The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-14

Sir, l accept YOUR invitation wit
great pleasure. These igayeties are indie.
unexpected | look forward, gentieme
days of your ladies as well
So she rose and dropped a courtes
while her man threw open the door, an
the deputation Withdrew.
In the evening the lady came to III
long room soon after the music CON
meneed. Mr.. PraPpet, bowling low ii
vited her to honor thesevening by dancin
a minuet. He presented a gentleman tn
son of Norfolk squire. who, with man
blushes, being still young, led out thi
lady, all jewels. silk. ribbons, and patche.
and with such grace as he could com
mand performed the stately dance of tn
fashionable assembly.
This done. the master of the ceremonie
presented another gentleman and her la
dyship condescended to a second dane,
after which she retired and sat down. Tn
first gentleman then danced with anothe
lady. The second gentleman succeeds
him. and dance followed dance. Mr.. Prap
pet presented to Lady Anastasia those o
! the ladies who belonged to the gentry
and she was presently surrounded by
| court or company, with whom she dis
| coursed pleasantly and graciousy. TIL
spa had found leader.
The next arrival from London was Sill
| Harry Malyns, a baronet and country
gentleman whose life was wholly devoted
| to the pleasures of town. Those who had
seen the withered old anatomy carried out
of his carriage laughed at the thought OF
this ancient person still devoted TO the
pleasures of the town; Nay, said the
| him dressed. Wait till he has passed
through my hands. You think he is at
his last gasp. Indeed l thought so my
self when | gave him his sack posset and
put him to bed, but he will recover. Sir
| Harry is not so old but he can still bear
some fatigues.
There was another whose arrival caused
no ringing of bells or sallRat.ons by the
horns. This was "A certaiu Colonel Ian
yon. who wore the Kings scarlet, having
served and received promotion in the
kings armies. He drank the hardest. he
played the deepest, he swore the loudest
and be was always ready to take offence
y ct he was tolerated and even liked, be-
cause he was good company. He sang
songs: he told anecdotes; he had seen
service in the West indies and In many
other places; he had passed through many
adventures; he assumed, and successfully.
the manner of good sportsman. free
with his money. who played deep paid
his debts of honor at once and expected
to be paid in like manner
Last of all came the prince of this
company, Lord F'ylingdale himself
Sir Harry Malyns being asked if he
knew his lordship, shook his head. we
of the gay world he said. speaking as a
young man. do not commonly include
Lord Fylingdale among the beaus and
bucks. There Is In him certain haught-
mess which forbids the familiarities COM
mon among ourselves.
is he, then saintf
why, sir, l know nothing about saints
There are none"
Sam Semple showed good sense In going
around to visit his old friends. Among
others he called upon Captain Crowle,
to whom he behaved with singular dis
cernment, in such way as would please
the old man. for on board ship we like
cheerful sailor. one who takes punish
ice thereafter. A ship is like a boys
school, where fiogging wipes out the
offence and master and boy become good
friends after it, whatever the heinous-
Sir said Sam, standing before the
captain, modestly you will understand.
frs: of all. thar | am reminded in coming
here of the last time that | saw you
Aye. my lad, j have not forgotten"
The captain did not rise from his arm
chair. nor did he offer Sam his hand.
He waited to learn In what spirit the
young man approached him.
Believe me, sir said Sam Il am
not unmindful of a certain lesson. rough
perhaps. but deserved. The presump-
ton of youth. ignorance of the world,
ignorance of the prize, to which l
needed. | was then both young and igno-
rant" 1t must be admitted that Sam
possessed the gift of words. Indeed. 1
was too young to understand the humble
nature of my origin and my position and
TOO ignorant to understand my own pre-
sumption. Therefore. sir. before / say
1 p
That presumption, sir, can never. i as
sure you. be repeated I know at least my
OWN place and the distance between a
,ertain young lady and myself
you talk in that modest way | bear no !
maiice-none-wherefore here is my hand
IN token of forgiveness. And SO on that
head we will speak no more"
He extended his hand. which Sam took,
still in humble attitude.
Il am deeply grateful. captain he said. 1
You win perhaps before long find out
low grateful l can be-" Time, in fact.
lid show the depth of his gratitude. Z
Well. sir. ! am now in high favor with
ny Lord Fylingdaie on whom you waited
his morning"
II hope his favor will end in a snug
,lace, Sam. Forget not the main point.
Well your patron is goodly and prop
r man 10 look at. Sit down. Sam. Take
glass of home brewed. You must want
t after the ale of London. which is. so far
: | remember. but poor stun. Well, now.
bout your noble lord He is married
nan. ! suppose?
lease"
"Ah, And I suppose, like most young
oblemen. something of profiigate, Ell,
am? Or gambler, likely? One who
as injured many innocents? Eh?" The
aptain looked nightly cunning. II
-Sir-sir''-Sam spread out his hands in
distress me. Lord Fly
ngdale a profiigate? Lord Fylingdale
Captain Crowle-" He spoke very
The tears came into his eyes.
lie laid his hand upon the captains knee.
Sir, 1 assure YOU he is, on the contrary
ne best of men. There is no more virtu-
US nobleman In the country. My tongue
tied as his iordship's secretary. else |
Duld l tell of good deeds. Truly, his
ght hand knoweth not what his left hand
Oeth. My lord is all goodness"
Aye, aye. This is good hearing, in
eed.
lay take part at table. but not a gam I
Ter. No man is less a gambler. What
9th it matter TO him if he wins or loses
little? He neither desires to win nor
oes he fear to lose You will. / dare I
iy, see him in the cardroom just to .
1urage the spirit of the company {
"A very noble gentleman, indeed" The /
iptain drank a glass of his home brew /
"A very noble gentleman, truly. Go $
4, Samuel Semple" v
ALSO he is one who Captain. if /
lere is one thing in the world that my v
1cency and leaves his victim to starve. p
o, sir; his lordship is a man of the mic @
I honor and the highest principle" I
He has secretary who is grateful, at a
asst. observed the captain. f
His sword is ever ready to defend the &
.lpless and to uphold the virtuous. b
ould to heaven there were more like the W
ght honorable. the Earl of Fylingdale.' W
Look you. Master Sam" said thee cap fl
in. Your good opinion of your patron
res you credit. | honor you for your Il
nervous words. 1 have never so far, and h
am now past seventy. encountered any t.
IN who was either saint or angel. but o.
every man have / always found some ri
w. whether of temper or of conduct t.
that do not pretend to believe all Il
at you make ont h,
Sam Semple sighed and rose II ask .,
I for your entire belief. sir. 1t will be In
fhcient II you learn. as | have learned |
E great worth of this exalted and in
y ma NlaV for fata
g all human. but | know of none. So
take my leave. | venture to hope. sir.