The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-05-10
SELECTED STORY.
I)uped.

a
journey from London while l remember
anything. was then young and mex
perienced, but sufficiently vain to think
myself paragon of wisdom. Like most
Londoners, ! thought that wonderful
city the very heart of the world and all
outside of it mere suburbs.
Well, one fine morning, which hap
pened to be the twenty-fist anniversary
of my existence, finding myself the lord
ly proprietor of 81 900, concluded to
celebrate my freedom by running over
to Paris and astonishing the natives. Fit
ting myself out in style that would
have made me the envy of a Pawnee
chief, procured my passport and en-
barked for Calais. There were great
many more persons going over than
had expected to see. but | consoled my
self with the probability that very few
of them were destined for Paris. and that
not single one of them was quite as well
dressed as myself.
was pacing the deck of the steamer
some two hours later when / felt light
tap on my shoulder and heard very
pleasant voice say
Pardon me. my lord, but may ven
ture to ask if you are destined for Paris?"
Now. | was in reality very far from
being lord or even the kin of IA lord.
but there was something so very agree
able i'll the title that | felt no special
anxiety to disown it, turned to the
speaker and beheld a rather handsome
well dressed young man of perhaps 25.
who smiled and held out his hand, ad-
ding:
III wager champagne supper, Wis
count, you are at one of your old tricks
again, travelling incognto. Well" he
continued heartily shaking my hand,
''well met, trust, and how are my Lord
and Lady Albyu?'
Drawing myself up with an air in
tended to show noble breeding, | said
very stiffiy:
You are mistaken. sir-Albyn is not
my family name.
"a thousand pardons, my lordv' ex-
claimed the other in surprise II see my
mistake now; you are not my old friend,
the viscount, but SO like him that better
eyes than mine have been deceived. Par
don me again if seem to trespass upon
your good nature by introducing myself
to your notice as the Hon. Robert Beau
fort, youngest son of Lord Cawdale."
Very happy, sir, to make your &C
quaintance," returned |, with very stiff
bow. But why" pursued, feeling in
ternally more f1attered than | wished to
have appear, and really delighted that
had come in contact with one of Eng
lands proud aristocracy, why do you
address me as if you knew me to be one
of the nobility
Because, my lord" your whole man
ner shows to an experienced eye you are
not commoner."
You are right" said |, with smile
intended to convey the impression that
his shrewdness had penetrated my dis
guise
II knew it, my lord~ he triumphantly
exclaimed, Il knew itr'
did not caution him against address,
ing me according to my supposed rank,
for besides the fact that the fiattering
sound was very agreeable to my ears |
counted on its being disclosed to or over
heard by others, and thus being mystic
riously elevated in their estimation.
Long before we had crossed the chan
mel the Hon. Mr. Beaufort and myself
had become very intimate. He had tray
eled great deal, and of course | was in
nck to fall in with him on this account.
to say nothing of his being son of a
lord. He was going to show me Paris
and French life, and must leave all to
him. He would look at my passport
and also overhaul my trunk and tell me
the exact amount Of duty | should have
to pay. This he did and then observed:
"Oh, a matter of 10 guineas will see
you through all right, my lord! Yours
Is mere trifle--I wish mine was as lit
tle--it will cost me cool 100, but sup
pose you left at home all except absolute
necessaries, as | ought to have done. BY
the way, as we are nearing Calais now.
you may just hand me the amount, and
Will arrange it without giving your
lordship any trouble whatever Yet
stay! he Immediately added, with a
vexed expression. what am thinking
ABOUT, TALKING money AFFAIRS to your lord
ship | understand these things, and I'll
arrange all. Put your baggage with mine,
and we'll make it all right at the end of
the journey"
l began to think it was going to cost
me something to keep up my title.
AS we drew near Calais all was excite
ment and hustle on board our steamer.
each one anxious to look out and get
possession of his baggage and otherwise
arrange for getting ashore at the earliest
possible moment As my friend had so
kindly volunteered to take all trouble
and responsibility off my hands, felt
very easy and contented and was anus
ing myself with the fleet of little boats
that had gathered around us when the
Hon. Mr.. Beaufort came hurrying up
and drew me apart from the others.
81 find, he said, II have not gold
enough to pay the duties and get us to
Paris. Could you oblige me with change
for $500 note?'
"Unfortunately," l replied 81 have
not more than 80 guineas in my posses
sion, the rest of my funds being in
draft on Delessert &, Co., Paris"