Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-11
THE DIGGING OF A PIT
From the New York Times.


From the New York Times.
1t would be difficult to find a more charm
ing retreat from heat noise and fashion
those three essentials to a popular summer
resort-than Ashland among-the-H Hills" Its
climate well merited the encomium of "salu-
brious," which the hotel prospectus origi-
nally conferred upon II. And yet, when
young Mrs. Dupont told Mason Welles of
her impending departure thither, she de-
nounced the place as "poky," and its in
jewellers as "frights." Men are SO self
ish;'' Alice continued in half-serious COM
plant, Just because Paul delights to burn
| the bridge of his nose into a peel on that
ridiculous lake trying to catch FISH, not
there in the first place, and too wise to bite,
| In the second, l must endure the chatter
of mothers about their babies and the gasps
of invalids over the ozone. It's too provok-
Ing! There are heirs and airs. but their
incessant discussion Is not my ideal of en-
joyment."
'Supposing a friend should attempt the
diversion of a new subject by venturing
into this Wilderness" suggested the gallant
Mason.
Then a friend would be welcomed as a
friend indeed" replied Alice, with a smile
more coquettish than the meaning of her
impusive little heart.
For young Mrs. Dupont was not accus-
toned to weigh her words-on the principle,
likely, that such scant weight would be an
abomination. 1t was so much easier to
utter thc,n just as they flashed over her
mind. What becomes of a bubble when 1t
bursts? Thank goodness. sounds had not
a writings power of manifolding and repeti-
In re, box
ever, when she conldn't keep from medi-
tation, Alice would be ashamed of some
such idle speech and relieved that its echoes
had surely died away. She did not realize
that the memory of a vain man is a phono-
graph ever In readiness and ever retentive.
Alice felt truly that she had a grievance
against her husband; not that Paul wasn't
faithful, and kind and generous and all the
rest of the orthodox virtues; sometimes she
hated his amiable qualities. not only for
being virtuous, but also for their orthodoxy.
But there was too much assumption about
his regard. One did not quite like to be
treated as Il collectors specimen, to be
eagerly sought after. but when gained la
beled and placed on q shelf Courtship had
been too pleasant to Alice to be dismissed
as an episode: from her view it should re-
main as precedent
The very charm Of Paul the lover mill
tated against Paul the husband. Then he
rad been Jealous, ardent, intent only on her
happiness; now he was grave, distracted,
absorbed with the editing of his Scientific
Review, acceding to her wishes with Yes.
my dear, and Certainly, my love-" but
regarding them and her too as INTERRUPT
tions. Would not brute with a club be
preferable? There surely was an adyan-
tage in being noticed.
Il suppose those everlasting Mantell
twins VIII be there" remarked Alice on the
tfaln, when she was wearied of elinlinat-
ing telegraph poles from the scenery.
fhas a
queried Paul, not missing a line in
ifumpery contemporary critique. 'oh, yes;
l presume 500
Il believe" cried Alice. swinging around
her chair. Indignantly. IF l said Eeelze-
bub would be there in full caudal regalia
you would say, En-? An! 1 presume
so
- presume So my DEAR" replied Pa1l au-
tomatcally.
Now; the everlasting ManteIl twins So
phrOnia and Abigail, found the mountains
and woodlands roundabout Ashland COM
mensurate preserves for their intellectual
propensities. Had they been as intent on
suitors as they We're after wisdom, they
might have been deemed quite pretty hut
devotion TO geology and botany hal divest-
ed them of all adjoining superfuities. ard,
beyond "A common expression of surprise
resultant from pinching eyeglasses and
tautly-drawn hair. they lacked individua
ity. a hammer or a forled wand can never
become a substitute for the girde of Venus
Now, If these girls had ever shared a
thought more congruous with the latter
than with either of the form ar IL was cre
OF most respectful admiration toward Paul
Dupont.
A real editor a Minos and Rhadamanthus
combined, with the soul of Draco stirred
in who passed unalterl5le judgments on
trembling authors. Was a very .ovc TO
them. Why, perhaps some day their aspi-
rations, concentrated through pen and ink
and paper, might be brought before him.
Thus far. this Jove hal retained the PAN
oply of his glcrics for them ami they had
worshiped from afar; Yet, this humility
had not prevented them from exchanging
many shrewd coincidence over the incom-
patibility and grossnsss of his Juno, which
Juno with that uncrriu2 Intuition that
makes many si6dy young woman dis
Gainful of reason, lad not failed TO per-
ceiVe.
one glance over the dining room on their
| arrival assured Alice that all the "frights'
were present. The Mantell. sisters we've at
the same little table in the corner, with hair
and eyeglasses strain.ng out surprise, as IL
| they were just finishing the chicken begun
the summer before. Nor would that indu-
rated fowl suffer any wrong from such
| hypothesis.
There are your favorites," remarked
Alice.
Eth? All! oh. yes, presume So" NUT
tered Paul.
He was not at all alarmed when his wife
hastily left the table. Her appetite was
too capricious for calculation; its curve
would have furnished the most fantastic
nibble here and bite there; a fruit now
and 4 bonbon then: aCaroon shortly ard
an ice after little. One might just as well
set stated meals for canary. When, there
fore, after a deliberate combination, he
found her in an easy chair at the angle of
The piazza, with novel open on her lap
ard her toilet effectively arranged, Paul re-
n,emberel that there had been her favorite
seat the summer before and felt convinced
that she was having a good time So he
turned his attention 10 the subject of fish
ing. There was a boat TO be engaged and
choice pools to be discussed and tackle to
be arranged. Therccforward, with the calm
conscience of model husband, he devoted
himself to his sport. Perhaps an alignment
OF the net proceeds would have been an
ado aboat nothing; for he generally forgot
to bait the hook. But what would you
have?
The warmth of the sun seemed to renew
his tired brain, the breeze inspired strength
In the quiet or sparkle of the waters he saw
the continuance Of prosperity or the advent
of success. Had any one asked him how
Alice spent her time he would have regarded
the questioner like one inquiring as to the
first letter of the alphabet. why as all
women do, l presume" he would have an
swered, rather querucusly; ''she reads and
embroiders and drives and plays tennis And
there are hops and music. you know Mercy
she's so busy / see but little of her" And