The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-07-07
(F0r The Tlmes)
4 Slight Mistake.

Ni-H' ti'iah's
Seated AZ a table in the casl-room Of
the Metropolitan club we're Elliott. War
rem and Craig enjoying a social game
Of poker They We're I'm high spirits, as
was evidenced Boy the uninterrupted flow
OF conversation. sparkling with w.t. re-
partee. and raciness The soft radiance
OF the electric light fell alike upon the
snow hite head of Colonel Warren, the
coal black hair of Craig, and the PEE
culiar auburn locks of Ed. Elliott. They
had been sitting thus. playing, smoking,
and telling stories. for about an hour
when Henry Foster came lon and sat
down near them. Die looked pale and az
rated. and his fingers clutched nergousiy
the crmpiod sheet Of the Evening Cour-
icr which ha held in his hand. The mer-
rs trio looked ar him in surprise
What's the matter. old fellow asked
Elliott carolessly Lost any money!
go" he answered. Tom Meade Is
dead"
Elliott irrelevanly calculated "The
deucew The others were silent. Foster
continued.
Gle died at o'clock this afternoon,
Pretty bad case
Colonel Warren cleared his throat. and
asked
sudden. wasn't it? I think I saw him
this morning"
Eyes. rather sudden" responded Foster
dryly. che shot himself"
A murmur OF surprise and horror went
around the little circle. Cards We're laid
aside and all leaned forward 10 hear the
rest OF the story Foster told it briefly
in substance as follows.
Tom Mead was young stock broker
i. D. fHrH| .f
and generous disposition had won a host
of friends. and his popularity was Zee
markahle. III had. during the past week
met with two misfortuues-or what the
world would call such-he had lost ten
thousand dollars ON Reading railroad
stock. and his haucee mad elOped with
young fellow who was detested by
every man who knew him, am habitual
hOtcl-lObby and bar-rOOm l0afer. Tom
had really loved the woman. more than
any sensible man should love a woman
who pencils her eyebrows. rouges her
checks and Processes admiration for
every handsome man. regardless Of
character and intellect. lie took 10 very
much 20 heart. His friends had secret
Is rejoicod when they had heard Of the
elopement Of this pretty inane thing,
and hoped that Meade would wisely con-
cludc that her course OF action was for
his ultimate good.
But Is must have meant more 90 him
than any one supposed All were surpris-
cd az the unexpected ending OF what
might have been a brilliant career. Craig
remarked that Mead had always been
mighty queer" I'm his notions, wouldn't
drink. swear or gamble, but he never
thought that ne would become 50 insane
as 20 commit suicide.
The four club men agreed that the oc-
currence was deplorable, and acting
upon the suggestion Of Colonel Warren
they wrote a letter OF coincidence to the
fatrer Of the deceased and deposited the
epistle I'm the mail box outside OF the
door
Then they relghted their cigars and
began talking Of Mead. As is always
the case after a man dies. virtues hithcr-
20 undiscovered were ascribcd 20 him.
To speak figuratvely. his name was laud-
ed 10 the skies. and even Craig, who
had never before been known 20 speak
we'll Of any one. said that Tom had been
the best fellow in the club.
While old Warren was euloeiz.ng the
dead man in terms whose sad earnest
Less brought tears 20 the eyes OF his
hearers. a quick step was heard IN the
tdit anu ttt HRtt Viffttf'ts itf A""t W.
cupants OF the room looked az the new
Conner then at one another The slaid
old Colonel shocked them all By saying.
well, I'll be -" Tom Mead faultiess-
Is attired In evening dress. stood a pic
ture Of good humored perpleXity. looking
at thu. idiotic appearing Quartette.
What's the ioke?"
When they had recovered their COM
posure 70 a sufficient extent 10 make ex-
plantations possible. they all began talk
ing at once. Out OF the confusion Tom
gathered enough 70 make clear 20 him
their meaning He laughed merrily.
"The Tom Mead referred % In the cOur-
Ter was janitor Of our fiat. BY a peculiar
coincidence. our names We're the same.'
Mead shrugged his shoulders.
1.-THE money amounts 20 nothing. with
n little care can regain II In other ways.
As 70 her-God help the poor fellow who
married herr
They filed slowly out OF the club and
into the street Colonel Warren looked
at the latter box on the lamp post with
a dismal frown.
"Confound ~" he muttered, What
will Old man Mead think y rs when he
gets that letter OF condoience?'
Saying good night" 10 his compsn-
lens. he kicked viciously at passing
dog, chewed savagely on the end Of his
cigar, and sneaked down side street
toward home.
FRANK J. cRAIGIE. Jr.