Year: 1878

THE TABLES TURNED.


Il am no. sure that it rebounds much
io "ur credit. l will tell il, however as "A
warming"


So our guest answered an inquiry made
by young and, it must be confessed,
somewhat cOnceited member OF the little
party gathered together one winter even
ing around or dining table.


Hang the credit" that person replied.
He was rather uplifted, for he thought he
had that evening won distinction in the
sight of a lovely pair Of eyes. then vast
ing their sweetness in the drawing room.
The owner Of the lovely eyes had been a
widow for some years; she was rich
elegant and clever. There was humor-
Gus wrinkling about the mouth Of our
middle-aged guest, Us be answered:


Hang the credit SO can say now with
Il light heart. Then the credit was OF
more imp ortance TO me. However, you
shall Judge. You have heard, he vent on,
turning to the gentleman who headed the
table, that In the early days OF our settle
mcnt we were a wild lot. Large fortunes
had been made by the first settlers; and
it got abroad ut home that gold was to be
had simply for the asking. Adventures
poured in. The native war brought in
Of another kind-men whose
lives had been played out in the old coun-
try, and who were ready for any kind OF
,.cviltry. Oh! can assure You there was
Mt times singular collection in the settle
ment. l could tell you one or two tales
that would surprise you. This, however,
turning to the person whose remark had
provoked his tale-is not Of 50 desperate
IL character.


You must und erstand that at the time of
which speak ak-things are much changed
now-we had neither library, nor theater,
nor concert-room, and were driven now
ard then to queer devices for killing time.
Some few of us took up with practical
tests, but after time even these palled.
Every one in our community became so
wide awake that the most artfully con-
structed scheme broke down. II 1t did
succeed, on the other hand, the vengeance
taken was SO dire as to lie alarming. We
were sorely in need Of patient butt.


Ii happened that. at this time, young
solicitor whom fortune had not favored at
home, taking it into his head that compe-
tition was staying his talent, determined
10 try his fortune among us. He was GER
tain-and he was not far wrong-that In
such a community causes FOR litigation
would abound.


He was slightly acquainted with one of
INV friends, and wrote to him of his inten-
tion, asking him, at the same, to be 50
kind as-in the poor fellows own words
Just 10 let people know, you know, that
am coming.


The letter was shown about, and that
same evening my friend and i, with two
or three others whom We had let into our
secret, went out together, armed with
large pieces of chalk. In the morning
there was much questioning in the CON-
munity, for on every bit Of boarding.
every blank wall and gate, was posted up
i'm gigantic letterS--He is coming.


Again and again were the notices ex-
plunged bv indignant househOlders. Again
and again were they impOsin2ly repro
duced. The police were set on the watch;
We either browbeat or bribed them. Poo
ple began to think that there was some
thing mysterious In the business. We, OF
course, kept our own counsel, and at last,
one fine morning, n second advertisement
appeared 1t was TO this effect--He has
come"


In the interval our friend had heard
again. Il shall arrive by steamship Ben
ares our solicitor wrote. Il hope you
have let people know" We had let people
know To some purpose. II began to be
rumored about that a joke was on foot,
and the whole community focked to the
landing place.


To preserve the iolusion we had paved
the ietty with scarlet cloth, and decorated
il with flowers. As soon as the steamer
,lropped anchor, my friend and put on
in a small boat, TO receive and bring To
shore our distinguished guest.


He was a small. delicate-lookinS man,
with face as round as that OF woman
L had slight prickings OF compunction
when met him. He was so delightfully."-
frank and conflding. i say, he said 10
his friend. as we ncared the decorated
landing place, do they expect any swellg


They expect you. my dear fellow. was
the reply. Il let people know, Won know.


You must bc jolly hospitable set. But
what am Ia say 10 them all?


No necessity to say anything. Just
bow as you pass through.


-Ohi scarcely like


-You must, my Gear fellow. you must.
Not to acknowledge this brilliant inception
would stamp you at once As churl.


The young fellows color rose. He was
as shy and sensitive as girl; but rather
than appear ungratefui he would have
gone through any ordeal. and presently
oh, dear, can see II now-he was step
ping out on the scarlet cloth. and howips
:,raciously to his right hand and his left


No need for US to wink and nod behind
his back. II was understood that butt
was being brought into the community