The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1895-02-14

olIOiiN bC u Z
creed by fate to wear it in the common
place atmosphere of a mercantile life,
but thus it was.
To behold Mr. Podd on a Sunday
afternoon, or on some evening, after
the multitudinous affairs of business
had ceased until the morrow, one would
almost have been led to believe that
the baptismal name was scarcely ade-
quatc to the man, for when Mr.. Podd
had cast aside the enthralling shackles
of dependent circumstances and stood
forth in the full freedom Of a small
salaried clerk of duty. he might readily
have been mistaken for a railroad mag
nate. or a bank official with an evident
inclination toward some country where
extradition law is not.
At such periods it required an ex-
ceedingly imaginative brain to grasp
the thought that the individual who
whirled past in the newest and most
stylish of rigs-to the utter humiliation
of his weeks salary-or who occupied
one of a reserved pair of orchestral
chairs, front, was but the same person
who smilingly tore down one side of
dry goods establishment to enable
some undecided female to select spool
of thread or who rewOund yards upon
yards of IIamburgs and other decora-
tive goods which similar consistent
creatures had examined with thor
oughness known only to the feminine
mind.
Mr.. Podd cherished intentions, which,
if rightly matured, as they certainly
would be in the course of human events,
would give to his existence that couleur
de rose which the poets affirm consti-
tutes earthly felicity,
Mr. Podd's intentions were of a matri-
monial nature.
He loved.
In this case the sentiment was a
species of mild insanity that often at
taclls young men of marriagable age
and an unmarriageable salary, and Mr..
Podd exhibited many of the symptoms
in an aggravated form.
He took in two or three extra squares
each day in walking to and from his
place of business that he might pass
the abode which sheltered the idol OF
HIS SOul, LllNl HSl IlItilAS-' W INNN S'l w -
by a smile, or bow of recognition from
the fair occupant.
The fair being who thus agitated the
placidity of Mr.. Podd's existence was
Miss Melinda Smythe-her father
spelled it Smith in bygone days.
This maiden dwelt with her mother
whose small income was obtained by
working early and late at dressmall
ing.
Miss Melinda led a lily-of- the-felG
existence, and while her. mother
drudged and cooked, and seweC
in the little back room, her daughter
received in the front apartment, OF
went out to concerts and theaters, from
which she brought back lyrical souven
IRIS 20 be distributed, with the aid of {
cheap rented piano, to the neighbor
hood at frequent intervals.
From the experiment of Miss Melind;
in public, one was led to regret that ;
life of fashionable dissipation haC
brought ennui to so young Il creature
and when she referred to our resi-
dence," it was in tone that at once
suggested a brown-stone front, plat(
glass, a0d an extensive retinuc.
In Mr.. Podd's eyes, her bearing wa'
simply regal, and he rejoiced in Tho
distingue atmosphere of her presence
unmindful of any doubts Of its genu
inenesS.
Miss Melinda had gained her knowl
edge of aristocratic department from
theatrical boards and the pages of tina
romantic school of literature she de
lighted in devouring in prodigiou
quantities, but as Mr.. Podd's ideas hat
been generated by the same equivoca
source, he detected none of the flaw
patent to more acute or less interest
ed person.
Mr.. Podds lodgings comprised til
most economical part of his eXis
tencc, being in an obscure street
in building that wore the look of al
ject-genteel poverty. Considering tn
,dispiriting surrounding, it is little mai
vel that Mr.. Podd frequently sough
the charming companionship of Mis-