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

"Nanco is a sort Of cast-iron figure II
man. said one OF his few acQuai,-
tances. half enviously, when "A small
party OF youns people were talking him
over one evening at dance from which
he. as usual. was absent.
The same epigrammatlc youth was re-
minded Of this saying a whole year later
Dy one OF the young women who mud
heard him utter IL.
Nv ell he said. II still stick 10 H.
Flesh and blood could neither work nor
endure like that fellow"
Yes. but you said IL I'm mockery II
seems likely TO turn out serious truth"
II meant IL just as 1 said It,"
in the sense that cast-iron figures
don't include brains IN their makeup"
Not by any means. / know as much
about Michael Vance's brains as most
people, | guess But what about hts
brains now in pacticular2"
ON, only that he has been appointed
assistant 70 the prosecuting attorney"
You don't say!"
"Yes. / do say. I'm afraid YOU know
more about Waiting than currant news
Mr. Bridges, But, what is more. ne very
nearly had TO refuse the appointment"
Refuse it?"
because he had his hands 50 fun or his
own practice"
This was a grand surprise 10 the JOY
Gus ana amusing young Mr.. Bridges. tie
had always had a high respect FOR the
distinguishing characteristics Of Michael
Vance that were so unlike his own, but
be had not expected to hear OF their win
ming success for at least decade 10
come.
So Bridges, the center OF n group OF
, more or less admirng youngsters OF both
sexes, began after supper 10 speak out
what was uppermost in his mind.
who would have thought Vance would
have got on al such a tremendous pace2'
ngtrQv
he's going to be made assistant prosecut-
ing attorney as soon as Holt goes into
Office"
Then he'll have TO sit up all night
10 do the work" said a very young gem
tleman whose father happened 70 be A
county judge. 1T takes him all day
light 10 do his own work now"
Perhaps ne ought 10 have a Sfence-
rapher," said Miss Lillian Shadd. II wish
he'd have me. / can DO nifty words a
minute"
With your tongue or your pencil7"
Bridges sarcastically asked.
But the upshot OF this chatter and
chaff was plot. Five young people
united In that plot, two girls and three
young men, and IS II not uncnari abe q
imagine that two OF the conspirators
have since repented several times-the
thing Is at least likely
Anyhow, Vance. within a week OF the
date of that party, received as many as
eight personal applications from young
women who wanted the position of stem
ographer in his office. His office was
hardly large enough at that time TO hold
himself his law library, one client and
one very small office boy.
These personal applications were very
troublesome and very embarrassing. but
there were also applications by mail. all
from young women, 10 which Vance felt
bound in courtesy TO reply. The plot OF
the five had worked very well so far.
But in the meanwhile Vance had dis
covered the advertisement In the local
paper by which all this trouble had been
brought upon him and before the end OF
that week. not only had the publishers
n the paper been obliged 10 suppress
the fraudulent advertisement but Vance
had substituted for il one Ike this:
To StenOgraphers Persons desiring
positions as stenographers and type
writers are hereby warned that the adj
vertisement lately inserted in this col
umn In the name OF Mr.. Michael Vance
wish. Any information which may dead
TO the Identification OF the fool OF fools
who plagiarized this joke from the late
Theodore Hook will be gratefully received
bv the said Michael Vance
The story Of the plot against Vance.
and Of bis counter to It. created much
the conspring Ave. Melody came for
ward 70 inform on them, but Lillian
Shadd. herself q member OF the band.
unguardedly gave herself and the others
away. She took offence az the phrase
fool or foola'' ip vance's card and cut
him on the street Il was q summer day
sn6 she took refuge n hsr psrasoL