Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1892-01-15
The Young Mans Mistake.
BY HELEN FOREST GRAVES.

by HELEN FOREST GRAVES.
ooh, but you'll be sure to make
your fortune, JASON" said Annie
Dayrell, enthusiastically.
81 snail make try for it at all
events" said Jason Trowbridge, rath-
er conceitedly, adjusting the lavender
silk necktie that the dainty fingers of
his bctrothcd had stitched for him.
lie was tall, handsome Young
man, with curly brown hair, pink
and white complexion, and an exqus-
ite little shadow of mustache on
his upper lip; the only son of Wild
owed mother, and the Apollo of The
village mythology. Such young fell
lows are very apt to be little
spoiled, and sometimes more than a
little.
"l wish could go to the city," said
Annie, discontentedly. In her mind $
eye, pretty Annie Dayrel saw her
dalsy-likc loneliness eclipscd by the
sparkle aud style Of city bellies. She
remembered how, in all the novels
she had read, the wealthy merchants
beautiful daughters invariably fell in
love with the courageous young aspi-
rants for fortune, And what woman
could be blamed for falling in love
with Jason Trowbridge? Already
Annie felt the envenomed dart of
jealousy tearing at her heart.
Jason will take you there ono dav,
my DEAR said Mrs. Trowbridge. COM
placently. 1T isn't every young man
that enters life under auspices like
those of our Jason. But then. YOU
see. the head of the firm used to be a
college mate of my poor dear hus-
band"
"Mr. Alwayne?" said Annie.
"Yes, Mr.. Alwayne, The finn is
Alwayne & Afford"
Annie listened in revcrential silence
to these items of information, which
she heard at least score of times be-
fore; but then it was such a privilege
to be allowed TO come and help pack
Jason's trunks and mark his cuffs and
collars, and follow him from room to
room, ike patient, adoring little
girl, as she was, that she would scarce
ly have found the multiplication table
itself tedious.
SO Jason went to seek his fortune,
like him of the Golden Fleece. nobody
knows how many centuries ago.
Ii was quite true, as his mother had
said, that his debut on the grand stage
of the world was surrounded with
more favorable circumstances than
that of many young men of his age
and qualifications.
Mrs Trowbridge, anxious that her
only child should succeed in life, had
written long letter to Mr.. Alwayne
recalling TO his memory the gay Young
collegian of thirty years ago, and beg
ging his interest, and Mr.. Alwaync
had responded with a brief, brusque
note, which people told the widow
was characteristic of the rich lner-
chant.
"send the young fellow on" it
said; Il am willing to try what
mettle lie is made of.
That was rather a slender fonnda-
ton whoreon to build, but it was
enough for Mrs. Trowbridge and
Annie Dayrell-nay, even for Jason
himself.
"He's an eccentric fellow" reasoned
the young man, "with lots of money
and no son of his own; it shall be no
fault of mine if he doesn't take
fancy TO me-"
Thus he meditaled as lie elbowed his
way through the crowd at Albany to
get his ticket. At the same moment
he felt a hand laid lightly on his arm.
and he was addressed by feeble look
ing old man in a butternut colorcd
suit and knotted cane.
"Would you please get my ticket
for me, sir !? / am not so spry as
some of these travellers, and l believe
our time is limited"
Get your ticket yourselflv sharply
flashed back Jason Trowbridge. aggra-
yaled especially by some rough boot
being placed just then ON his light