Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-02-04

"StC NeIS
troublesome and very embarrassing, but
there We're also applications by mail. all
from young women, to which Vance felt
bound in courtesy to reply. The plot of
the five had worked very we'll so far.
But in the meanwhile Vance had dis
covered the advertisement in the local
paper by which all this trouble had been
brought about him, and before the end of
that week, not only had the publishers
OF the paper been obliged to suppress the
fraudulent advertisement, but Vance had
substituted for it one like this:
TO Stenographers: Persons desiring
positions as stenographers and typewrit-
ers are hereby warned that the ADVERTISE
ment lately inserted in this column in
the name of Mr.. Michael Vance was so
inserted without his knowledge or wish.
Any which may lead to the
identification of the fool or fools who
plagiarized this joke from the late The
odore Hook will be gratefully received by
the said Michael Vance,"
The story of the plot against Vance,
and of his counter to it, created much
stir in the little circle which included the
conspiring five. Nobody came forward
to inform on them, but Lillian Shadd her
self a member of the band, unguardedly
gave herself and the others away. She
took offense at the phrase fool or fools
in Vance's card and cut him on the
olICSt. IL was q SuillilltI udy, dlu SIlt
took refuge in her parasol. Vance de-
liberately turned round and walked after
her. caught up with her, and, politely
raising his hat, said: Didn't you see
me just now, Miss Shadd?'
OH she exclaimed, or, rather,
screamed. Then recovering her dignity,
she answered: II didn't suppose you would
want to speak to a fool or FOOLS Mr..
vance,"
There are some persons, l believe"
said Vance, answering to that descrip-
ton to whom | would very much like to
speak if l could find Them
Then so and speak to the men fools,'
Miss Shadd fiared w. go to Mr.. Bridges
and-Oh!"
She had said more than she meant to.
Vance went to Bridges, who was al
ready very sore about this plot. Fool
or FOOLS Bridges could afford to over
look, but to be accused or 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
celled checks. He came from behind the
brass grating and bowed to Vance very
stift1y, as though not desiring any con-
t%inuance of the privilege of Mr.. Vance's
acquaintance.
What's the matter with you, Bridges?'
said Vance, speaking loud enough to be
heard by everyone in that part of the
bank. Don't you like being called a
fool?'
Il certainly do not, Mr.. Vance, said
Bridges. And if any man should apply
that term to me that man would have to
answer for it personally"
Then, if you don't like being called a
fool said Vance, why are you one?'
Upon which a dozen clerks and cash
iers snickered audibly behind the brass
grating.
What do you mean by this, Mr..
Vance?"
Look here, Bridges. If you had only
annoyed me with your Anticipated prac-
teal joke, | would hardly have noticed
it. But you have given a great deal of
trouble and modification to more than
a dozen young ladies who are trying to
earn their livings,r Consequently you,
must apologize to them all in writing. If
you consent to apologize promptly, l will
let you off with a card in the paper,
signed with your own name. If not, you
will have"
This was altogether too much for
Bridges temper. AS many as Is en-
ployes of that bank who had heretofore
regarded him as a wit, man of fashion
and graceful rufler We're grinning and
listening while Vance called his joke an
tiquated and laid down an extensively
humiliating plan of action for him, with
a strong suggestion of threats.
IT will apologize to no one under COM
pulsion,' he interrupted fiercely.
Il don't care what you apologize I'M
der said Vance, but apologize you will
within "a hours, or I will come back here
to this bank-at this time tomorrow
and slap your face"
And what followed was a very mixed
up affair.
mo one of the Is employees ever could
tell which of the two "landed' the first
blow. But the head ashier and a vice
president who overheard the disturbance
rushed out and separated the two.
Il give you "a hours Vance called
aloud as he walked out of the bank.
After that he went back to his Office
and there found waiting for him a shy,
dark-eyed girl in a brown dress. At first
he thought it must be his sister Annie,
unexpectedly returned from abroad, SO
I 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. THAT is-only
f half an hour. l came to ask if you had
l found a satisfactory stenographer. / live
; in the country, and the paper didn't reach
2 us until day before yesterday. I couldn't
8 make up my mind whether to write or
t come until this morning. Then I was adj
Vised to come myself and see you"
you are only one more victim" Vance
S began. Then, seeing the look of timid
: disappointment on the child's face, he
= was inspired to go about the matter diff
: fercntly.
1 would it be very impertinent to ask
l you age?" he said very respectfully.
"SiXteen.'