The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-02-03

one But | was not saving penny, and
my home folks never saw me except at the
table. Even poor old patient mother was
complaining.
But l was having lots Of fun. There
was that Beaufort girl-she was fine one.
Could dance any dance, talk about anything
and make you have the finest time in the
world.
Then there was Vene Wright. She
would play game with fellow, go row.
ing skating anything for fun. Then,
Vene had money; that was an important
item, Why shouldn't tackle Miss Vene
on the subject of matrimony
Thomas, old son, said to myself, Vene
is the one.
But Vene somehow or other did not ex-
actly suit the case, and my mind reverted
to Miss Beaufort, who was smart, pretty,
stylish and suited better, but l knew moth
ing about her financial standing This
was an important matter to me in those
days.
Meanwhile the carriage approached Miss
Beaufort's. | had never been there before,
and to my surprise / found it to be very
unpretentious house. | confess was dis
appointed. expected to drive up to an
elegant mansion, be ushered into fine re-
ception room by servant in livery and
there await the coming of Miss Beaufort.
Then | expected to make bold dash for
her heart-propose, and possibly be ac-
cepted or declined by the time the party
was over.
But not so. A little lady with gray
hair opened the door, and she was intro
duced to me by Miss Beaufort as mamma.
Miss Beaufort was ready and waiting, so
we walked out to the carriage.
Mr.. Silver, said she, after we had seated
ourselves, don't you think there is great
amount of snobbery in society and lots of
downright foolishness?
Well, yes, said l.
For instance, said she, here is an ele-
giant carriage that you have brought for
me, and yet the party is not half mile
away.
This was certainly very refreshing. l
had actually squandered one pound to have
this carriage for the evening, and she was
not pleased with it. I knew Vene would
have enjoyed ride in it
i Mr.. Silver, she remarked again, this is
the last party am going to this winter.
Well, why? said |. Aren't you going
to take in the German club ball and the
others I?
No, said she. Mamma hasn 'tthe money;
she can't afford it. Besides, Mr. Silver,
she continued, can you really afford to
spend so much money on society?
| looked at her. There was honesty
fairly shining out Of her pretty black eyes,
even if she wasn't very polite, so | answered
her honestly.
No, Miss Beaufort, Icannot | haven't
saved a penny this winter, and get big
salary too. 1t seems idiotic.
have met you so frequently feel quite
well acquainted with you, though | expect
| have been little impolite.
No, said l. am glad that you take
that much interest in me-
Then we changed the subject had
splendid time at the party and enjoyed
Miss Beauforts company very much.
found her level headed and bright if she
was too frank
The next day | told mother about it.
She said she admired Miss Beaufort for
her common sense, though she had never
seen her. Then she referred again to my
getting married.
Suppose, said she, that you pretend for
week or so that you are married and see
how it goes
An imitation wife, said |.
Why not +? she said. will write the
name of young lady on card, seal it in
an envelope and you can lock it in your
desk. Then let us suppose you are mar
ried to her for say two weeks. During
that time | want You to act just as if the
lady were here in person and your law
fully welded wife.
Whose name are you going to write on
the card? said L
Never mind, said she will write my
preference and neither of us will breathe
a word about his TO living soul
We agreed on this. Mother wrote the.
name on the card and sealed it in the en-
vclope. | knew it was Vene Wright's
name, 50 decided to imagine that yene
was there in person, and so we commenced
the week.
Monday night came. That was the
night Of the German club ball; but .staid
at home and talked to mother Then f
played drafts with her for awhile, and we
managed to have very enjoyable evening
Next morning mother met me at the
table with smiles and about the best break
fast I had eaten for long while
You must imagine that your wife saw 10
this breakfast she whispered.