The Irish standard., 1896-02-08
A. VACATION vAGARY.
fcopyrieht. ,ss,. BY J. 3. Lippineott co.]

A. VACATION vAGARY.
=. y Whatever brought you to Tregar-
then, Mr.. Ringbrand? 1t seems to me
to be theslast place in the world where
an author could hope to find material"
"Who has been accusing me of any
such intention, Mrs. Ludlow
"Why, an accusation isn't necessary;
). everyone knows that when an author
can be induced to exchange the literary
atmosphere of his respected Boston, or
his beloved New York, for the prosaic
surroundings of dingy little coal
mining village in the Tennessee noun
tains. there must be a stronger motive
than mere sightseer's curiosity
perhaps you are right. And yet
think you are a little severe; if one were
seeking inspiration, what could be
more uplifting than that" -waving his
! hand with a comprehensive gesture to-
ward the moonlit picture of valley and
mountain framed by the pillars of the
a moment ago, couldn't give sem
sible reason for coming here-inasmuch
as did not know that you were hiber-
mating in Tregarthen. I'm not sure
which was the more surprised when
we met this morning, Ludlow or my
self. Ihad lost track of you years ago"
'But we hadn't of vou-thanks to the
magazines. And that brings me back;
what can you find worth studying
, here?"
Ringbrand laughed. "You positive
IT,, f,,o $oI NO.
haps couldn't find anything. but from
the little I've seen of place and people
~ should say there was . perfect mine
= Of, storytelling, material if one would
take. the trouble to develop it,. -,
81 can't see where you would find it."
Il That's because you live here; you're
!, :.sst,na BILE TO. get: the perspective of .un-
familiarity on the quaintness of the
people or the beauty, of the scenery.
The things that are curious and inter
/. esting' to a newcomer are commonplace
to you, because you see them every day"
Tim sure it's very nice of You to put
it in that way; one likes to be told that
one comes short of genius only in--un-
familiarity. But you haven't told me
yet why yon came to Tregarthen."
= "'Mrs. Ludlow, you're positively :in-
corrigible. / assure you l left New
York a week ago with only one clearly
F. defined idea; that was that I was over
worked and weary and needed a vaca-
: ton. Everybody goes to Europe and
TO the resorts in summer, and I wanted
TO get away from the crowd; if you
s. please. you may call that reason for
my coming south. My ticket ran out
at Nashville, hut the quiet of your
: beautiful capital city didn't compensate
for the unspeakable heat, so took to
the road again, with Asheville for des
!, tination.'
THAT'S all beautifully clear and
reasonable up to a certain point, Mr..
Ringbrand. Now, if you will only tell
me what possessed you to leave your
(. comfortable parlor car to come away
(, up here on a coal train, I'll be satisfied
The shadow ON the veranda prevent
ID the lady from seeing the look of en-
,arrassment that fitted across the face
VI her visitor, and his hesitation in re-
,lying was fortunately covered by the
entrance of his host. ''Sit down here,
ludlow" he said; s"Nfrs. Ludlow has
had me in the confessional for the last
: half hour, and / was just upon the
point of connecting pure fabrication
1 20 account for my being in Tregarthen.
Can't you. explain to her that a man
5+ss@ nay sometimes do unaccountable
~ things?''
Zone would think an explanation
wouldn't be necessary" replied Ludlow,
ynicaIly, tossing his hat into the hall
md drawing up a. chair. Lets see,
low long havewe beenmarried. Helen?"
"Long enough to make me very Gu
ious and inquisitive, as Mr.. Ringbrand
just finding out. He confesses that
re didn't know we were here, and he
ant give any plausible reason for Civ
ng up his trip to Asheville."
I'm not surprised; if the Tregar-
!. hen Coal & Iron company could get
! dong without a superintendent for
!. month or such matter, l believe I'd go
s sff ard do something. unacceuntable
3 myself; it's part of my creed that
7: nan should be totally irresponsible on
vacation, But see here, Ringbrand,
you're going. to stay in Tregarthen
!oA w SOI W willy W IA
20 have you put up at that miserable
excuse for q hotel tlown4in the village.
You'n die Of dyspepsia In a week"
"You are Good Samaritans," replied
Ringbrand, laughing; "I've got it al
:. acknowledgements, mean. Why, Mrs.
ludlow, you've no conception of what
they've been making me eatdown there!
For breakfast had salt bacon, biscuits |
and potatoes; for dinner there were
potatoes, biscuits and salt bacon; and
flor supper they varied the bill of fare
oy leaving out the potatoes. And the
biscuits-upon my soul, yon never saw
anything like them in your life!'
''oh. yes, I have, . responded the lady,
!, cheerfully; ''let me describe them:
they were about half an inch thick, and
& when yo,l took ono between your
Z thumb and finger, so, you could press
!, the grease out of thesedge. But didn't
they give you any coffee"
S8Fs II think not; certainly had some
thing to drink, but I'm quite positive
Il - ~ ---- 7-