The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-02-05

Vance deliberately turned round and
walked after her and. politely raising his
hat. said: Didn't you see me just now.
Miss Shadd?'
oh she exclaimed. or rather scream
ed Then recovering her dignity. she an.
swered. Il didn't suppose you would
want 10 speak 10 a fool or fools. M
Vance"
There arc some persons. believe"
said Vance, answering TO that descrip-
ton To whom I would very much ike
10 speak. II could find them
Then 20 and speak 10 the men fools"
Miss Shadd flared up. go to Mr. Bridges
and-Oh.'
She had said more than she meant to.
Vance went to Mr. Bridges, who was
already very sore about this plot Fool
or fools" Bridges could AFFORD 10 over
look, but TO be accused Of plagiarizing a
joke from a humOrist Of bygone days
was intolerable to a man who had his
own little local reputation IN that line.
AT that time OF the day Bridges was
to be found In a bank. counting can
cellcd checks. lie came from behind tie
brass grating and bowed 20 Vance very
stifiy. as though not desiring any con
tinuation OF the privilege OF Mr.. Yance's
acquaintance.
What's the matter with you. Bridges"
| said Vance. speaking loud enough 10 ~
| heard by everyone In that part ~ tho
bank. Don't you Ike being called
fool?'
Il certainly do not. Mr. Vance" said
/ Bridges. And n any man should apply
that term 10 me that man would have To
answer for II personally"
Then, II you don't like being called
fool" said Vance, why are you oney"
Upon which a dozen clerks and cash
iers snickered audibly behind the brass
grating.
What do you mean by this. Mr..
Nance?"
Look here. Bridges: ~ you had only
annoyed me with your antlquatcd prac-
tcal Joke | would hardly have noticed
H. but you have given a great deal %
trouble and modification 10 more than
a dozen young ladies who are trying ~
earn their livngs. Consequently you
must apologize 20 them all In writing.
II you consent 10 apologize promptly I
will let you of with a card I'm the paper.
signed with your own name. mind II not
YOU will have"
This was altogether too much for
Bridges temper. As many as fifteen
employees OF that bank who had here
tofore regarded him as a wit man OF
fashion and graceful ruffier were grin
ming and listening while Vance called
his Joke antiqusted and laid down an
extensively humiliating plan Of action for
him with a strong suggestion OF threats.
Il will apologize 20 no one under conf
pulsion." he interrupted harcely.
Il don't caro- what you apologize un.
der said Vance. But apologize YOU
will within twenty-foUr hours. or I viii
come back hereto this bank-at this
time tomorrow and slap your face
And what followed was very mixed
up affair.
No one Of the fifteen employees ever
could tell which OF the two LANDED
the first blow. But the head cashier and
a vlce-president who overheard tho dis
turbance rushed out and separated the
two.
4 give YOU twenty-four hours" Vance
called aloud as he walked out Of the
bank
Afler that he went back to hts ofics
and there found waiting for him shy,
cark-eyed girl In a brown dress At nrst
no thought IL must be his sister Annie,
Unexpectedly returned from abroad. -
much did this girl resemble her IN height
figure and carriage
Il hope you haven't been waiting here
long." said Vance politely.
NO" said the girl mat is-only halt
/ an hour. I came TO ask n YOU had found
satisfactory stenOgrapher I live in tho
country, and the paper didn't reach US
/ until day before yesterday | couldn't
/. make up my mind whether 70 write or
come until this morning. Then I was ad-
vised 10 come myself and see you"
You are only one more victim" Vance
began. Then, seeing the look Of tlmid
disappointment on the childs face. no
! was inspired 10 80 about the matter diff
! ferently.
W ouiu IL De very impairment 10 ask
your aseY' he said very respectfully.
sixteen
And you want to leave your family
and come to live by yourself in ibis
city?'
Il can give you good references-indeed
And what does your mother think Of
your plane
Il have no mother have been living
! with my married sister. Ny brother-in-
j NIH .NH.. HNHH r
! stenography
/ No need 90 go any further. SO thought
/ Vance. lie sent the office boy home as
soon as he had seen TWO Of this young
N0nnan's letters OF introduction. Then he
shut up his office and took her home 10
| las mother
IL Is hardly worth mentioning that all
! the steuOgIaply Miss Lydia tatllu had
/ succeeded iu teaching herself would never
! have hghlene0 Micnaei Vance 3 profess
] siOnal lAD0rs ~ any alprcclaDle degree.
/ But
But. 10 return To Bridges ! must say
/ that his punishment Was quite severe
! enough 60 have been shared by all five
| OF tile cOnsplrat0rs. as 10 should have
| been. Fur the yice-uresident and the
| cashier made him tell me whole story ~
| the plot. then, speaking loudly and dis
| tincUy. pointed out 90 hlm the error ot
| his ways. finally presented him with the
alternative OF publishing that apology
| signed-in the next morning issue OF Tie
| paper, or giving up his position IN tho
bank. Upon which Bridges promptly re-
signed his position and started tor New
| Ne NicO the next morning. Which - why
| he never married Lillian Shadd, as every
body had expected he would.
But, TO return once more TO Vance.
Three years later having for the sixth
time refused 10 make that dark youus
woman his stenOSrap her-having To- fact,
employed another stcnOgrapher IN the IN
tergal-Qe cOmDromiSed Dv promising 70
let her be an assistant stenOgrapher-
If she would become mis- wife AT The
same time In her eagcrness 70 be- q stem
! ographer, she accepted the compromise.
And that Is why the other female MEM
Der Of the conspiring fye is sorry Tor
her share In the plot.