The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-05-01
IL WERP IN N

VuIy, WdS W tue
pot inn. Now, there resided, 1t seems,
at Sunbury in a large house an elderly
gentleman. a bachelor of somewhat &C.
centric disposition. whose ruling pas
sion was for his garden.
This was kept in admirable order
and decorated with a %profusiou of or
naments in the very height of subur-
ban fashion-leaden Cupids, slate SUM-
dials, grottoes of oyster shells and look
ing glass. heaps of lints and overburn-
ed bricks denominated rockwork and.
beyond and above all. with a magntf-
cent vase filled with a flaming cluster
of fuchsias. geraniums and a number
OF plants with brilliant blossoms and
unutterable which faced the en-
trance.
Here u fine afternoon when the
flowers and reached their acme of re-
fulgence Mr.. Theodore pulled up his
dennet. A powerful pull at the bell
brought a sort Of half groom, half gar
dener. to the gate.
take the mare round to the stable,
put her in a loose box and rub her
down well. I'll come and see her fed
myself in a few minutes. None Of you
rascals is to be trusted"
So saying the young gentleman threw
the reins to the domestic, marched lei
surely along the broad, brown, sugar.
like looking walk. dexterously cutting
OF here and there an overgrown car
nation With his whip, and entered the
hall.
Giving another tremendous jerk to
the bell wire in passing. he walked into
the dining room. the door Of which
happened to be open, took up a maya
zine and threw himself at full length
upon the sofa. A tidily dressed maid
servant appeared at his
Bring me a glass of brandy and wa
ter, my dear. and send Boots"
Boots. brandy and water!" exclaim-
ed the astonished girl.
"You may fetch me a pair Of slippers
yourself if you like, SO make haste
and you shall have a kiss when YOU
come back"
Duped by the authoritative air as
sumed by the visitor lit would be indie,
corous to suppose another motive), the
attendant disappeared and speedily re-
turned with the slippers, observing, eff
you please. sir, l have brought you q
pair. but they are masters. and he Is
rather particular"
NONSENSE! Where's the brandy and
watery"
81 leaves out the spirits. sir;
he always keeps the key in his pocket"
II must be u deuced odd sort of
fellow then. Send him here"
Master is dressing, sir; he will be
down directly" And accordingly, aft
er a few minutes. Mr.. - made his
appearance in full evening dress.
MY good friend" commenced Hook.
without raising his eyes from the pa
per, ''allow me to observe that the
rules of your establishment are a little
inconvenient to travellers. have been
here above . quarter Of an hour and
have not been able to get so muchsas
a glass Of brandy and water. Bring
me Il Immediately and let me know
what you have for dinner"
II really beg your PARDON" said old
Mr.. - as soon as be could find words.
"but I am quite at a loss
$50 am l. my good man-for a glass
of brandy and water. Bring that and
another for yourself, and then l shall
be happy to hear whatever you have
to say"
But. sir. you must permit me to
state
81 was never in such a detestable
house in my life," exclaimed Hook,
starting up. What do you stand there
for instead of attending to my orders?
Am l to be kept here starving all
night? Bring the brandy and water,
dye hear?" s.
The old gentleman was struck posi-
lively speeches., his face purpled. He
seemed in Imminent peril Of choking
With a sudden con1ux of Ire, indis-
nation and establishment.
why, the fellows drunk" pursued
Theodore; "disgracefully drunk at this
time of day, and in his W parlor too!
I shall feel it my duty, sir. to lay a
statement Of this %inexcusable conduct
before the bench"
Mr.. - sprang to the bell. John!
Thomas! Turn this impudent scoun-
drel out Of the house!"
The arrival Of the servants led to an
explanation. Nothing could exceed Mr..
Hooks regset- What apology could
be made? He was u perfect stranger
to Sunbury. had been directed to the
Flowerpot rs the inn afording the best
accommodation, and on seeing what he
Imagined to be a gigantic representa-
ton of the sign in question at the gar
den gate he had naturally entered and
acted upon this erroneous impression.
This was b unkindest cut of all. To
find a stranger reclining in full possess
sion of his sofa and slippers was bad
enough, but to hear the highest achieve
ment of art he possessed-the admira-
ton of himself and friends and the
envy of all Sunbury. his darling Vase
to hear this likened to an alehouse sign
was a humiliation which dwarfed into
fnsigniacance all preceding Insults
London Evening News.
The Avacinfh