The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-11
CHAPTER VII.
THE RAPID-FIRE LORGNON
SPIKED

SPIKED.
He found Uncle Peter in the cross-cut.
studying a bit of ore through a glass, and
they went back to ascend.
Them folks, said the old man, must
be the kind that newspaper meant, that had
done something in practical achievement. 1
bet that girls mother will achieve some
thing practical with you for cuttin' the girl
out of the bunch; she was awful tormented;
talked two or three times about the people
in the humber walks of life bein'
strangely something or other. You amt
such humble walker now, are you. son?
But say. that yellow-haired woman, she
amt a bit diffident, is she? She's a very
hearty lady, must say!
But did you see Miss Milbrey?'
''Oh. that's her name is it, the one that
her mother was so worried about and you ?
Yes, / saw her. Peart and cunnin' but a
heap too wise fur you, son; take my steer
on that Say she'd have your pelt nailed to
the barn while you was wonderin' which
way you'd jump"
''Oh. know I'm only a tender, teething
infant" the young man answered, with
mastery satire.
well. now, as longs you got that bank
roll you jest look out fur cupboard love-
the kind the old cat has when she comes
rubin up against your leg and purrin' like
you was the whole thing"
The young man smiled, as they went up,
with youths godlike faith in its own suffi-
cheney albeit he smarted from the Sights
put upon him.
AT the surface a pleasant shock was in
store for him. There stood the formidable
Mrs. Milbrey beaming upon him. Behind
her was Mr.. Milbrey, the pleasing model of
all city's refinements, awaiting the boon
of a hand-clasp Behind these were the un-
comfortable little man, the chatty blonde.
and the two solemn young men who had
lately exhibited more manner than man.
ners. Percival felt they were all regarding
him now with afrectionate concern. They
pressed forward effusively.
so good Of you, Mr.. Bines, to take an in
terest in us-my daughter has been so anx-
ious to see one Of these fascinating mines"
lawfully obliged, Mr.. Bines." Charmed,
old man; deuced pally of you to stay by us
down in that hole, you know" so clever of
You TO know where to find the gold"
He lost track of the speakers Their
speeches became one concerted effusion of
affability that was music to his ears.
Miss Milbrey was apart from the group.
Having doffed the waterproofs, she was now
pluming herself with those fussy-looking
but mysteriously potent little pats which
restore the attire apd mind of women to
their normal perfection and serenity. Upon
her face was still the amused look Percival
had noted below
"And, Mr.. Bines, do come in with that
quaint old grandfather of yours and lunch
with u.s." urged Mrs. Milbrey. who had, as
it were, spiked her lorgnon. Here's Mr..
Shepler to second the invitation-and then
we shall chat about this very interesting
West"
Miss Milbrey nodded announcement,
seeming to chuckle inwardly.
In the spacious dining compartment of the
Shepler car the party was presently at
lunch.
You seem so little like Western man.
Mrs Milbrey confided graciously to Percival
on her right
1--WE cal'late he'll fetch out all straight
though. in a year or So" put in Uncle Peter,
from over his chop, with guileless intent to
defend his grandson from what he believed
to be an attack. "Of course a young mans
an Eastern college like this boy went to-"
Percival had flushed at the compliment
to himself; also at the old mans failure to
identify IL as such.
Mr.. Milbrey caressed his glass of claret
with ardent eyes and took the situation in
hand with the easy confidence of a master
THE West" said he, affably has sent
us some magnificent men. In truth, it's
amazing to take count of the Western men
among us in all the professions They are
notable, perhaps l should say, less for de.
liberate niceties Of style than for a certain
rough directness, but so adaptable is the
American character that one frequently
does not suspect their-er-humble origin"
Meaning their Western origin?" inquired
Shepler, blandly, with secret intent to brew
strife.
"Well-er-to be sure. my dear fellow, not
necessarily humble-of course-perhaps
should have said"
"Of course, not necessarily disgraceful. az
you say, M!lbrey," interrupted Shepler
land they often do conceal 1t. Why know
chap in New York who was positively
twenty-five so, and yet that fellow to-
day''-he lowered his voice to the pitch OF
mpressiveness-"has over eighty pairs OF
trousers and complains OF the hardship ey-
cry time he has to go to Boston
Fancy, now!" exclaimed Mrs. Drelmer
the blonde. Mr.. Milbrey looked slightly
puzzled and Uncle Peter chuckled, affirm.
like one of those tugboats, with most of his
lines under the surface.
But, say, you know, Shepler," protested
one of the solemn young men, The must still
talk like BANJO
And gargle all his RS" added the 9TH
er. very earnestly. "They never get over
that, you know"
Instead of losin' 'em entirely" put In
Uncle Peter, who found himself feeling
what his grandson called ''Westy." "O1
course, he calls 1t Ne Yawk,' and prob'ly
he don't like it in Boston because they al.
ways call 'em 'rawroystahs.'
Good for the old boy:" thought Percival
and then, aloud: 1T Is hard for the West
and the East to forgive each others dia-
lects. The inflated r. and the smotherec
| r never quite harmonize"
Western money talks good straight New
York talk" ventured Miss Milbrey, with
| the air of one who had observed in her time
| Shepler grinned, and the parents of the
young woman resisted with Indifferent sue.
| cess their twin impulses to frown.
But the service Is so wretched in the
West" suggested Oldaker, the carefully
| dressed little man with the tired. troubled
! eyes whom the world had been deprived
| of .'I fancy, now. there's not a good waiter
| this side of New York"
IAN American" said Percival, never car
make a good waiter or good valet. 1t take:
| a Latin, or, still better, Briton, to feel the
servility required for good service of tina
| sort An American, now, always fails at 4
| because he knows he Is as good as you are