Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-01-26

IN MANY respects Tom Drummer wa,
acknowledged to be one Of the best
Fellows. His penchant, however, fol
practical joking, though it never sa.
gored Of malice, gained as a rule more
eensure than appreciation. For one
reason, his jokes were not alwaysin good
taste; and the case in point will serve as
m illustration. 1t took the form, first
Of all, of an advertisement in one of the
dailies, to wit:
"A gentleman, unattached and under
30, with good income, would like to
make the acquaintance of an amiable
young lady with view to matrimony.
| Address, in confidence, Y 100, office of
this paper.
He smiled grimly as he read 1t over in
print, wondering, with curious interest,
what sort of replies he would get, and
how he should treat them. Although
literally speaking, be was unattached
that is to say, although there was no
spoken engagement between him and his
old playmate and friend, Nellie Marsh
he felt that he was sufficiently idol
lied by that lady, and sufficiently under
the spell OF her charms. TO defy the
possible influence of any of the appll
eants, however, fascinating.
Moreover, Us his income was at pres
ent too modest to permit of his marry
ing anybody, he went into the jest with
double sense of safety.
The rg9,lfau mara pavaraI atI - a.
whole, not interesting. Most of them
were from matrimonial agents, who
promised, for reasonable fees, TO pro
cure him the necessary introduction,
while guaranteeing their clients
amiahility and every other virtue. The
rest, with one exception, were palpably
bogus. The terseness of this one. apart
from It's neat and ladylihe handwriting,
gave Il q genuine ring. II read as fol-
lows:
IF the advertiser Is willing 10 send
by post further particulars about him.
self and exchange photos with the
writer the confidence win be respected.
Address, Miss Townshend, l2 Hill street,
Kings OVAL
Decidedly the lady means bust |
ness" thought Tom; and the thought |
led to others, which convinced him that
in following mp the joke he would run
n risk OF making an ass Of himself. or |
worse. After all. II was clear there |
was not much fun TO be got out Of the |
affair; and he was about to put this re-
ply, with the rest, in the fire, when sud. |
denly new idea struck him.
While rummaging among his collec.
ton Of photos a day or two previous ne |
had come across one Of a club acquaint.
once. a Mr.. Pellingham, which had |
reached him on some forgotten occa-
Fion probably through third party. |
As this photo happened 10 be on his
table AZ the moment be placed IL In an /
envelope. Tie then looked up the ad- |
arces - the original. whom be knew
70 be a sirrle man like himself. and |
boldly indited the following letter:
''Mnnle Terrace. Regents Park.-penr
MISS foWnserd: In nckuowie iFemeut ~ H
your letter, ! inclose my photo. and beg 70
state that am Junior partner ofthe irrn 1
o. ltawson PullinFham, railWay con-
lrae'ors. My object IN advertising shall
nope % explain, with further particulars. 4
al an eariy Interview. leave the appoint.
ment IN your hands. and sign myself.
You're faithfu.'y,
ALFRED PELLTNGHAM." 1
ms letter he Enclosed with the photo
and posted OF to the address In Kings
Oval; chuekling az the tale Polling
ham might have 10 tell on some future
occasion.