Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1894-09-07
THE REVELATIONS OF A SHIRT
CUFF.


ments Of the conductor. Yet such was in
deed the case Like many another before
him. he had ''come out without any mon
ey." When asked for his fare, he felt
in his pocket with assurance; but when his
hand encountered no coin, he was seized
by s1adOwy misgying, which quickly
deepened into real uneasiness. de was,
in fact. rather awkwardly situated. AT
any rate and looking at the circumstances
in the most favorable light, he was placed
in a ridiculous position, and the eyes OF his
fellow-travelers were soon regarding him
in a manner that was not reassuring. Mr..
Fitz- Brown became very nervous. Ihe
conductor was waiting in stony silence to
be paid. AdOlphus began to stammer
something, when a good-natured looking
individual observed his discontinue, and
said heartily
"Whats the trouble? All! l see how
it is: you've left your money behind.
Well I'm good for your fare, anyhow
And with that this modern Good Samari-
tan took out twopence, and discharged an
obligation which had become very pressing
Adolphus thanked the stranger ELUSIVE
", and insisted on taking the name and ad-
dress of his benefactor. Though the latter
declared that it was not worth while both
ering about such trite, he was too polite
to resist the earnest solicitations of Mr..
Fitz- Brown, upon whose cuff the follow
ing note was eventually made:-
IN. Fortescue, 106, North Bank, st.
Johns Wood
Adolphus used to have a habit of writ
ing memoranda on his shirt cuff He has
relinquished that habit latterly.
Now, AdOlphus was an author, and the
business which took him by omnibus to
the city was business connected with
forthcoming publication. Arrived at his
publishers, he was politely informed that
the member of the firm whom he de-
sired to see had been compelled to go sud
denly to Birmingham. Would Mr.. FltZ-
Brown kindly call at four on Wednesday,,
if he could make it convenient? Certainly
he could, and would. And down went an
other note on his cuff.
Walking thence to his bankers, hard by,
he paid in cheques to the amount of some
$50. and drew out % for petty cash. As
he was about to leave the premises fault
lessly attired gentleman happened to
emerge from an inner room, and reminded
him that his account was overdrawn to the
extent of 500
"Why, l have just paid In e50!" said
Adolphus.
The gentleman's face momentarily be-
trayed considerable relief, which was stifled
as he added gravely:
"Well even so, that leaves you $50 out,
doesn't it?'
Now, Adolphus, like many people whose
banking accounts are not always ''satisfac-
tory''-to their bankers-had peculiarly
virtuous air when dealing with money
transactions.
'Of course that shall be put right at
once he said; Sin any event you shall
have at least G2j on Thursday without
fail"
He registered the vow in his usual way,
and, rafting his ''petty cash" in his pock-
ct, he repaired to BiIch,s for some lunch
con. At that deservedly popular resort he
encountered his old friend Stubbins, man
whom he had not seen for years, who in
formed him that his eldest daughter was to
be married on the following Saturday.
After a basin of turtle-soup and large
glass of punch he determined thai the
young lady ought certainly to receive
present. What should it be? a diamond
ring, of course! And he straghtway
booked the order, as it we're on himself.
Then he went home, and began to re-
read the manuscript of the novel which he
had been about to submit to his publishers
that very day.
Glow lucky" he exclaimed, "that the
man was away in Birmingham ! now
perceive that my heroine has too many
children. ] must get rid of one or two.
Let me see. Edith has fortune of tlO0,-
600, and two boys and three girls among
whom the money must be equally divided,
and they must all be wealthy. 10000
apiece is not what we nOveists call wealth.
One at least must be sacrificed but how
am | to do it unless / rewrite the whole
book? 1t wants consideration"
He had barely time to make a hurried
note, when the maid came in with two
letters. The first was from Major Steg-
gall to ask the great author to come and
shoot on the 27th instant at his country
seat ('I must see about my gun, soilo-
quized Adolphus) and the second conveyed
the intelligence that the celebrated detect
i've Mr.. Shiskey Humes had acceded to his
long-standing request to show him over an
opium den, and that he would await him
on Tower Hill at 9:15 on the following
Monday.
Adolphus was writing on his, by this
time, much soiled cuff, when his wife
called out that it was high time he went to
dress for dinner,
A week has passed, gentle reader; the
time is OLA, and on Tower Hill our hero
stands, waiting for the appearance of Mr..
Shiskey Humes. Adolphus felt cold, but
he was destined soon TO feel warmer; for
suddenly a well-known voice smote upon
his ear. 1t was the same voice that had
hidden him dress for dinner only seven
days ago.
''What? you here, Edith?" said the as
tonished novelist. "What can this mean?n
at means" replied his wife, as she led
her husband away, ''that l have, under
Providence, been the means'of preventing
a great crime. l am, / know, too late to
prevent a great wrong"
explain yourself, Edith" expOstulated
Adolphus. ~ am here on business-to
collect material for a new work.
81 do not doubt, )" replied his wife bitter
ly, that you may seek in opium an ano-
dyne for your corroded conscience; but
that, " she continued, with growing fervor,
shall not prevent me from doing my duty
as a woman, and, so far as in me lies,
safeguarding my innocent babes"
81 really do not understand you" said
AdOlphus simply.
"Come home at once" said Edith, who
did not deign to explain herself for the
present, 81 have been TO North bank, to