Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1900-11-10
Theodore and the Admiral.

The admiral was n man of his word
He was also a man of many words.
Therefore Theodore, his daughter, never
argued with him.
Dick LOTUS, young naval officer, was
pcnniless, and the admiral forbade him
the house. Theodore went into decline
and the admiral determined to take her
to the seaShore.
you want change of air, my dear.
You want sea air. A little visit to Dull
lon, eh? What do you say to Dulton?'
Just as you like, papa" said the
meek Theodore.
So they went to Dulton. Dulton has a
parade, and a pier, and a band, and
rows of bath chairs but in spite of these
attractions it is n pleasant place. AS
Theodore strollcd languidly along the
parade. leaning on her fathers arm, past
the pier and the band and the bath chairs
there was II smile ON her face.
Better already! cried the delighted
admiral. Quite n pretty color in your
checks, my love, | declared"
THE breeze from the sea is refresh
ing" said Theodore.
Every day the admiral and Theodore
strollcd in this way past the band and
the pier and the bath chairs, and as Theo-
dora's checks frightened and her smile
became more frequent her fathers ella
ton was great. His treatment was a
success. Trust him to know how to cure
u girl of her mopes, he thought. There
was nothing like change of air and scene.
What girl wanted was plenty of move
ment. Give her a good band and lot
of smart frocks to criticise and she'd for
get the whole navy in a week.
"The young puppy" he snarled aloud
as his thoughts overcame him.
"Where?" asked. Theodore demurely.
There growled the admiral, kicking
an ancient poodle out Of the way.
Theodore, whose thoughts never over
came her, smiled silently ut the scape-
not giving way yet.
They had passed the band and the en-
trance to the pier and were near the
bath chairs.
Papa" said Theodore, pausing and
looking back at the pier, chow l wish l
could get to the other end of the pier!
There must be lovely view. But it is
such long, long way"
80 it is-so it is. Much too far for
you to walk. You must not think of walk
ing it. But why not take q bath chair,
my dear! Here they are, waiting for
you. BY all means take bath chair"
Theodore hung back.
ooh, no. papa, l don't like bath chairs.
l would much rather try to walk"
Nonsense, child, nonsense. 1t is too
far for you to walk. You must take q
bath chair. l insist on bath chair. 1t is
most fortunate they are so near. Get in
at once, Theodore. | insist on it,"
Very WELL papa, If you really wish it.
Here. I'll take this one with the nice old
man. But you must walk beside me,
papa, all the way. You really must!'
and she laid a caressing hand on his
arm.
Now. it really was a long way to the
other end of the pier, and the admiral
was portly. BY the time they returned
to their lodgings he wished he had hired
bath chair for himself as WELL
The bath chair became quite an nstitu-
ton. Such was Theodora's delight with
the view from the farther end of the pier
that she insisted on going there daily
OF course she also insisted on her father
walking beside her. He began to wish
he had never suggested bath chair.
81 don't much like that bath chair man."
he said one day. Did you notice how
he scowlcd at me Yesterday"
"PoOr old thing" said Theodore. 81
think he is quite harmless. Besides, you
are always with me, so | can't come to
any harm"
mo, my dear, no, of course not. But
cr-l was going to say-er-I have some
letters-some important lctters-to write
today. What do you say to going out
alone today"
"Oh, papa, can't the letters wait?'
"No." said the admiral who had a
touch of govt, "the letters can't wait"
"Shall | sit on the beach instead Of
going on the pier, papa?"
what nonsense, Theodore! You are
surely old enough to go out by yourself
in a bath chair! 1t is nothing in the
world but affectation, sheer affectation!
Are you afraid because | said the man
scowlcd? Do you think he'll drop you
over the pier or run away with you or
what"
''Im not in the least afraid, thank you,
papa" said Theodore, with some dig
nifty.
SO the admiral wrote his letters, and
Theodore went out by herself in the bath
chair.
AS usual the solemn old man with the
white beard and the scowl drew Theo-
dora slowly along the parade, past the
band and toward the pier. But when he
| came to the entrance of the pier he pass
ed it. which was unusual.
Theodore made no sign.
The bath chair wheeled slowly away
from the parade, and still Theodore did
not speak. The people who passed the
invalid in the chair thought she was con-
sumptive, for her cheeks were flushed,
and her eyes shone with peculiar light.
| The bath chair passed through the
| principal streets into the suburbs, and
still the old man never paused or looked
back. Theodore sat upright and breath
ed a little heavily, but she made no
remonstrance.
At last they left the town behind them
and began the long ascent of the Downs.
The passersby stared little, for bath
chairs were not often seen in that neigh
borhoOd. The old man toiled on weari-
| ly, silently. The brow of the hill was
reached at length. Below them lay lit
| tie inn and n railway station.
as it much farther?" asked Theodore
from the bath chair.
at is here" said the old man, point
ing to the railway station.
Then, there being no one in sight, he
! took off his beard, and, lifting Theodore
out Of the bath chair, he kissed her.-St.
James Budget.