The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-02-18

latter fact that worried his friends
more than himeslf. as he was quite una
ware OF the deficiency, Mr.. Podgers. on
hearing OF MIR. Bunthorno's devotion 10
whist expressed a similar admiration Tor
the amusement. A very warm friendship
sprang up over the first game. Mr.. Bun
thOrne was happy in discovering some one
whom he could beat. Privatels Mr.. Buns
thorne was convinced that nc was the
only one OF his acquaintances with any
knowledge OF the game, and whcn tneN
carried of the score he always attributed
IL 20 his politeness I'm refraining from
contesting their methods. ~ he AFTER
ward told his Wife Mr.. Podgers took ms
defeats without a word-like a gentleman
The fact was, Mr.; podgers knew so little
about whist that he was afraid 10 protest
lest he display his ignorance.
"A thoroughly agreeable fellow. i hah
no notion he had thought beyond money
making remarked Mr.; Bnnthorne. after
his guests departure. "lfe plays very in-
telligent game. think / shall have him up
70 take 9 hand with me against Uncle
Jerry and Major I'm sick and tired or
their pretensions. and eventually am de-
termined TO give them one thoroughly
good good licking td ! think Podsers ana
The first evening OF whist was followed
by many others. Mrs. Bunthorne was fond
OF the theatre. but could seldom prevail
upon her husban 10 accompany her. Like
most business men, he hated the trouble
of putting on his evening dress. MT.
Podgers. who developed a sudden fond
n 'ss for the opera and drama was al
ways at the ladies' service. he was
therefore as high in favor with Mrs.
Bunthorne as with her husband. The lat
ter was deeply grateful TO him for relief
from escort duty, so long as II did not
Interfere with whist. Then the family
friend was thoughtful with little atten-
tions In the way of flowers. books and
bonbons. No wonder Miss Bessie told her
friends. that he was really quite the dear
est old fellow IN the world. Mrs. Bun,
thorne, who was wiser I'm her day ana
generation than poor guileless Mr., POD
gers and unobserving MIR. Bunthorne'
was quite satisfied with the state OF al
fairs. She had ascertained that the STOCK
of the Consolidated Land and Lumber
company, of which Mr.. Podgers had a
controlling interest, was worth seversi
railroads. mining properties. &c. he had
other large interests. Mrs. Bunthorne
had for "A while been quite worried by
Bessies interest In her father 5 former
bookkeeper. a young man, by the way.
whose name and Initials coincided with
Mr. Podgers' own, the young man parents
upon him the more artistic name OF Ju-
lids Edwin The young mans devotion
TO society had left him so ennuied In the
morning that Mr. Bunthorne had In under
taking TO expostulate with the sleepy
bookkeeper. 40 greatly affronted him that
julius haughtily LETT his service. lie had
Sky Scraping building. where Mr. Josiah
Podgers was located at a. reduced salary.
but satisfied that he had vindicated the
dignity Of his position.
Mr. Podgers learned something OF this
affair from Mrs. Bunthorne In moments
of confidence.
'I wonder Of that valentine was intend
ed for hlm?" pondered Mrs. Podgers,
The mother of Miss Bessie well knew
how TO manage her daughters elderly ad-
mirer. one OF the most trusted adages
was-"The way to n man neart Is
through his stomach" Therefore she bid
Mr.. Podgers 10 dire and sup, and with tne
aid OF Brnthorne,s irreproaehable COOK
mary graces OF Miss Tabitha Simpkins;
with a mother who can COOK IKE
that" the sailess Mr.. podgers uyUIons Would
dish. what a splendid housekeeper Miss
Bessie must be-
Meantime the weeks and days were rap
idly rolling around toward spring. Mr.
Podgers had said nothing TO anyone of his
engagement To Miss Tabitha. He began
20 feel what he called "a natural aversion
TO giving up his liberty" one Sunday
morning, when his pastor preached a SER
mon In regard 90 Esau. Mr.. Podgers
caught himself specializing as TO whether
pottage tasted anything like fapJacks.
Miss Tabitha once every fortnight
wrote a dignified Letter. beginning. Dear
Friend" and ending yours respectfully.
that they were all well and discussing the
state Of the wealth in the village. Mr..
Podgers replied to the missive In some
thing the same fashion.
Affairs had gone on until April. Mr..
Podgers sometimes thought desperately OF
asking Miss Tabitha To release him. but
one morning came down TO the office
a little earlier than usual with the deter
mination of writing formal request Tor
freedom on his desk he noticed let
ter In Miss Tabithas familiar hand writ
ing He put IL in his pocket, grimly re-
solving that he would not be weakened
II his ns by re- broke hs TO her
as considerably n possible. but when he
saw the letter stamped and addressed he
hated to Look at Int It. He hSd no, had ss,b
or had caught him. little bare foot boy,
UP in his Oxhart cherrl tree. lie ordered
h m ce hS S SGY sox TO take aed S@
self to the morning papers, trying TO for-
get all about his letter. He did not re-
member the one i'm his pocket until he
went home to change his coat for dinner.
II may as we'll read IL now as not he
concluded resignedly as he tore II open
with scarf pin.
He walked over to the Chandelier ana
read
Dear Friend-I write TO let you
know that we are all well, and l have
decided that | can't bring myself TO leav-
ing the old place. am sure a man about
the place would worry me To death. IneY
are 80 careless. Sallys brother. BenJam-
in Howard, visited US last week. and IL
kept Becky and Sally and me following
him with the dustpan and broom all over
the house. What with snow and mud,
] fear 1 shall never get the spots out OF
my best carpet. ! am sorry 10 disappolnt
YOU, for you seemed real fond OF my Hap
lacks. Your attached friend
'sTABITHA SIMPKINS."
Mr. Podgers staggered. If he had wait
ed 10 open that letter I'm the morning
what an anguish he might have saved
himself.
Why had he not lost the letter or forgot
TO post IL or something7
In mad anxiety he rushed forth TO seek
the home of the office Mercury. The
youth was virtuously indignant that his
master could even suspect him of such an
omission of duty.
Yes, sir: put the letter In the shootin'
letter box in the hall on the steenth floor,
and when I went down in the elevator for
the paper YOU wanted ! seen the letter
man TAX ii out Of the box"
Mr.. Podgers felt his position keenly. lf
he had not sent that letter he could have
borne up bravely under the humilia tion,
feeling himself "A much injured individual.
Rather late the next morning he arrived
az his office, and I'm nowise good humor
To add 20 his irritation the office boy had
appropriated in the corner where hats and
coats were hung. MIR. Podgers' own par
ticular hook for his little brown over
coat a quantity Of gayly decorated ad-
vertiSlng cards. some lead pencils. the
atre program and letter fell TO the
floor
Mr. Podgers felt ashamed OF his tenn
per. and stopped To pick them up. The
letter was sealed and az he turned IL
over he recognized his own handwriting.
lie read the address and sank into The