The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-09-27
MAKING
A SHOW

Ey D. J. EINLAT.

LUZ any VI IGld-
tives. The reason for this
Seo< was. doubtless, that he was
more communicative and
fompanionable than any relative out
ide of my immediate family. He
Fould sit down and spin yarns for me
~ the hour whenever we were to-
ether; but there was one subject on
Ehich, for number of years, I had
ailed to draw him out; and that was
ften matter of serious thought to
ae, and I determined to find a good
opportunity to get at the facts in the
3aSe
One evening, as We sat together in
hy uncle'S comfortable mansion, 1
pund him in a very communicative
hood. and, to my ast0nishment, he
reached the subject which 1 had
romised to bring up.
MY dear boy" said he, II suppose
ou have often wondered why I re-
hained an old bachelor"
Yes, uncle" said I, in an airy, off
and way which did not at all betray
be depth of my curiosity. Il am sure
ou must have had ample opportunity
see the cream Of society and make a
eitable choice Of companion"
Well" said he, II will tell you; and
be story may be good subject for
our dreams of future speculation.
When I was young man I was
ther fond Of making a good show in
= pciety. At times this was performed
a a very limited capital. Shortly
|fter I settled in New York I made the
cquaintance of a beautiful and esti-
liable young lady, Miss Clorinda Swan
nd lost no time in paving the way
pr matrimonial alliance with her.
Zone evening the subject Of conversa-
on between US ran upon operas, and
: ne upshot Of it was that I invited
lorinda to so to the Academy of
(usic the next evening. AS I have
bid, my means were then rather lin
ed, and now had just enough left
pay for the tickets, but no surplus
= pr carriage, supper and ct ceteras.
18th these determined to dispense, as
thought my fair Clorinda was too
Pnsible TO be affected by the loss.
Fortune favored me at the start:
be evening was fine and the weather
= y, so at the appointed time I made
y appearance, dressed in the best l
Puld afford, and waited patiently for
orinda. She soon put all my fears on
be carriage question to flight by as
tT1nS me that she preferred walking.
I'VE chatted gayly on the way to the
= ademy, and were in due time for the
Frformance, which was the opera of
fartha,' with popular prima donna
the leading role. Of the perform
hce I need not speak. The opera
as all that we could desire, and was
T. ndered most admirably.
when the performance was over we
; eScended the stairs amid the gay
rong, and soon reached the sidewalk.
Sut, oh, horror, of horrors. It was
lining! What was I to do? To get
carriage, without having a cent to
~ for it, made my blood run cold.
happy thought occurred to me in
oment, and in a nervous whisper 1
sked Clorinda if she had rubbers on;
ht, to my dismay, she answered:
No; my boots are very light, too,
Id could not think Of walking. We
lst get carriage
'Of course, there was nothing left
r me to do but to face the music,
ID hailed one Of the many drivers
ho was anxious to get passengers.
assisted my fair Clorinda to a seat,
d in few moments we were whirl-
g along through the rain. Hardly
d We gone two blocks when Clorinda
= id she was hungry, and asked me
stop and get supper. My feelings
n easier be imagined than described.
I thought Of my empty pockets,
d tried to reason her out Of eating
late at night. All my arguments
= Ere fruitless, however, for my dear
orinda was not to be thwarted.
Thinking that fortune might be-
lend NE by some means then a mys-
Fy to me, I ordered the driver to
bp at the nearest restaurant. We en-
red saloon and took seats at table
the centre Of the room. I deter
med to eat as little as possible, but
orinda was not by any means so del
hte, and quietly took the liberty Of or
ring what she wanted. In vain 1
bked around to see if by chance the
loon contained an acquaintance; but,
my dismay. not familiar face was
sible.
AS you may well imagine. I was not
q hurry to leave the table. but my
mpanion began to show signs Of rest
Is anxiety to get home, so 1 thought
bad better start and have it over as
bn as possible.
Fl had formed many plans Of how
Is to pacify the cashier at the desk,
the wretch had moro human nature
him than imagined.
while walking down the saloon |
tned to Clorinda and suggested that
had better so ont ard get into thn
rriage while I.was settling the bill
a buying some cigars, which I want
to take with me. To this, fortunate
she made no objection.
II walked on till came in front of
- E smiling individual who was wait
< for my cash. aud with rs bold IN
~ inuorepce as coald assume.