Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-04-09
MY LAST SERENADE.

hunp- one having already adopted al
orphan girl, and not wishing to be plagued
with pair, promptly packed me off to a
boarding school. Here | remained, holi
days included, till | attained my eighteenth
year. Not till then did Aunt Matilda con
descend to receive me.
She did not greet me with much warmth
She kissed me and thea rewarded a fat
poodle which nestled in her lap with the
same attention
You have grown very much like your
fool of a father"
Pardon me, auHtie," said l. astounded
at this Introductory remark; you men
tiOned"--
Your father, blockheadW she snaDped
Whatever my poor sister saw in such a
match passes my comprehension. Moth
ing but ne'er-do-well, good -for-noth-
ing"--
Excuse me, aunt" / demonstrated.
but hadn't we better change the subject
The weather is very sultry."
She laughed outright.
Il am pleased to find you are not the
same easy going fool he was. l 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 fu-
ture wife"
stood open mouthed with amazement.
Don't stand staring there you BOBBY. 4"
my wife," gasped
Yes; ] suppose you may as well know
first as last, ! will leave you my fortune
-E2O 900 in consols-but only on condition
that you marry Louise, you understand"
Yes, aunt" | responded feebly. Fol
lowing her was introduced to Louise and
at once fell in with my aunt's proposals.
She was lovely. | don't think it would
have needed my aunts fortune as an in
centive to falling at once in love with her
Dark, with splendid hazel eyes, laughing
mouth and pure, transparent skin, she was
indeed picture Of youth and beauty. She
received me graciously, and | could see
that my aunt was pleased with the impress
sion she had made. A few days after Aunt
Matilda preached my future.
81 don't want TO see you about the house
idly wasting your time" she said. you
must adopt some profession. Now, to what
do you incliney"
81 think the army would suit me-" I
suggested.
"Oh, yes" she retorted sarcasticallv.
"A future field marshal in embryol No,
no; you must learn something useful, not
the art Of cutting your fellow men to
pieces. What do You say to a doctor?"
That's only another way of cutting nv
fellow men to pieces. | don't think /
should make a good doctor"
"You haven't the necessary gumption to
make good lawyer, | think the best
thing you can do is to enter the civil serv-
ice"
Protest was useless, and my aunt had
her own way So shortly after passed
my examination and became a member of
her majestys civil service. [ had my own
quarters, which decent allowance from
my aunt enabled me to keep up, and l oc-
casionally visited her at the snug little
Hampstead village
Thus imagined myself handsomely pro
vided for with fortune, and an amiable
bride in prospective, On the strength of
the former | obtained plenty Of credit,
staid out late with jovial companions and
should no doubt have gone to the dogs had
not been hauled up shortly by the events
am about to relate.
Out Of my first quarters allowance from
Aunt Matilda I 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-although by that time | re
garded it as a bad debit ventured to re-
mark that | should like to see the princi-
pal, and would willingly waive all claim
to the interest,
my dear fellow" was his reply. q
would pay you with all the pleasure in the
world, but unfortunately am completely
stumped."
saw no chance Of its recovery, but de,
termined to press him little
Couldn't you manage to pay so much
month";
Vague improbability, old chap. have
my next three months screw.
But-a good idea-f have a French horn,
regular beauty worth ten grineas, and
dirt cheap at that. Now, take it, like
good fellow, and cancel the debt"
But what on earth do | want with a
French hOrn2 It's OF no use to the"
"Then create a use for it, Add to your
many accomplishments that Of musical
You've "A splendid lip" he con
tinued artfully; Just the cut for the in
strument Now. old chap, make me eter
nally grateful by accepting a magnificent
bargain | assure YOU
NbbN biA' iA7Ni NlANlAbs anu AlNill IAtN httlt
my troubles began.
In three days / had to find fresh lodc
ings. | stayed at the next "A week tried
a boarding house and was presented with
three days board and lodging gratis and
my boxes bundled into the street. Nothing
| tried again and hit on my pres.
ent diggings, with u motherly old soul for
to whom I conveyed my orders
through the medium OF huge speaking
and ON whom the trumpets
which blew around Jericho would have
produced no effect.
Up to this period the course of my love
had been perfectly smooth, when who
should turn up but "A cousin Of Louisas,
Tom Medium. He had been out to Aus.
tralia to try his fortune, but after a so
journ 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 loating till he found some
thing better TO do.
[ was Jealous of this Hercules He stood |