Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1897-04-24

u \ 4 we bOth lived, ana
~SN he had shouted as
the train moved
49, away that he would
write in the course
{ ~ OF day or two. I
@0 remembered h i m
~ well--a seedy look
ing figure in we'll worn brown over
coat, a rather dirty collar round his
throat, and an old topper that had
done duty for many rainy day. and
was past ironing. A merry.hearted,
good. natured fellow was Rudge; ever
empty of pocket and open OF heart;
rather weak-minded, and easily i'm
posed upon.
He never kept his promise of writ
ing, and for eight years l had heard
nothing of him, when, not long ago, a
rap came at my door, and in came
Charlie Rudgc, exclaiming:
"Hullo, old chap, how are you?
drudge! Why, who on earth would
have thought of seeing you?"
Didn't know you were in town,
old boy, or I'd have come before. Saw
your name in some paper the other
day and your address. So here am. !"
As we talked over old times l OBJ.
served him curiously. just the same
old Rudge, with the addition of a
heavy moustache. His hat was exactly
like the same old topper, very napless /;
his collar might have been the iden-
tical one he had on when last saw
him, while his shirt front and frock
coat were rivaling each other in de-
crepit old age. asked him to lunch.
At first he could not stay, having a
most important engagement in the
city, where ho was about, it appeared,
to preside over q board Of directors.
The same old liar Afterward he re-
Tented and did stay, saying the meet
ing could wait.
We talked of many things. He had
apparently tried most occupations and
mastered none. Now he was on Ger.
tain company promoting schemes,
which, he said, was risky work, as he
had to chance losing large sums of
money. glanced at his shabby coat |!
Where was he living? At Brixton,
and must go over and dine with him
on Thursday evening. l really must.
"Got bachelor dlggings, don't you
know, old chap, and we'll have rare
old time Of it,
So accepted. Then he told me he
was engaged to ''fne girl, old chap.
Awfully lucky fellow to get her. When
am I going to be married? Not quite
sure, but between you and me. I fancy
/ shall make a stroke OF luck soon, and
then-oh, I say, you shall be best
man you must. Amy'll be delighted.
She's splendid girl. Money? Oh,
she's bit down on her luck now.
Clever girl, though. Does typewrit.
ing-well, l must say good bye now.
Don't forget Thursday, old chap"
On Thursday 1 went over to Brixton,
and after considerable wandering
reached a small back street and
knocked at dingy door, which was
opened by slatternly looking woman,
who showed me into room where
mine host awaited me. A curtain
hung across this room, barely conceal.
ing bed and washstand.
''How are you, old chap? Hope
you don't mind small diggings, but
they're awfully comfortable. just one
room, you see; I find it handler than
having a separate bedroom-no fag
going from one room to the other.
Well have supper in trice Hope
you don't mind a cold collation."
The "cold COLLATION." shortly revealed
itself upon grimy table cloth, and
consisted of small meager slices OF
cold beef, bottle OF mixed pickles,
some bread and about three ounces ol
cheese.
"Mrs. wilkins" cried Rudge, as
that inestimable parsonage was leaving
the room after having laid the above
banquet and scattering some knives
and forks promiscuously upon the
table, Eve shall want some coffee,
please. Would You kindly get us
some. You'll have some, won't you,
old chap?"
nodded. Mrs. wilkins stood with
her arms akimbo and scowled.
"Where's the money, Mister Rudge?'
ooh, certainly, certainly, Mrs.
Wilkins. Why, dear me, 'pon my soul
I haven't got anything less than Il
sovereisn"-Mrs. wilkins shifted.
"Eh? Well, if you don't mind lend.
ing me shilling, old boy. Thanks
awfully."
Rudge did the honors OF the meal
in truly aristocratic style. He became
exceedingly confiding:
"Now, old chap, Pm going to tell
you secret and put you on to good
thing in the bargain. I've chummed
up lately with fellow named Mars
worth, who's an awfuliy clever chap
and up to all sorts tips. WE'LL he's
got Que or two of us to go shares with
him IN grand scheme. I'm not at
liberty to tell you exactly what it is,
put it's a big affair. He knows more
about the ms and outs Of company
promoting than do, and he's just
started syndicate for booming the
thing, and if you want q good invest
ment, think eau say it will pay you
nearly cent for cent; at any rate,
Marsworth says it ought to. wouldn't
tell any one else, but for the sake o
old times I've given You the tip"
Somehow my soul did not yearn fol
this tip, and gave Rulge distinctly
to understand, and urged this point
emphaticslIy, that | was absolutely
short Of spare cash.
"Well," he said, 'lm sorry, fol
you might have made good thinf
out OF it. But let me tell YOU some
thing else. Marsworth's put me on ~
| xonraAarr anil Ah;. M, amin. L. n. NJ.