The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-07-29
Select Storp.
BARKER.
From All the Year Round.

l think may safely say that Barker has
been the bane of my existence. We were
at school together, and he made me break
the rules so often that was never free
from punishment or ever able to come
within measurable distance of the height
of my ambition-the good-conduct prize.
When demonstrated with him, he said it
did not NATTER only muffs ever got conduct
prizes; but it did matter. My aunt had
promised to give me sovereign the first
time brought home a prize, and, thanks
to Barker, she has that sovereign still.
Later in life we found ourselves in the
same office in the city. Barker attached
himself to me on the strength of our old
schoolfellowship, and again made my life
miserable. He is bumptious, selfassert-
i've, healthy, athletic sort of man, is Barker,
while | am modest and nervous. He
forced himself upon me, and then did the
most reckless things imaginable without a
Thought of what the consequences might
be- He would, even without ticket, enter
train in motion sooner than miss it, and,
what was worse, if | was with him he
would drag me in after him. If | ven
tured to hint that we were breaking the
bylaws and might be summoned, he laughed
and said it would be all right. According
to Barker, whatever he did that he should
not have done would be all right-and |
must say he was lucky.
The ticket-collectors always took his
word and his money without even limiting
that he had been trying to defraud the
company, and porters have actually aided
and abetted him by opening doors and say
ing, "Come along, sir, when they ought
to have stopped him-but then Barker
always tips porters.
He had tandem tricycle., too, and he
made me 90 for rides on it with him. As
soon as we were out of town, he didn't care
much what he did. If we passed nice
park or wood, he would propose that We
should turn in and have smoke, and when
| pointed out that there was board up
threatening trespassers with prosecution,
he would laugh, and, as usual, say it would
be all right. He always left the lamp be-
hind, assuring me that we should be back
before dark, but we never were, and Tor
the last mile or two ! used to ride in fear
and trembling, though we were never
stopped. | believe Barker bribed the
police.
Luckily | consulted my doctor about
tricycling, and he said was too nervous
for it. so Barker had to find another vic
tim. joined a lawn-tennis club-Barker
said tennis was all right when men played
alone, but that women turned it into a
babies game, so thought | should be
free from him there-and through that
became engaged to Sophy Bell. We had
been engaged some time when we had a
little discussion about going to the theatre,
which led to-but you will see what it led
to if you read to the end; so, without fur
ther explanation, | will reproduce as much
of it as concerns my story.
ideally, Algernon,- don't much care
about going at all, said Sophy; but there
were tears in her eyes as she spoke, and
knew that she did care, therefore l spoke
firmly, but mildly insisted upon my point.
'That is nonsense l said. "You know
you have been looking forward to it for
months. Three weeks ago you asked me
whether had got the tickets yet. :"
"Yes, but then" she began, and
stopped. Then, apparently recognizing
how foolish she had been, she sighed and
added "Never mind, dear. III 90 il
you wish it. :
"Of course, ] wish to give you pleasure,
sophy," / replied. "And, really, the gal
lery is
aOh | for goodness sake, don't begin
all that over again, she interrupted, speak
ing with tartness that surprised me-
sIt's settled now, and I will be ready by
half-past six. Mind you're not late, sir.
eBut, sophy," | protested, ''if come
down for you, it will cost me threspence
each way, and besides there is no time.
The doors open at 7.3O, and we ought to
be there at least three-quarteFs of an hour
before that. Suppose you meet me IN
front of St. Paul's at six. We can easily
walk from there.
She gave me glance the meaning OF
which | could not fathom, then sighed
again. and said she would be there ex-
planned to her how, by starting in good
time and walking part OF the way, she
could save penny in bus fare, and we
parted in the usual manner
As walked home, thought that per-