The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1900-12-15
A LUCKY BLUNDER.

A LUCKY BLUNDER.
1t was just $3.50 by the dusty clock
that did duty in the EDITORS Office of
The Daily 7sleg,am, when John
Hobbs, manager and general facto-
tum for that enterprising paper, from
which he derived a snug little in
come, suddenly remembered the day
of the week. 1t was Thursday and
on the following evening the most
select concert of the season would
take place, where the social set of
Wrensville would be in evidence.
Now for nearly year John had
been frequent and more or less reg
uglar caller on Miss Mabelle Whit
ney, the very pretty daughter of
very rich merchant.
He had intended to invite her all
along, but this delay in his invitation
might mean disappointment. He
would soon know, and why not en-
body in his note a declaration of his
affections and so put to the test
whether she returned his love or not.
This seemed a happy thought, so he
began
"My Dear Friend May I hope
for the pleasure of your company at
the concert tomorrow evening by the
Singers club? / have question to
ask you, the answer to which will
make me either the most miserable or
happiest of men. If you accept my
invitation to the concert, l shall un-
derstand your answer will be "No"
to the more momentous question, and
a refusal of my invitation 1 shall con-
slider as refusal of yours. With deep
est regard,
JOHN ELLIOTT HOBBS"
For a man of so brilliant a mind
his was really a very lame proposal,
but John signed his name with con-
sciousness of having said just enough
and not too much, feeling quite sure
In the depths of his honest devotion
to her that her answer would be what
he hoped. With this load off his
mind he turned to the perusal of his
afternoon mail, with which his desk
was Uttered.
Another story from the pen of Miss
Davenport. Well, this one he had
better reject, for she was really get
ting beyond her depth, or SO it SEEM
ed to him. To be sure, she sketched
her characters with an artists skill
and was decided by original in plot
and action, but the public, his public,
must be amused, and her heroines
never seemed happy and, what was
more, never married the heroes, nor
any one else, for that matter. He
did not want to personally say mo"
to this girl, in whom unconsciously
he had become interested and whom
he recognized as clever writer, sure
to win for herself a name In the
world. But he had already made up
his mind not to accept more of her
work, and so taking up the stub pen
which had certainly seen better days,
he dashed off as follows:
MY Dea, Madam - Notwith-
standing our appreciation of and ad-
miration for your style we find we
must discontinue acceptance for the
present. Trusting to be of service at
some future date, l am, yours very
truly, JOHN ELLIOTT HoBBs." d"
"I flatter myself that is neatly
DONE" thought John, SO hastily plac-
ing the notes in their respective en-
velopes and addressing the same he
rang for the Office boy.
Friday morning dawned dull and
rainy, with little prospect of clearing
weather, and as John sat in his Office
his courage and spirits were at ebb
tide. 1t was all owing to the wealth
er, he thought, and not Fremont
ton of failure. Anyway he had stop
ped at the florists and ordered box
of gorgeous violets sent his love, and
they must be received by this time.
Just then the postman opened the
door. Not line from her in this
mail, only some advertisements, bill
or two, three cards of invitation,
check, thanks for that, and last of
all, a small envelope in the well
known handwriting of Miss Daven-
port. A reply to his dismissal of the
day before, he presumed, and, fear
ing to open the note he read:
"AIy Dear Mr.. Hobbs The con-
tents of your letter, although very
great surprise to me, have made me
very happy. 1t is hardly necessary
for ME to add that accept your in
vitation and shall expect you this
evening. With regards from my
mother and self, 1 am, most sincerely,
MILDRED E. DAVENPORT.
, What did it mean. What invita-
ton did she accept and why should
his letter make her very happy?
Quite the reverse, he had supposed.
1t sounded like some mystery ro-
nance from her versatile pen, but it
was no jesting matter he reflected, re-
membering the concert and his anx-
iety of mind concerning his answer
from Miss Whitney. Just then, in
his reflection, the door was flung open
and messenger boy sang out: "Mr.
Hobbs +! Very important. No an
swer." And depositing a package
handed John his book for signature.
John recognized the handwriting of
the address, and hastily tore it open.
A large bunch of violets met his as