The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-05-04
VICTOR'S
TRICK
Il Was Very Funny and
Very Successful, buts
TrlHe Dangerous.
BY e YILMRR....


$50 we agree, then, my boy? The girl
pleases youF"
"Pleases me? am fairly carried away
with her" And Arnold Friese gazed
with rapture at the photograph in his
hand. What loneliness! Incompatible,
uncle"
In a transport Of rapture and gratitude
Arnold flung himself into his uncle's
arms and kissed the old man on both
checks.
The latter rubbed his hands contented-
ly. Good. my boy. good! And now that
we are agreed as to the main point, l will
give you few details Of the matter"
"Yes, uncle"
"Your bride. for such may call her. as
oil seems to be clear, lives, rs you know,
in Leipsic. and | have written her par
ents that you will arrive tomorrow"
Capital"
"You can start rs soon rs you like. AT
all events, you should be there by noon
tomorrow and indeed upon most natu
raj pretext | will give it out that you
are called to Leipsic upon business and
BY way of making this true will send by
you this silver lorgnette to Frau Brett
schneider. which she lost while here in
DeThU thc Opttu hhNh ShS ~
Quested me to find for her. And as you
need be in no hurry to return remain ut
Leipsic as long as may be necessary for
the accomplishment of your mission. !
trust that yeu will not leave until the
young lady has given you n definite
yes"
81 will do my very best, uncle, you may
be sure"
"And now success to your efforts, my
boy. Telegraph me as soon as the wished
for result Is attained, that may arrange
for your wedding"
Wait until morning?
No; Arnold Friese did not relish the
idea. The Berlin life was too distracting
to permit one to dwell long upon any one
thought, however cherished. So Arnold
resolved to leave that very evening.
Arrived at the station, he boarded the
train and. possessing himself of an emp
ty coach, took his seat at window and
gazed at the throng outside.
The platform was already pretty well
crowded. Were all these people whom
he beheld, laden with valses. bandboxes,
satchels and what not, were they to enter
his coach and disturb him with their bus
alone with his thoughts.
How to secure himself from intruders?
Ha. an idea! II he should pay for all
eight seats in the coach? Plainly n mag
niticent scheme, only n triile costly.
A gold piece in the hand of the porter?
No; that secured him nothing, for in case
any one entered that parsonage had no
right to prevent him.
Suddenly q wild idea flashed through
bis head, a remembrance of his student
days.
Victor's trick!
Why had he not thought Of It before?
That most unique device to which Victer
had often resOrted to secure q railway
coach to himself and which had never yet
been known to fail.
The said Victor would find himself in
an uneccupied coach and as soon as any
one offered to enter would roll his eyes in
fury, loll his tongue and make every con-
eeivable grimace and gesture. The would
be passenger Of course took him for an in
sane person and sought hastily another
coach.
"Now for Victer's trick" thought Ar
mold. and let the deed follow the thought.
The remedy indeed proved to be a
speedy one and put to flight in rapid sue
cession two stout ladies', an elderly gen.
tleman and finally an entire family. con-
sisting Of father, mother and daughter.
All Of these beat rapid retreat, giving
Arnold little or no time to study the fea-
lures of his discounted victims.
The whistle shrieked, the train started.
"Hurrah for Victor's trick" thought Ar
mold triumphantly, and, comfortably
stretched upon the cushions of his seat.
he was soon lost in sweet, dreamy revcr-
les.
Leipsic!
1t was nearly midnight when the train
arrived. The best that Arnold could do
| at such an hour was to obtain lodging for
the rest Of the night.
The next morning, having made a care
| full toilet, during which he made most
profound impression upon the barber in
attendance, he started out for stroll.
| Arnold resolved to pass the time until
evening in seeing the sights; but, too
| much concerned with himself to enjoy in
| full tranquility of spirit the beautiful
architectural works of the city, he con,
tented himself with promenade through
the streets. during which he gazcd attcn,
lively at every one he met in hope Of
meeting the one whose image had carried
away his heart Me previous day.
THAT is she," he would think as upon
| turning a corner he came suddenly upon
a graceful figure. And then he would
End himself face to face with Il we'll
dressed old spinster or bluslling maiden
| who felt fiattered at having made such &
marked impression upon such hand
some young gallant.
At length the hour of 6 drew near. His
time had come. Fastening to his hotel.
Arnold attired himself for the evening
and started for the dwelling of Herr
| Professionalism.
| Having been announced the servant led
him into the parlor. where he found Herr
Brettschneider, his wife and daughter
waiting his arrival. The young lady was
indeed beautiful. The photograph had
not done her justice.
With smile of welcome all three ad'
vanced to greet the visitor, when sudden
ly u cry burst simultaneously from the
lips of each:
my God! The insane man we met on
the train yesterday"
In q moment Arnold Erasrcd the situa-
ton. The family consisting of father,
L Il hf hnI ri