Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-07-07
AN UNLUCKY SERENADE.
The nl-Fortune That Attended My
Musical Efforts.


centric aunt. She, having already
adopted an orphan girl and not wishing
TO be plagued with a pair, promptly
packed me Oft TO boarding-school.
| Here remained, holidays included, till
l attained my eighteenth year. Not till
then did Aunt Matilda condescend TO
receive me.
She did not greet me with much
warmth. She kissed me and then re-
warded fat poodle which nestled in
her lap with the same attention.
You have grown very much like
your fool Of father"
Pardon me, auntie, said |, astounded
at this Introductory remark, you men
toned"
Your father, blockhead I" she
snapped. "Whatever my poor sister
saw in such notch passes my compre-
hension. Nothing but ne'er-do-well,
good-for-nothing- -"
Excuse me, aunt" demonstrated;
but hadn't we better change the sub
ject? The weather is very sultry."
She laughed outright.
II am pleased TO find you are not the
same easy going fool he was. I suppose
you are right. We will let the poor
man rest" which remark was very
charitable, considering poor dad had
been at rest for eight years. Come"
she continued, 81 want TO introduce
you TO Louise, your future wife"
stood open-mouthed with amaze
ment.
Don't stand staring there, you
BOBBY"
my wife?" gasped.
"Yes; l suppose you may rs well
know first as last. will leave you my
fortune-twenty thousand pounds in
consols-hut only on condition that you
marry Louise, you understand"
"Yes, aunt" responded, feebly.
Following her was introduced to Lou
Use and at Cnce fell in with my aunt's
proposals. she was lovely. I don't
think it would have needed my aunt's
fortune as an incentive to falling at
once In love with her. Dark, with
splendid hazel eyes, laughing mouth
and pure, transparent skin, she was In
deed n picture OF youth and beauty.
She received me graciously, and could
see that my aunt was pleased with the
impression she had made. A few days
after Aunt Matilda preached my future.
81 don't want to see you around the
house idly wasting your time" she said.
You must adopt some profession.
Now to what do you incline2"
Protest was useless and my aunt had
her own way. So shortly after lpassed
my examination and became a member
of her majcsty's civil service. had
my own quarters, which n decent allow
ancc from my aunt enabled me to keep
up, and | occasionally visited her at the
snug little Hampstead village.
Out of my first quarters allowance
from Aunt Matilda | lent fellow
clerk, Jack Denton, five pounds, for
which he promised handsome interest.
/ waited patiently but in vain for its
return. At the end of two years-al-
though by that time regarded II rs n
bad debit ventured TO remark that
SHOULD like TO sec the principal, and
would willingly waive all claim to the
interest.
"My dear fellow" was his reply, ~
would pay you with all the pleasure in
the world, but unfortunately am COM
pletcly stumped."
/ saw no chance of its recovery, but
determined TO press him little.
couldn't you manage TO pay so much
month";"
Vague improbability, old chap.
have mortgaged my next threc-months'
crew. But-a good ideal have a
French horn, n regular beauty, worth
ten guincas, and dirt cheap at that.
Now, take IL, like good fellow, and
cancel the debt"
"liut what on earth do want with q
French horn? It's of no use 10 me-"
"Tben create use for 1t. Add 10
your many accomplishments that OF
musical amateur. You've splendid
lip" he continued, artfully; "just the
cut for the instrument Now, old chap,
make me eternnlly grateful by accept
ing. A magnificent bargain, assure
you"
took the instrument, and from that
date my trouble began.
Up to this period the course of my
love had been perfectly smooth, when
who should turn up but cousin OF
| Louisa's, Tom Mcldrum. lie had been
out TO Australia to try his fortune, but
after n sojourn of five years in that
land of promise had returned with just
sufficient to pay his cab fare from the
dock TO my aunt's, where he was loaf
ing till he found something better to do
was Jealous of this Hercules, lie
stood six feet in his stockings. When
ever paid dutiful visit TO the villa
was bound to come upon the cousins In
some interesting position-poring over
sketch books or albums. Aunt was
confined TO her bed and could not watch
| over my interests and so my rival had
the field TO himself.
determined TO warm up my tickle
loves waning affections, and with thi'
object | practiced assiduously on the
French horn lovely German screnadC
had purchased at cheap music stall
taxed my patience 70 the uttermost
and most people within n respectable
radius OF sound. IL / endeavored 4
make croscende on certain note
invariably cracked II or split it into two
or three.
But by laudable perseverance go
over these little difficulties so far as the
serennde was concerned and deter
mined on the first fine moonlight nigh
TO give II a practical trial and see wha
romantic effect would do in the Gauss
of Cupid
At length the auspicious night ar
rived and | set out for Hampstead, ar
irving there quite two hours before thu
time l had arranged for the perform
ance-midnight, SO adjourned TO thu
shelter Of the nearest public and forti
fled myself with severnl stiff tnmbler