The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1894-06-07
That FRIEND Of SYLWA'S
Written for This Paper By Grant
Allen

mental or an undcrling. French. as
Observed, | neither know nor desire to
lea n: but insist upon the purity Of
our native language. 1t is with me a
Icrfect passion.
"Jow.cs," said severely, raising my
forfinger in disapprobation, I'm aston
ishcd that you. aft + twenty years in
my cr.icc, should still be unable to SAY
'Ludgate Hill correctly. Your pro-
nunciation of the words is unworthy of
a bog-trotter. 1t betrays the ungrace-
once to your own loom in the Offio 9,
sir. and say 'Ludgate Hill to yourself
twenty times over. till YOU feel perfect
~ certain that you can manage the as
pirate.
Jowlcs went off like a lamb (clpital
subordinate. JOwle5, and in half an
hour or less returned with the Brad
shaw" and the carefully conned re-
mark:
Train leaves Ludgate Hill at 1910
tomorrow, sir.
Not so much effort about it, .Jowles. ="
| said. condescendingly, with an en-
cOuraging smile. No quite so much
effort about it. But you mean it we'll.
and at any rate, that's a distinct i'm
prOvement."
81 at 1890 the very next morning
was whirling away, post haste, through
the county Of Kent on my way south,
to inspect the man Hampton.
CHAPTER II.
l left London paralyzed with fog and
snow. l found Antilles smiling among
palm trees and roses. AS a general
rule dislike the continent: but | will
admit that the climate of the South Of
France has certain advantages.
AS soon as l got there l saw at a
glance | wasn't minute too soon to
checkmate this man Hampton. Maria
and Sylvia were full of his name. 1t
was Mr.. Hampton this, Mr.. Hampton
that, MIR. Hampton the other thing eX-
actly as in the letters. When 1 spoke
of him to Sylvia the girl blushed vi,i-
bly,. l made a mental note of that.
Her blush spoke Volumes She was
deeply in love, it was clear, with the
man Hampton.
shall | see the fellow tonight,
Maria?" l asked at last in my sevcrest
voice. for | was anxious to observe him
and report upon his chances at the
earliest possible moment.
why, of course, Norman" my wife
replied, with il smile. He'll come to
the table d'hote. He's delightful
young man, you know, SO handstm me and
gentlemanIy.
Him." | replied; handsome and
gentcmanly, is he: All, yes, l dare
say. | know the sort. Some beggarly
young fellow, no doubt. who spends ali
he has on dressing we'll, in order to
make an impression on some other
mans daughter. Handsome and gem
tlcmanly, is he? The disgracc,ul
young upstart. I'll teach him how to
be handsome. I'll soon take it out of
him.
We'll, but Norman, dear" my wife
began: Il assure you. really, he's the
very incest young man.
cut her short at once. | drew my
self up to my tallest elevation. Five
feet six is not. perhaps, in itself a COM
handing height, admit. but flatter
myself that when | draw myself up to
it. and hold my chin erect, | look as
imposing person As any OF my eqr ais.
Not word. Maria" l said. waving
my left hand toward her with a COM
manding air. I'll not hear word
about him. won't be p,ejudiced |
hate prejudiccs. I'm going to inspect
the young man myself by and by, and
see what think of him. | am some
Judge of character. hope and believe,
and if he's really a fortunehunter. as
l take him to be. Ill soon find it out.
He won't impose up me, so it's no use
trying it."
Maria had lived with me quite long
enough to know that when l say q
thing really mean it. No paltering
with WOrthistan & Co.. at home OF
abroad. She dldn att mpt to continue
her abortive remarks in Mr.. Hamp
tons favor. She held her tongue like
|