The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1899-05-02
A LITTLE JOKE.
BY

ing happy glances at my p~ortmanteau,
which stood in the corner. ! was Just
off to spend a fortnight with my old
friend Colonel Gunton, in Norfolk, and
I was looking forward to seeing him
again with great pleasure. We had not
met for ten years. and I had never been
to his place or seen any of his family.
1t would be delightful.
The telephone bell rang.
"Oh, confound It'll l hope that s Il moth
ing to keep mel' l exclaimed, and /
rose to see to it.
"Mr. Miller. are you theref"
Yes"
"All right. I'll come round"
A few minutes passed and then my
clerk announced. ga lady to see you,
sir.
A remarkably pretty girl of about 1S
was ushered in. She stood still some
way from me till the door was closed.
Then she suddenly rushed toward me,
fell at my feet and exclaimed. "You
will protect me, won't your"
my dear young lady, what in the
world
you're the famous Mr.. Miller,
aren't you-Mr. Joseph Miller. the
philanthropist? 2
my name is Joseph Miller, certain
ly."
"Ahl Then / am safel, And she sat
down in an armchair and smiled con-
fidingly at me.
MADAM" said sternly, twill you
have the goodness to explain to what I
owe the pleasure of this visit2"
"They told me to come to you"
"Who2"
"Why. the people at the police sta
ton"
"The police station?"
Eyes, when they let me go-because
it war a first offense, you know. They
said you always took up cases like mine,
and that if / stuck to you I should be
well looked after"
1t was quite true that ! had taken
an interest in rescuing young persons
from becoming habitual criminals, but
I was hardly prepared for this.
What have you been doingY
"Oh, nothing this time-only a
bracelet.
"This timer"
t.They didn't know me up here, she
explained smilingly. ftI've always prac-
ticed in the country. Wasn't it lucky 2
But really, Mr.. Miller, I'm tired of it;
/ am indeed. The life is too exciting
the doctors say $3.50 I've com to
you"
The case was a strange one, but I
had no time to investigate it now. 1t
wanted only half an hour to the time
my train left Liverpool street.
"What is your name2' l asked.
"Sarah Jones'"
well. I will have your case looked
into. Come and see me again, or, if
you are in distress, you may write to
meat Colonel Gunton's, Beech Hill,
Norfolk. / shall be staying there
"Going now2'
II start in a few minutes"
"Oh. I'll come with you'll"
Madam l answered with en-
phasis, 81 will see you-out of the
office first"
"But what am / to do2 Oh, it's non
sensei l shall come. l shall say / be-
long to YOU"
/ rang the bell.
"show this lady out. Thomas. at
once"
She laughed. bowed and went-evi-
IDENTIFY a most impudent hussy. 1 fin
ished my business. drove to Liverpool
street and established myself in a first
Elass smoking carriage. I was alone
and settled myself for a comfortable
cigar. 1 was rudely interrupted. Just
as the train was starting, the door
opened-and that odious young woman
jumped ini
"Therei I nearly missed your she
said.
81 can hold no communication with
you" l said severely. ''You are a dis
grace to your-er-sex.
"It's all right. I've wired to the
colonel"
you've wired to my friend. Colonel
GuntonY'
eyes; 1 didn't want to surprise
them. ! said you would bring a friend
with you. It's all right. Mr.. Miller"
II don't know who you are or what
you are, but the Guntons are ~respecta-
BILE people. and | am a respectable man,
and
That's no reason why you should
promenade mp and down. Mr.. Miller.
It's very uncomfortable for me-"
StVUho+ Sc &l,o xnoari14 Of fhio inSa-
sent behavior2
why not be friendlyf We're off
now, and / must go on"
81 shall give you in charge at the
next station"
"What SorY"
On reflection, l supposed she had
committed $40 criminal offense, and
with a dignitied air l opened my paper.
II don't mind your smoking" she
said and took out a box of chocolates.
/ was at my wits end. Either this
girl was mad or she was a dangerous
and INSCRIPTIONS person. She was
quite capable of making a most un.
pleasant and d~iscreditable commotioI
on the platform at Beech Hill station.
What in the world was l to dor
"Shall we stay long at the Gun
tons 2" she asked.
"You. madam, will never go there.
"Oh, yes, l shalll''
'Indeed, you won't. I'll take care o.
that. The police will see to that"
"I don't care a fig for the police.
shall go and stay as long as you do
They told me to stick to you"
l became angry. Any man would
have. But nothing was to be gained b,
losing my temper. l took out a soy
ereign.
eff you'll get out at the next station
I'll give you this.
She laughed merrily. 81 though
you went in for personal supervision
not mere pecuniary doles, she said. :"
read that in your speech at the charit,
organization meeting. No; I'm not +
be bribed. I'm going to the Guntons'.
"It's absurd. It preposterous. VIVA
will-what will Mrs. Gunton sayf"
ssOh, she won't mind" answere'