Year: 1874




evenly poised head and face nswervingly
to the front, AS if the mind were oblivious of
all about it and wholly absorbed in the con-
temptation of its own high purposes. The
peculiar jerk of his cane and its emphatic tap
upon the ground bctokened the man of gen.
ius; and even his coat-tails played upon the
evening breeze with wriggle so unlike the
wrigglc impaired by common men to their coat
tails that it was probably only another ndica-
tion of genius Scribbleton was often heard
to say that the fool who pretended to wisdom
and the wise man who pretended ignorance
of his worth were equally despicable. Be-
lievinS this and being of necessity conscious
Of his rare gifts, Scribbleton had never aped
false humility, and had thus insensbly fall
times in his walk, his whole dcmeanor too
great self consciousness.


Scribbleton had reached the park, and was
walking slowly with bowed head (for there
were zoo few people about to be much re-
garded along one of its winding paths, study
ing up some new phase Of misery for his
haplcss heroine, when shrill cry interrupted
his mcditations.


"a lady's voice." thought he, land evil
dcntly lady in trouble! What passing vii
lainy may not yonder trees conceal! Perhaps
some weak, lovely woman struggles in the
hands of low ruiiian who has chanccd to
find her unprotected; or possibly she is the
victim of an attempted abduction by some
hired miscreant working for the gold of
polished scoundrcl who having failed by fair
means to win her hand now employs foul. ;"


The scream is repeated.


''Ycs, 1t must bel How the scenes of ro-
nance pale in interest beside those of real life!
The realities of one day exceed all that the
imag ination Of "n age of story-tellers could
create. The woman whose scream l heard
is undoubtedly heroine, around whom gath
ers an experience of ten-fold more startling
interest than in my happiest moments haye
ever been able to conjure up for the heroines
of my imagination. The gentlemanly ruff
fan whose gold has paid for her abduction"


The scream again, nearer and more pierc-
ing than ever.


"How like romance, and yet surprising
romance! Just such scream as have put
into the mouths of many one of my ab-
Quoted ladies! Igencrally let the abductors
succeed for the sake of the scenic effect, and
so give the heroes chance to distinguish
themselves; but sometimes the interests of
the tale demand different issue. wonder
which result would in this instance produce
the most striking and symetrical effect"


Another heart-rend;ng cry, still nearer.


''This is really becoming a serious matter!
My sympathies are strongly aroused for that
lady, and even if it spoilt the story l should
like to sec her extricated from her peril.
Would that some brave knight were at hand
to rush to her rescue, and with proud indig-
nation strike to the earth the dastardly wretch
who assails her! Why, the devil take it!
never thought Of myself! Why shouldn't
rescue her! Strange that it didn't occur to me
sooner! Here goes, anyhow


A few steps through the trees IN the direc-
ton of the voice, and the whole scene burst
upon his view-a beautiful girl of seventeen
years flying, with hair disheveled and face
expressive of the utmost terror, from great
ruffianly goose, whose vengeful beak was al
most near enough to seize the hem of her tlut-
tering garments.


Courage, lady! come to protect you!
No hurt shall come to you but oyer my dead
body" shouted the noble and self-sacriicing
Scribbleton, as grasping his cane more firmly
he rushed to the conflict. But Scribbleton
was not called upon to make so great sac
rifice, though there is little doubt that he
would have done 80 had it been necessary.
With one well-directed blow of his cane he
terminated at once the attack and the asssil-
ants life.


The rescued lady was overwhelming in her
protestations of gratitude. She was young
and beautiful, Scribbleton saw at glance,
and he felt himself the luckiest mortal in the
world to have been able to render her this
service.


II have but done q simple duty" he an
swered modestly. II should have been lack
ing in the first requisites of gentleman had
l failed to come to your assistance. But
there are other geese in the park quite as fe-
rocious rs the one have just slain, and my
duty would he but half performed did l not
insist upon attending you to place of safety.
Do you fear to accept strangers company
to your homer"


'Not when the stranger has proved himself