The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-10-19
A LUCKY BLUNDBR.
It Kept John Hobbs From Marry
ing the Wrong Girl and Led Him
to Marry the Right One.

1t was just $50 by the dusty clock
that did duty in the editors Office of
The Daily Telegram. when John
Hobbs, manager and general factotum
for that enterprising paper, from which
he derived a snug little income, sud-
denly 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 a year John had been
frequent and more OF less regular
caller on Miss Mabelle Whitney, the
very pretty daughter of a 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 embody
in his note declaration Of his affec-
lions, and SO put to the test whether
she returned his love or not. This
seemed happy thought, so he began:
Ny Dear Friend-May hope for the pleasure of
your company at the concert tomorrow evening
by the Singers club7 I have a 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, I shall understand
your answer will not be ''No'' to the more mo-
mentous question: and refusal of my invitation
shall consider refusal Of yours with deepest
regard, JOHN ELLIOTT HOBBS.
For man of so brilliant mind this
was really very lame proposal, but
John signed his name with conscious
ness 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 bet
ter reject, for she was really getting
beyond her depth, or so it seemed to
him. To be sure, she sketched her
characters with an artists skill and
was decidedly original in plot and ac-
ton, 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 "no" to this
girl, In whom unconsciously he had be-
come so interested and whom he recog-
nized as a 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 GER
tainly seen better days, he dashed off
as follows:
My Dear Observation-Disclosures our appre.
citation of and admiration for your style we find
we must discontinue acceptance for the present.
Trusting to be of service at some future date,
am, yours very truly, JOHN ELLIOTT HOBBS.
Il fatter myself that is neatly DONE"
thought John, so hastily placing the
notes in their respective envelopes 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 weather,
he thought, and not premonition of
failure. Anyway he had stopped 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, a bill or two,
three cards of invitation, check.
thanks for that, land last of all, small
envelope in the well known hand
writing of Miss Davenport. A reply
to his dismissal Of the day before, he
presumed, and, fearing to open the
note he read:
My Dear Mr.. Hobbs-The contents of your let,
ter, although very great surprise to me, have
made very happy. 1t is hardly necessary 70,
me to add that accept your invitation an !
shall expect you this evening. With regards from
my mother and self, am, most sincerely,
MILDRED E. DAVENPORT.
What did it mean. What invitation
did she accept and why should his let
ter make her very happy? Quite the
reverse, he had supposed. 1t sounded
like some mystery of romance from her
versatile pen, but 1T was no testing
matter he reflected, remembering the
concert and his anxiety of mind con-
corning his answer from Miss Whitney
Just then, in his reflection, the door
was flung open and a messenger boy
sang out: "Mr. Hobbs! Very important
No answer" And depositing a pack
age handed John his book for sigma
ture. John recognized the handwriting
of the address and hastily tore it open.
A large bunch of violets met his aston
ished gaze and a letter. which read as
follows:
Mr. Hobbs:
Sir-Allow me to return your property, which
by some mistake sent to me. AS to my style,
consider it presumptuous your part to pass
any comment what cannot possibly be OF in
terest concern of yours ! most heartily in
dorse your desire to discontinue all future CORE.
spondence as your insults are only less clever
than your compliments. Yours, etc.,
MABELLE WHITNEY.
Poor John read 1t with sinking heart,
too utterly miserable to express the
surprise 1t merited. Another riddle to