modification on
|Ihat score. s.a
81 "Thanlzs! thanlSs!' exclaimed the
Thin man. "You are very kind But |
don't know as ought to accept it even
until tomorrow. If you were only
2 ohm Chapman, of Ramapo, now! You
are exceedingly like him in looks and
manner The fat man bowed, but the
Smile was missing. The boat was now
nearing her slip.
'If. as you say. my fears of being
mortified beyond measure if had gone
at you as John Chapman, of Ramapo,
are Groundless,'' said the thin man.
blandly, II will put the thought aside
and accept the loan-but only till to.
morrow! Only till tomorrow"
The fat man grabbed his valise and
hurried on deck, looking back once or
twice to see if the thin man was in pur.
suit. He wasn't. He sat still and
watched the fat man as he disappeared
across the gang plank. Then he arose
and mopped his forehead with red
handkerchief. s. .aEE H. aa
Its singular nowadays how tight
the money market is, said he.-N. Y.
Sun.
PATHOSn IN A COURTROOM.
The Touching Illustration OF Children's
Affection III pirisian Trial.
A French paper says that Lucille
Rome, a pretty girl with blue eyes and
fair hair, poorly but neatly clad, was
brought before the Sixth court of cor
rection under the charge of vagrancy.
"Does anyone claim you?" asked the
magistrate. st
"Ah my good sir" said she, 81 have
no longer friends my father and mother
are dead; have only my brother James,
but he is as young as am. Oh, sir,
what can he do for me?'' -Eslstr
"The court must send you to the house
of correction" iu .ssa
"Here am, sister-here l am! do
not fear!' cried a childish voice from
the other end of the court, and at the
same instant little boy with lovely
countenance started forth from amid
the crowd and stood before the Judge
''NVho are you?" said he il '3*.''.
flames Rome, the brother of this lit.
tie girl g6. 9
Your age?" a 4a.5 . 4a.
Thirteen ..a.s.4.a ~. ,ts7f q.5.g >
"And what do you want?' s,.3 nj.
II come, to claim my sister, LUCILLE
80 But have you the means of provid.
ing for her?'' ~ '.''' q. ''''' ,' 7,
! t"Yesterday l had not, but now
3have. Don't be afraid, Lucille. !" .
'Oh, how good you are, james,
well, let us see, my boy" said the
magistrate, "the court is disposed to do
all it can for your sister, But you must
give us some explanation. y
About a fortnight ago. continued
the boy, my poor mother died of q bad
cough, for it was very cold at home. We
were in great trouble Then said to
myself: will be an artisan, and when
know a good tradeI will support my
sister. ] went apprentice to a brush.
maker. Every dayI used to carry he,
half of my dinner, and at night took
her secretly to my room, and she slept
in my bed while ! slept on, the. floor
But it appears she. had not enough to
eat One day she begged on the boule.
ward and was taken up.
"IVhen I heard that,I said to myself;
Come, my boy, things can not last so;
you must find something better. Isoon
found a place where / am lodged, fed
and clothed, and have twenty francs a
month. | also have found good WON.