The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-03-02
MR.. QUIPPS' "LAPSES."
How Fast Horses Spoiled His Prospective
Welded Bliss and Killed Him.

always seemed to 20 in pairs. Not TIN
admiration for a fine horse is bad for maj
but to admire Unfortunately is deplorabl
to say the least, unless one has more tim
and money than can br expended on the GU
tomary affairs of life. But inordinate hors
admiration and forgetfuness is an unfortr
nate combination, as poor Mrs. Quipps di,
covered many time to her cost. Sh
readily forgaye such trivial lapses Il
driving races around the store stove til
one o'clock in the morning and sprintin
Sleepy Jim up and down the avenue Will
dinner waited two hours but to have hin
make contract with 10 Wilkes to pain
the barn and make no provision for beauti
flying the house, and to start with him t
he Worlds Fair and have him buy but on,
ticket and engage Il room with single
bed, Just because there was "a man in the
party who had once driven Smuggler
these We're things which tried her long
suffering soul.
The DEAR patient woman soon after the
last named incident passed to that blessed
land where earthly trials are no more, and
her passing" was indirectly caused by
that unfortunate combination in her nus
bands character. She was taken ill one
afternoon and Mr.. Quipps was dispatched
n hot haste after the old family physician,
Dr. Spill. The old gentleman drove into
his yard with IA handsome bay mare just rs
Mr. Quipps reached the gate.
'Say, doctor, what beauty's that you We
got?' he asked standing off and critically
surveying her from ears to tip of tail.
"This is Ethel g., 2.20. Don't you
know herr"
SPY George! thought I'd seen her be-
fore. Where'd you get her?'
"Nat billy owned her last He took
sick two months ago, and-well, you see
his widow didn't want the mare and so |
took her on my bill and paid the boot.
The doctor was sort Of grim humorist in
his way.
Jonathan Quipps seated himself on a
DON anu commenced w "hiooiSt AA''Si '''N'
taking his eyes off the racy looking steed
while DIR. Spill Embarrassed and carefully
groomed her, in the meantime answering
innumerable questions regarding her age,
pedigree, and prospects for reaching the
. 10 mark. When he had finished his task,
which occupied about an hour, he turned
to his guest and said:
II believe I'm through now. Come into
the house, won't yOu?'
All at once the pangs of memory seized
NJ Ouipps. With CONSERVATION depicted
on his countenance, he exclaimed:
Good heavens, doctor! forgot: my
wife's awful sick and they want YOU to
come quick"
Dr. Spill gave him queer look, but
without word threw the harness on
Ethel and I'M few moments they were
speeding toward the suffering woman ut a
2.35 gait They found all the women OF
+ he neghborhood about her bedside, and
speculation running rife "a to what dire
catastrophe had detained Mr.. Quipps.
The doctor looked his patient over,
administered some medicine, and then
drew the conscience stricken husband to
one side and said:
~ fear it's hopeless case. If could
have seen her an hour earlier might
possibly have relieved her; but as it is
well, of course, while there's life there's
hope, and ri do what CAM
Z, just before the end came she drew her
husband to her and feebly whispered
You'll come soon wont you, dear?
Wen be so happy up there"
Poor soul She was thoroughly orthodox
and firmly believed there would be neither
horses nor forgetfulness in heaven.
Mr.. Quipps really thought great deal
Of his wife and incurred sincerely for three
months and day, after which he began TO
notice Betsy Stebbins, a bachelor maid OF
uncertain age, who lived on the next street.
Miss Stebbins Wac not averse to presiding
over Mr.. Qupps comfortable home, and
doubtless the union would have been con-
summated at the end Of the regulation IL
months only that the unfortunate gentle
mans unlucky combination interfered and
blasted all his hopes of happiness with the
comely maid.
Old Mr.. Stebbins chronic cough reached
a fatal termination during the second week
in Nav, and as he had been shining light
in the leading church, and an honored
Justice of the peace for many years, his
funeral was the event Of the year in the
little village. Mr.. Quipps, as was right
and proper under the circumstances, was
early on the scene; and while he was not
permitted to sit IN the room with the
mourning friends, yet he managed to edge
his way to the door and cast many comfort
ing chances at the weeping Betsy, while the
minister prayed for "the daughter no"
left desolate and lonely, and who Will BIT
Obliged to face the future without close Oh
dear companionship.
But it was after the ceremony was con
cluded that the trouble began. Mr.. Quipp
was sitting in his buggy waiting to taxi
b;s nloce in the procession when all a