The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1895-10-02
A PRACTICAL JOKE.
BY f. q. PHILIPS.

It did not end happily, not for Harry
Seymour, that is to say; built provided
some excellent entertainment while it
lasted, and is talked about in Wickets-
field to-day. We were all of us staying
in Wicketsfeld, and Seymour had
fallen a victim to the destinations of
Miss Norah Cardonnel; possibly because
Wicketsfeld is dull little watering
place, and there was nothing else to
do; possibly because he knew, or at
least suspected, that she was worshiped
by Stephen Lambs worthy, and Stephen
Lambsworthy was his especial bette
noire.
do not want to attribute unworthy
motives to him; as a matter of fact,
liked him very much; SO let us give
him the benefit of the doubt, and say
he had grown to adore Miss Cardonnel
because Miss Cardonnel was adorable.
Anyhow it was plain that he was hope
lessly in love, and though had been
honored by Lambsworthy's confidence
in the matter, personally did not give
much for his chances.
No two fellows could possibly have
been more unlike than Stephen and
Harry Seymour. Harry, dashing, good
humored, high-spirited and handsome;
Stephen, meek, nervous and with next
to nothing to say for himself. That
both were very young was their only
point of resemblance. thought l had
gagged Miss Cardonnel's character suf-
ficiently to prophesy which of her ad-
mirers would be accepted, presuming
they both proposed, and confess l
was startled when Seymour displayed
such strong irritation at the news that
Lambsworthy was expected on the
scene.
''Confound him!'' he said, what does
he want here? Can't he read in town
just as well?" eve were supposed to
be examining for an exam, the three
of us.) "What does he want to come
bothering here for?"
''Well, you forget" said; Lambs
worthy may be said to be the discov-
erer of Wicketsfeld. At all events,
neither you nor l would ever have
come down here if it had not been that
he was always talking about it. We
should never even have known the
Cardonnels but for him-remember
that"
Seymour growled. It was fact that
Lambsworthy had introduced us to
them, and Harry never cared 10 he re-
minded of it.
II don't want him." he said; II don't
get on. with him; he is your friend, not
mine, and he bores me. He is like a
young lady, and he wears spectacles. !"
HE wears spectacles because he is
short-sighted," observed; land as to
being like young lady, that is all rot,
Seymour! Anyhow, if he is such a
complete duffer, why need you mind
his coming?"
What do you mean?" asked Harry,
sharply.
You are annoyed at his arrival be-
cause you are afraid you may find your
nose out of joint when he appears. 1
say if he is such duffer why need you
be alarmed?"
''Oh! pooh, pooh, rubbish!' said Sey-
mour. II afraid of Stephen Lambs
worthy? That is too rich!-that is
really funny!' He made loud noise,
which understood was meant to rep
resent laughter. you won't beat that
if you talk for month. Ha, ha, ha!
Why, you don't mean to tell me you
suppose for single instant that girl
like Miss Cardonnel would seriously
consider throwing herself away on a
noodle like Lambsworthy?-a fabby,
invertebrate, feeble, faltering bundle
of nerves like Lambsworthy! Good
Heavens! Afraid! Afraid of Lambs
worthy! Ha, ha, HAP
well, that's all right" 1 said; 81
am glad for your sake you are SO conf
dent. l assume, however, that you
won't deny she encouraged him when
we all came down here? Because I
saw her with you, and l saw her with
him, and I say she did!"
''She firted with him." said Sey-
mour, tolerantly; ''she firted with him
a little, yes! Why not? A girl must
amuse herself. l do not complain of
that"
That's lucky" Ireplied; singular
~ fortunate-for your own peace of
mind. His letter says he will be with