Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-11-30
BORROWED PLUMES.

"Charlie!" called young Mrs. Barker
through the bathroom door, ''here's a
letter from Tom. Shall open it?'
whats that?" returned Mr. Barker,
sitting bolt upright in the tub, with the
cold, fresh water running from his head,
neck and shoulders.
"a letter from Denver. Shall l open
it?"
Certainly, and read it to me, will
you? l shan't be out for ten minutes"
Then the young woman, standing in
the passage outside, read as follows:
Pop is on to you two. He found me reading
your last letter. Ma and he's coming east to-
morrow. guess he's loaded for bear, boy, and
you'd better clear out. Pop and ma mean biz,
l tell you. You'd think so if you'd seen the
spanking got. Yours ever, Tom.
Charlie Barker had consulted Mr. Han
son, it is true. Questioned closely as to
his means, he had had to own that he
was only broker in small way in Pine
street. Being fatty refused the privil-
ege of installing Miss Evelyn Hanson in
his bachelor apartments on Twenty
third street, he had done so without the
old mans permission. He had now to
settle for this breach of privilege with
the old man himself. No wonder he felt
a little nervous.
But all Evelyn'S western blood was up;
all her western independence was flash
ing in her eyes.
"If you're not quite scared to death,
Charlie she said, perhaps you'll be
good enough to open your friends (Mr.
Van Lith's) letter. see it's his writing" :"
and she handed him neat little note on
pink paper bearing the Van Lith crest, a
Dutchman on dyke, with two demi-
johns full Of schnapps rampant.
The young broker broke the seal. He
started up in a minute, his face wonder
fully frightened, his eyes aglow with
excitement.
1.-The luckiest thing that could have
possibly happened" he cried. cyan
Lith's going down to Newport; places
his house at our disposal; servants,
horses, everything. Liberal? Well, l
should say! But he's going away for
month, and Van and | were at Yale to-
gether, and-upon my word, he's the
best fellow in the world"
But Evelyn didn't seem to share his
enthusiasm.
"Oh, you don't see it yet Look here.
I'll explain. We move into the house.
Your father arrives. We've made
lucky scoop in Wall street. didn't tell
you, because wanted to test your affec-
ton and all that sort of thing. The old
man is angry of course, but soon for
gives us when he discovers l am wealthy.
Then we entertain him royalty, and when
he's really found out what an excellent
fellow l am, then we confess. God
bless you, my Children and it's all right.
Seer
Evelyn nodded. $50 on" she cried
encouragingly.
"There isn't anything more to be said,"
answered Mr.. Barker. Actions what
we want. It's half past 10 now. The
tyrant of Denver will be here inside of
an hour. We must pack and clear cut
at once"
"You stop calling pepper names or
you'll do all the packing. You'd be an
CRY yourself if you'd lost such treasure.
am"
She made a little tempting move at
him across the breakfast table.
In half an hour the pair were in Il cab
on their way to Mr.. Van Liths house.
Ann remained behind to care for the
fat
Van Lith's old colored butler stood at
the door to receive them and follow his
masters instructions, Treat them just
as if the house was theirs, Joe"
A ten dollar bill and a whispered con
ference with Joe soon let him into the
secret on what the young broker joyful
ly informed his wife was a rock bot
tom basis"
Old Mr.. Hanson's wrath had had time
to cool considerably on the journey from
Denver. 1t had hared up again when
he had traced his runaway daughter
and her husband to the unpretentious
down town flat, but being informed by
Ann, duly primed for the occasion, that
her master had made large fortune in
Wall street and had taken very hand
some house in an aristocratic quarter,
his ire had much abate9.
"When did you make your pile?' was
Mr.. Hanson's first question.
"Oh, months ago." replied Barker
with horrible effrontery. "Your daugh-
ter married me for love. l gave her
both love and money. That's the way
1t should be. Let's go in to lunch.
What's the matter, Joe? Isn't it ready?"
The old darky took him on one side
and whispered:
"Mars' Charles, thar amt er scrap er
meat in the house, 'cept what's been
done got fur the servants dinner"
Mr.. Barker remained gazing at the
old fellow for a full half minute. The
situation dazed him.
''Cant you-can't we have that? What
have they got for dinner anyway"
''A nice roas' Of mutton"
1.-THE very thing, Joe. Serve it i'm
mediately, and here, you folks buy some
thing more for yourselves. We mustn't
keep the guests waiting"
He handed the darky a dollar, and
the old fellow slowly pocl1eted it.
''Serve luncheon at once," ordered Mr.,
Barker, who was becoming impatient.
"What are YOU waiting fnr?''