Evening star., 1898-12-24

'Manyfriends' matchbox was still under
discussion and the matter was still a
mystery.
1t was late that night when he reached
EGme. His wife was standing in the middle
OF their reception ROOM and scattered about
Nor We're boxes ard bundles and packages
OF all sizes and descriptions. and articles of
furniture ne had never seen before. She
met his look of inquiry with one of be-
Wilderment.
You have been going it pretty heavy, my
around the room.
T. my dear? l am sure I don't know
what 1t means They have been coming all
day-and there goes the hall bell again
what does 1t mean? 1t is almost as mys-
terlous as the matchbox"
Hang the matchbox! The devils in it,"
exclaimed Manyfriends.
or some good angel corrected his wife.
1t began with it, and there has been moth
ing but presents, presents, presents. These
things have been coming all day."
Here is a set of silver from Judge Laws"
cried Manyfriends, as he examined one of
the packages
And a fur-lined overcoat from the gen.
eral.' added his wife
"A Satsuma vase from the secretary"
said ManyfriendS-
"A meerschaum pipe from the governor"
added his Wife
"A box of cigar from the colonel"
"A case of wine from the senator"
"A leather easy chair from Mr. Means"
a reading lamp from"
'Oh, isn't it a beauty cried Mrs. Many
friends: ''and look at this dressing case.
why. there must be fifty presents. and all
exquisite. There is a silver coffee urn
There is cabinet that the admiral brought
frcm lndia!-Why, Harry, what is the mat
ter"
Manyfriends was looking over the cards
he had collected from the packages and
was scowling dismally.
Il never saw man with so many gen.
erous friends" ratified on Mrs. Many
friends: but l know they feel grateful for
the many things you have done for them
| v onder where the senator or the COVER
Tor, or any of them. would be if it were not
for your services. But it is awfully nice
of them. To think that it should strike
them all at the same time. | wonder if
they talked il over beforehand"
Manyfriends paid no heed to his wife, but
continued to look over the cards. A great
charge had come over him.
Mary, he said solemny, take that
matchbox and lock it up. 1t is bewit tched:
and have these things put away some place
where | will not see them all at once. l
cannot stand this much longer. l will have
my thanks printed in circular form tomor-
row, and / can spare my stenographer for
the next two or three days to help you dis
tribute them.'
How little appreciation men have"
thought Mrs. Manyfriends. He is sneer-
ing at all these evidences of his popularity.
| guess he don't want to show how much
he feels Men are curious characters"
New Year night Judge Laws gave a din
ner. The senator, the secretary. the gov
ernor, the colonel. the admiral and twenty
five or thirty others were there. Many
friends was not among them. When the
coffee and brandy stage was reached and
cigars were lighted the judge put an end
suddenly to the clatter of good cheer by
a rap on the table with the handle of his
knife. His face had assumed solemn ex-
preston, and he looked as he does on the
bench when about to pronounce sentence.
In inviting you here gentlemen, tonight
he said, Il had an object beyond that of
having my friends about me. L have very
diStasteful duty to perform
The guests stopped their coffee cups on
their way to their lips and were all atten-
ton. The merriment ceased.
II shall be brief" continued the judge
1T is of Manyfriends and his matchbox
am about to speak"
The guests looked each from one to the
otner and murmur went around the table
'Manyfriends' matchbox" each Whispered
to the other, 'Manyfriends matchbox
Yes. continued the judge, ''Manyfriends
matchbox. You have all heard of it."
He couldn't find where it came from"
they all said at once.
Il am about to tell you where it came
from. said the judge, and to unmask one
OF the cleverest confidence games of this
age. | have investigated the matter and l
know that each one of you gentlemen in
turn was accused of having given him that
box"
II was, for one they all spoke at once
just SO, ana you edch sent him a Valu-
able present, l know. Well no one gave
him the matchbox. He bought it himself
You understand? The rascal bought it him
SELF
A murmur went round the table.
He bought ii himself and took that means
of reminding all that presents were in
order. We were all duped. 1 make this dis
closure as a matter of duty to expose a
rascal whom we have all regarded as a
worthy friend. l do not think he can be
prosecuted for obtaining goods under false
pretenses, but he be exposed 1 know
this is a shock to you, who have regarded
this man as a friend. But think gentle
men. one moment. What do you know
about him? Did you meet him in the usual
way? Was he introduced by some one you
know? No. He brought no letters of intro
duction. None of YOU l dare say, can re-
member just when you first met him. He was
a writer He was clever. He made himself
of service and we learned to esteem him.
but think: did we know him? Not at ali
He is mere adventurer.
The next day the judge snubbed Many
friends the street. Before he had re-
covered from his establishment the senator
passed him without a word. He had busi-
ness with tine secretary and that official
refused to see him and sent word that he
must communicate through a subordinate
At the club men were gathered about in
groups talking earnestly in low tones and
on Manyfriends approaching them they
moved away. He could get no one to
drink with him, while continuing to drink
with each other, and now and then he
heard some one in jeering voice say some
thing about 'Manyfriends' matchbox" but
he could not get at the bottom of it. He
was bewildered and angered and felt sense
of disgrace and shame without knowing
why. All whom he met looked at him from
the corners of their eyes. and he took back
streets on the way home to avoid people He
was in a desperate state OF mind. His wife
received him coolly when he reached home
What in the plague does 1t mean?" he
thought. Has the world turned topsy-
turvy or have | lost my head?"
But he resolved to act naturally as
possible and say nothing to his wife Mrs
'Manyfrends stitched nervously in silence
at some embroidery and Manyfriends sat
deep down in his chair. the one the colonel
had sent, and smoked dismaly.
Mr.. Manyfriendsr'
Sir, he replied, starting from the rev.
erie-'madam-excuse me-Mary what Is
it?' He had never been addressed by his
wife as Mr.. Manyfriends
Mr.. Manyfriends,' his wife repeated.
with severity he had never before found
in her voice, Mr. Manyfrends, who gave
you that mach box?"
How the-my dear, 1 mean-how should
l know?'
That is not answering my question, Mr..