Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-08-14
The Strategy
OF Mitchell.
How He Eliminated a Curate
From a Love Affair.

CCCCC(SSCCC()e)GC OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
II I had not been very good friends
with Perry, the carman, should never
have had this story.
Miss Mary Fernie was very nice girl.
There can be no doubt about that. Stro-
mer had no doubt about it, Mitchell had
no doubt about it, and a great many 9TH
er fellows who knew Miss Fernie had no
doubt about it. But Richard Stromer
and Hilton Mitchell were from the first
the only two in the running. Mr.. Fernie
tolerated them alone.
Mr.. Fernie was the obstacle. he had
made money and therefore had small
opinion of those who had yet to make
theirs This was the reason why Stromer
dreamed sometimes that he was rich, and
if goldfield had suddenly opened up in
the middle of Western road Mitchell
would have jumped into 1t. Other people
would have jumped into II, too, but he
would have been there first.
Mitchell was an average decent young
fellow in business on an unsatisfactory
salary. Stromer was an embryo curate,
within month of his twenty-second
birthday and a final examination to pass
He wore spectacles and suffered when
he was excited. Mr.. Fernie liked him
because he had an idea that curate was
so much more gentlemanly than anybody
in business. Miss Fernie, if anything,
favored Hilton Mitchell.
One evening Mitchell found that he
was beyond dispute the favored one.
don't know what he did when he discov-
cred that. but am inclined to think that
he kissed Miss Fernie. A week after
ward he said to her:
81 hate rotting about like this. Your
father, of course, won't listen to me-"
"Well, why don't you do something's"
said Miss Fernle.
Mitchell was properly astonished.
"Why, / do something every day." said
he.
"Silly boyr' said Miss Fernie. ''Why
don't you have some money left you or
something of that sortT
st does leave me-a great deal too
fast"
Don't be SO absurd" said Miss Fernie
reprovingly.
81 might get rise in another year or
So" said Mitchell tentatively.
you might be gray haired in year"
Miss Fernie retorted
Mitchell began to work systematically
lOT u TlSt. II tdLlt- SH Inc uns
that he obtained it letter came for
Stromer by the half past post. Stro-
mer was just starting for the Friday
night meeting of the Church Literary So
ciety when he saw the letter In the hall.
1t was a notification from firm of So
licitors that an almost forgotten aunt had
died considerably and left him money.
Stromer had big brown book in his
hand, Grants Ethics of Aristotle" from
which he intended to obtain references
for that evenings debate. He put the
book down and made a queer little figure
as he danced up and down the hall, hold
ing the letter on high.
''I'll see Mr.. Fernie tonight after the
meeting" he said to himself, "and I'll
show him this letter."
Mitchell was also at the meeting of the
literary society. and Stromer unburdened
himself Of the wonderful news. Mitchell
had also intended to see Mr.. Fernie that
night. and now he scented danger.
Coming for walk when this Is over?n
he asked Stromer affably.
mot l." replied Stromer, wagging his
head I've got some business to see
to-"
"Oh, you rotter," said Mitchell to him
self. $50 you're going to have shot,
are your"
Aloud he said: "Let that go till to-
morrow, man. You're not so busy as all
that. Drop In at the Y. NJ. with me for a
minute or two"
"No. thanks" said Stromer. TITS inn
portant business really"
Hilton Mitchell was In despair. If
Stromer got there first with his news.
Stromer would win as far as Mr.. Fernie
was concerned. He listened to Stromer
quoting Aristotle with a burning desire
to arise and STAY him.
When the meeting was over. Mitchell
fingered on various pretenses. keeping
an eye on his rival. At last they were
the only two left In the schoolroom where
the meeting had been held. Strirner
was superintendent Of the literary soei-
ETY. and the keeper of the keys
Mitchell stood at the open door and
looked out on the narrow, brick paved
lane which leads up to the Sunday school.
He went few steps from the door. with
sudden idea Of running as fast as posi-
BILE to Mr.. Fernie's house. But. then. he
might slip on the muddy pavement, or
lots of things might happen. and it would
be impossible to interview Mr.. Fernie be-
tween intervals of catching his breath.
Besides, Stromer would be hard upon his
heels. AT that moment the great hulkipg
figure of Perry. the carman, blocked the
opening at the end of the lane. Stromer
was still busy in the lighted room, put
ting books away.
Perry had got. as be called It slight
fnuch 0f the daolali fnaflof PERRY has