The new enterprise. (Madison, Fla.) 1901-1908, 1905-09-14


uneasy chances ever and anon down the
street. but Vincent did not comes
rs lie generally so late, my darllng?"
asked the lSind-faeed mother.
And Louisa colored and stammered.
and only .made out to say:, : 81.
Sometimes"
The deacon and some of the brothers
exchanged chances. The deaeon's wife
and one or two of the sisters wiped
their eyes.
"Tll just walk down the street n
little and meet him." said the deacon.
And he went.
The worthy man had gone a couple
of blocks, when he recognized in a man
staggering toward him the one who
had won from his old age its last cher
ished flower-and only to crush 1t.
He turned, and was slowly retraclng
his steps, when Vincent Lenoir came
up with him.
Don't know what Lou'll say" he
muttered to himself. "she's mighty par
tlc'lar;" then laying his hand on the
deacon's shoulder: "What dyou think
bout It, old man--don't you think she's
mighty par-tlc'lar?"
What about?" asked the deacon,
huskily.
bout me an my in'cent in.dul-
gences."
The old man made no answer. His
heart was too heavy for speech. He
had hoped to find his daughters hus-
band all that could be desired; and how
had his hopes fallen!
but I'll tell you, old man. there'll
be an uncommon time tonight. You
see she's looking for her folks-straight-
laced set-and she's 'fraid won't
make spectacle 'pearance-don't you
see? But let 'em rip. I'm my own
boss yet, old man. and l don't care a
snap for their silver weddings, nor
their 'spect either don't you see?
Straight-laced set; very narrow-mind-
ed, you see."
When they reached the house occu-
pied by Lenoir the deacon followed his
son-in-law up the steps.
"Golng in, old man? Well, / do
know as I'd better let you. You don't
look ex-exactly spectacle you see, and
Lou'll scold and 'cuse me of 'soclating
with old IA gmuffins; so you see faint
convenient. Come down t. the inn
t'morrow night, and I'll be there.
You're brlck-you are"
Notwithstanding this the deacon was
close upon Vincent's heels when he
opened the door and appeared in the
presence Of his wife and her relatives.
Louisa, too overwhelmed with morti-
fication to utter II word, sank down in
chair In corner of the room. The
intoxicated husband took no notice of
the strange faces before him. Turning.
he pushed u chair toward the deacon,
with:
"slt down. old brick. an make your
self at home. I'll let Lou know 7 I'm
gov'ner here"'
The brothers and sisters of the hui
inflated wife had risen from their
seats and stood around in silence.
Presently vincent's eyes lit upon Mrs.
Newcombe's face. The old lady was
holding the baby in her arms, but no
one save a man in his condition could
have mistaken her wrinkled face for
that of his young wife.
He went up to the deacon's wife and
clapped his hand on her shoulder.
"Glum as a ghost, ch? But you see
I'm gov'nor here, in'pendent IS king
on IS throne" and he made flourish
with such force thae he well-nigh lost
his balance. Settling his hand again
upon the old lady's shoulder, he low
cred his face till 1t almost touched
hers. "D'ye see that old chap sitting
there peac'be IS a Quaker? Well, he's
a friend Of mine. want him treated
'th proper 'spect, or I'll 'venge m'self
b. coming home in 'stonishing state of
ELEVATION when your str'straight-laced
folks are here"
At this juncture he beheld himself re-
fected in large mirror. Instantly
striking a pugillstlc attitude, he de-
handed:
"Who are you, gaping at gen'man
in that style, an haven't the manners
to take off your hat? I'll let you know
I'm boss here!"
The drunken man executed second
flourish with his arms high in air and
fell upon the floor. in his rapid descent
nearly knocking his mother-in-law off
her feet. The deacon seized his hat
and overcoat At signal from him
the others got their things, and then all
slowly filed out of the house. The
mother tarried moment to bend over
her daughter, who, covered with
shame, sat still in the corner. She
offered her the shelter Of her old home,
but Louisa only looked at her husband
and chnnl. har hend