Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1903-12-05

Smith and His Counterpart,

'&H&&
BY CLARA AUGUSTA.

next morning, the keeper came In to
say that young lady wished to see
me.
A young lady! was Mortified, for
l had neither combs, brushes, or clean
collars. smoothed down my refrac-
tory locks with my fingers. fiirted the
dirty towel across my face rubbed
my boots with my handkerchief, and
my toilet being thus completed, was
ready to receive my visitor.
Shades Of Hebe and Venus! The
morning star itself was no comparison
to her! Blue dress, blue ribbons, blue
eyes, blond tresses, and voice sweeter
than flfty-dollar music box!
She rushed toward me, flung her
arms around my neck, put her soft
cheek against mine, hunted under my
mustache for my lips, and planted
there such regiment Of kisses as to
take my breath away. was, quite
willing to have her take it away, and
did not care picayune IL she kept
up this sort Of thing till Christmas.
Dearest cousin Johnv' cried she; ut
Is such a shame for you to be here!
But 1t is just like those laundering Of
fcers! They fancy themselves Won
derful in the detective business! They'd
arrest their own grandmother IL they
had one, darling"
eyes," said I, seeing that she paused
for breath, II have no doubt Of itv'
II read about your arrest in the
paper last night. 1t gave your name as
j. Smith, but J. stands for John, and
I knew it was you! told papa so,
but he said 'Pshawv But 1 always
have my way, and so I came down to
see you, without even stopping to
dress. Dear me! expect l am just
horrid in this old wrapper"
"Horrid" said I. "Why, thought
your dress was divine"
She laughed, and kissed me again.
[ hoped she would keep on doing so.
1t seemed to me the incest thing she
could do.
Papa is coming down in an hour
Or two to bail you out. for, Of course,
you are innocent, and old Streeter is
mistaken about your taking his dirty
money"
"Of course he is" said L.
"And yeu'll come up with papa to
dinner, dear John?"
Eyes, darling"
"Then, goodby." said she; II must 60
home ana order your ravorite ronst
duck, with oyster saucer and she
kissed me again. and vanished.
OF course knew that was playing
the part Of contemplate hypocrite.
but could not resist the temptation
of keeping still and letting destiny
work for me, especially when such a
lovely girl represented destiny.
Papa came down, as she had told me
he would, and how he managed it
do not know, but the thing was settled
in the course Of a couple of hours, and
I was riding with him in handsome
carriage, drawn by pair of high-step-
ping bays, going to dinner.
Alice-that was what her father called
her-received us cordially. She was
dressed" now, and suppose all these
aounces and puffs would not admit of
her kissing me, since she did not do it.
My heart sank. wished myself back
in prison, If pretty Alice We're SO much
more affectionate in prison than out
Of it.
But Alice had me sit near her at the
table, and she sweetened my coffee.
and dished out my roast duck with
oyster sauce. And I adored her, and
was very near telling her SO.
We had just got to pudding when a
servant opened the door, and ushering
in a gentleman, announced:
"Mr. John Smith,
turned, and confronted the visitor.
1t was like looking in glass. He was
my exact counterpart in every partic-
ular. Our own mothers could not have
told us apart.
CONSERVATION was on his facet
reckon it was also on mine. Alice was
white with horror. Papa stood rub
bling mis- glasses and trying to convince
himself that the trouble was in his
leyes.
"Jupiter! said the newcomer; "whO
are you"
John Smith, sir" said I. "Who are
Your
John Smith, sir" said he; and then
he saw how ludicrous it all was, and
burst out laughing.
"What have l dOneT' cried Alice.
ooh, what have done?"
Don't cry, cousin" said John Smith,
the nephew; I'm have an explanation
at once" Then he turned fiercely to
me and demanded one. I told him !
should be very happy to accommodate
him, and did 80.
Papa GOrdOn-that was his name
laughed heartily. But Alice crept out
Of the room, and was sure her eyes
. were running over with tears, and l
felt like malefactor-yes, indeed! like
pair Of them.
. But John Smith, the nephew, gave us
very good news after all. Mr.. Streeter,
who was the said Johns employer
, had been mistaken in his suspicious re.
! garding his clerk, and 1t had been
clearly established that Streeter's own
, son was the guilty one.
So. altogether, we had nice time
congratulating Ourselves-John and L
{. and Mr.. Gordon rubbed his glasses
, and seemed highly delighted over the
episode.
! 1t was long time before Alice came
: back to the room where we were sit
J ting, and then managed to draw hel
aside for moment to ask her pardon
7 for not having undeceived her at once
: Really" said I, ut was all so de
;. lightful that I could not speak the
J, words which would drive you AWAY
e from me-"
: And what more said would not in
t terest anybody.
went about my business the mex
t day, but on my return l called at TIT
e Gordon mansion. and two months ag'
!, l prevailed on Alice Gordon to accep
Al.