Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1896-03-20
A Modern Rip Van Wrinkle.
Written for the HERALD.

Written for the HERALD.
Mr.. Valentine Farney stood upon the
front steps of his house, wearing new
coat and a happy, cOntented smile. He
was not there posing for a living picture,
but awaiting the morning omnibus which
should take him to his destination in the
great city of London. The new coat was
a periodical sight, but the smile was alto
gethcr a novelty. But there it was on
his business moulded face, as homogeneous
as butterfly on telegraph pole. His
wife had viewed it with amazement, while
the eldest boy, who the day previously
had read 1T is a wise child who knows
his own father, began TO believe there
really was something in the proverb.
Presently the bus appeared and as MIR.
Farney mounted the steps, his spirits
seemed to ascend likewise. The regular
passengers and the driver noticed his eX-
preston and muttered suggestions of
legacy" new baby" etc, passed
around. They bowled along through
Regent street, that wonderful cream col
ored crescent of merchandise, until they
reached the riot famed region of Trafal-
gar Square.
Although not yet 8 a, m. small
crowd of socialists, anarchists, toughs,
thieves and loafers we're congregated
there, and as the vehicle drove past Mr..
Farney murmured to himself the words
of then popular opera; with melan-
tie aud dynamite and nitro-glycerine
blow the new one in, and smiled more
| brightly than eier. However he forgot
all about this little incident before he
arrived at the Bank of England, where
his ride terminated, and by the time lac
had reached his Office he presented his
usual calm and collected aspect.
The office boy had not putin an appear
ance (office boys never do. until after the
head of the firm so Mr.. Farney let him
SCH Ill CNSudIl-Cu MS nSW N'tt iol q ISss
pretentious garment and sat down at his
desk
He was one of the buyers for the house
of Oolong & Pekoe, tea merchants, and
it was the end of the first season which
as everybody knows is from May until
Tulv. The past three months had been a
particularly busy time for Mr.. Farnev
and he was anticipating a we'll deserved
holiday at the end of the very week il
which this strange event now to be de
scribed occurred.
As we have said he sat at his desk, anc
he began to think of the possible quality
of their last consignment of tea per steam
ship Glenfruin from China. Ponderin!
over this his thoughts wandered to thu
Chinese and their delightfully."- cool cos
tunes tossed about by gentle breezes
The idea of breezes suggested trees, ant
trees birds; then he seemed to hear then
singing. the singing took the shape of
lullaby melody; then the fascinating fore
of his combined thought concerning ships
breezes, birds and music proved too niue
for Mr.. Farney's business instincts, tn
papers before him seemed to disappea
into clouds, the walls of the room grew
larger and larger, his head fell forwar
upon his desk, and without any questio
Mr., Farney was asleep.
He awoke With start, looked at hi
watch and almost blushed to find he ha
slept for half an hour. He was about t
take up the papers before him when tn
office door was opened and man entere
and began to dust the room.
: Sorry am so late, sir, said this ind
yidual. II know | should have had thi
done an hour ago but was rushed TO
time this morning.
: Mr.. Farney looked at him, but he wa
stranger. What has become of til
: other janitor?" he enqured.
"Don't know I'm sure" replied the mar
"I've been here for two years nearly"
> Mr.. Farney stared but said nothing
!. supposing the man had just joined som
! temperance organization. He turne
= back to his work only to be interrupte
&c by the postman this time. Hello" |
II said, whats the matter with our regt
. lar man ?"
IL Regular man." shifted the transports
. of mail, Owe been on this beat thrt
} years come September, what are 20
e talking about"
u This considerably staggered Mr.. Fa
y ney. but he said nothing further. H
~ again attempted to fix his attention o
= the paper before him when the doc
:" opened for the third time and adnlitte
y rosy checked painting boy of fourtee
:. years or so.
- "Got ahead Of old Pekoe this morning
- but had to run for it though" said tn
y young gentleman to himself, and the
-, catching sight of the figure at the desk
- gave long low whistle after the mann
of his kind and returned Mr.. Farney
III surprised stare with interest,
y Who are your" asked the latter.
D "Well, that's cool" returned the bo
Who are you should like to know"
do you kno who you are talking to!
Id said the elder man angrily.