Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1893-06-08

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Charles Vane arose from sleep and
looked about the room. 1t was the
cobbler's shop. Pah! how it smelled Of
wax and gin!
lie looked into the glass. There
was the cobbler's face and fi We brief feet
OF stature. He glanced over the way
and saw himself stepping into a little
natty turnout.
The old man spoke the truth,
he said. I am abolt to taste humble
happiness
1t was not sweet at the first bite.
He Was conscious of a queer feeling
never experienced before. After a
while he began co believe that it was
hunger.
He began to remember also that he
had had no breakfast except piece Of
bread and an onion. lie looked around
for bell to ring for lunch. There was
no bell.
DO shoemakers starved? he asked
mentally. Just then the door opened.
Come till yez, mate !'yelled the ser
yant Of the house. 'Mlssus sez yes
maxim the other boar ders watt and
down went the last and the boot with
alacrity.
Led by some queer instinct, the new
shoemaker stumbled kitchenward and
saw at a table nine men, three women
and girl.
Charles Vane remembered having
envied Clint and his interchange of
kisses with his damsel at the shop door
Of moonlight nights, and to have writ
ten a poem on humble 1--we.
Alas, he now knew also that the
brassY ring with the glass stone upon
the damssl's finger was his engagement
ring.
The damsel was not ugly, but she
was coarse. Her finger nails were dark.
ly trimmed, she had her hair tucked
into net through which it poked its
ends at intervals. her apron was dirty
and her waist q yard about.
The agonies Of that dinner could new.
er be forgotten. Even his work shop
became paradise.
He rushed thther. Alas. there wal
ted laborer with his hod who wanted
bis brogan patched. At this soul rose
superior to sense. Mr.. Vane conquered
the cobblsr.
DO you expect me to mend such dir.
ty boots as those?' he said.
Dirty, be jIbers". yelled the man
and flew at him.
In vain did Mr.. Wand strive to
remember the manly art of self defense
acquired from Mr.. Punchmehat. He
was pounded to jelly, and Abigail
Sprat, hearing the disturbance (Ablgall
Sprlt was the damsel's nance, flew to
his rescue, wept over her ducky and
plastered him with brown paper and
vinegar.
When it smarted, Mr.. Vane against
his will said Ouch! Amt it tart. though:
You poor dear ducky,' said Abigail
Sprat, But III kiss EN- and make EN-
WELL
And she did.
At dusk Abigail Sprat proposed a
walk. He treated her to ginger beer.
He bought peanuts and they ate them
out of his handkerchief
H. returned in state Of indescriba-
BILE despair and sought his garret.
There he stared across at the hotel.
Somebody at its window looked also at
the moon.
Happy dog. thought Vane. 'He
will never change back again. Im
fixed for life. Oh what u fool I've been
what fool!'
Somebody on the other side Of the
street SAID in faint voice, audible by
some miraculous means. oh what a
fool I have been.
WHO'S that called Vane.
1 used to be Mr.. Clint. Now | am
Mr.. Vane. said the voice. oh amt l
wretched.'
You are only laughing at me- said
Vane.
Il amt. Oh, don't wonder you got
me in for it. it is awful.
what has happened to you,' said
Vane.
First place the dinner, had soup
and before I could eat is they took it
away and gave me fish, and that they
grabbed and gave me meat, and hadn't
nothin to eat but sweets aud things,
and my digestives is so hurt 1m sure
shall die.
Then amt got nothln TO do. and ]
have to be as stiff as post aud l am