The Irish standard., 1904-05-14

ample. And that is the point upon
which wished to consult you, SIR"
"Oh, it was," remarked John Smith,
lingering his chin whisllers. We'll, Ill
think the matter over and see you
again in few days"
John Smith took more liquor that
night than he had imbibed for many
years.
On the following evening the old
soap maker, while smoking in the con-
servatory, was made the unwilling
listener to a confidential conversation
between mis- wife and daughter.
''Mr. Van Not says" said the daugh-
ter, with emphasis, that papa posi-
lively must make some connection in
the business world which will give him
standing sufficient to justify an alli-
ance with the Van Nots. Positively
papa must buy an interest in a bank
big enough to make them elect him
vice president, or something"
With a snort of rage John Smith left
the conservatory and the house. When
the subject was broached to him, how
ever, he was unexpectedly tractablo
usual efficiency, managed the matter
forthwith. He arranged to be made
second vice president of the Forty
eighth National bank at the coming
election. He then informed Van Not
of his action, and that he would give
1 his daughter a dot of a cool million
upon her wedding day.
4, All the preliminaries being settled, a
function was arranged for the purpose
of announcing the great event. For
the first time Mrs. Smythe found her
parlors filled with people to whom she
and her daughter had looked as the
very elect. For some unaccountabla
reason John Smith was late. He was
not there when the curtain was rung
, up, but appeared later SO smoothly
groomed and faultlessly dressed as to
warm the hearts of his wife and
daughter and Leslie Archibald Van
Not. The latter seized upon him and
led him into the group of his most i'm
mediate relatives. The interest of all
the guests was centered upon the in
PRODUCTION to the exclusive Van Nots
to the new parvenu who was to re-
juvenate their fortunes.
"Mrs. Van Not" drawled Leslie
Archibald, "Allow me to present Mr.
Smythe, quite a figure, you know, in
the banking world. Mr.. Smythe, my
mother, Mrs. Van Not"
'De-lighted, l assure you, ma am,
rejoined John Smith, heartily, but there
was dangerous glitter in his eye
"NIy young friend here is slightly mis-
taken. My name is not Smythe, bu1
Smith, plain John Smith, and I'm MOI
banker-just bought little Interest
in bank to please Nellie, my daugh.
ter" Then, raising his voice. "I'm {
soap-maker, ma'am. That's the way
made the money the young man wants
making soap; and it was good soap
ma'am, none better; pure as the mora
in dew and honest as old Abe Lincoln
A full pound to the bar and not al
ounce of animal fat in 100 vats."
There were unmistakable signs O
collapse in the aristocratic group, bu
the old man pushed right along:
you've probably heard OF the soap
ma'am - every housekeeper has
Smiths Sunburst Soap, warranted
strictly pure and a full pound to bar
with a blue tag to save, SO when yol
get 100 you get silver-plated set O
knives and forks. That's me, nam
I'm John Smith, originator of Smith
Sunburst."
He paused minute TO get the ful
enjoyment of the situation and wen
on: "Of course, don't like to see Mel
marry below her, but If she want
this young fellow l reckon we will
have to waive the point-ma and |
We always have let Nell have wha
she wanted, you know. I've told hin
. I'd give Nell million for a dowery
And I've been thinllin' how to do i
SOS to let the boy here have a chanc
to make a man of himself. Now, tn
old soap plant that I sold has kind G
run down. l can buy it back for a mi.
lion and I'll jest give it to the youn:
; folks and the boy can take hold an,
build up the business again. II h
wants to get his name in he can ge
out new brand and call it Van Not
Vivifier,' or something like that. don
care. I've had my share of glory. AL
want is to give the young folks {
: chance. Why ma'am, your son may We
make almost as big man of himsel
as his great grandfather, who sol
: skunk skins and founded your family
Only the old rascal made his partly b
: cheating the Indians. This soap bust
less is all clean, straight, honest bus:
3 ness"
r At this point Mrs. Van Not tainted
The Smythe mansion in the avenu
was sold week later, and John Smit
took his family back west, sadder, pei
e haps, but undeniably wiser
2 THE SONG IN THE BLOSSOMS
l There's q mockingbird a-singng in tn
, blossoms wavin' free.
And his songs a hallejah and a holida
to me!
1 He thrills and fills the south winds a
= the violet-banks along,
And the world has more of sunshine. an
the summers in his song
Singing, singing,
;, - All the joyful day;
Singing, singing
g The soul of you away!
Z And he seems to be a-saying: "NIlstt
Mar. Mister Man.
G Here's :. concert in the blossoms-mat tC
|, the music, II YOU can!
how in tho frao 3p \