Year: 1877

dred yards changed my mind, and thought
I would take swim in the lake. That is
aboutall the accomplishment possessed, and
one can't show that off before the ladies, you
know>not in the way you can dancing. l
disrobed under the branches of huge alder,
or sycamore, or some such tree, and struck
out for the other side of the lake. The moon
was shining brightly, and the water was warm
and delightful. Having crossed to the oppo.
site side, swan along in the dark shadow of
the nlders until l came to the sea beach. Then
I noticed that the moon was getting low. l
must return soon, before l was missed at the
party. After short rest, plunged in again,
and struck out for the place where | left my
clothes. I could find it easily by the large
tree growing there. In fifteen minutes [ was
there and, Pills, tell you, the situation of
things about that time was precarious."


Flows that?'


ri couldn't find my clothes Gone, sir
every article, except my plug hat l rushed
round among the brush and nettles and poison
oak like setter after a quail. Jerusalem !!
Whewl I tell you I got dose that lasted
me for month. Not rag Of clothing could
1 find At length happened to look up the
path toward the hotel. What do you sup
pose saw7 A cursed greyhound that be-
longed to my rival with my white vest, toss
ing it upon his nose, and dragging it about
among the dust and tarweed as though it bad
been an old dish.cloth. The situation flashed
upon me in an instant. The dog had stolen
my clothes in sport, and there was-out
there in the night air-with no possible show
of getting into the house without discovery.
Pleasant, wasn't it2"


"Decidedlyl"


"You don't know anything at all about it,
sir That was nothing to what followed.
Just as was wondering how in the dickens l
was to get out of the scrape, l looked up to-
ward the hotel again, and saw something that
fairly made my blood freeze in my veins. l
saw three persons coming down the path, and
1 at once recognized them as my rival, Will
kins, Miss Tootie, and another young lady.
They met the dog when about half way be-
tween the lake and the hotel. saw, by their
actions, the discovery of the vest had alarmed
them. They all came hurriedly down the
path toward the very spot where l stood
Pills, that was situation hope never to be
placed in again"


"Undoubtedly? Did you take to the wa
ter?"


II dared not do it; but it would have been
better if l had. You see, I had been in the
water too long already. was in an awful
shiver-goose flesh all over me. There wasn't
time to deliberate long My first thought was
to spring up into the tree, and | did 80. They
came rushing down to the waters edge, under
the tree, just beneath me. l could hear their
voices quite plainly. They we're discussing
the probability of my being drowned. I was
roasted up there on limb, shivering like sin,
nothing on but my plug hat, you know.


"By.and.by they began to talk about going
back to the hotel and giving the alarm. l
could hear one of the young ladies weeping;
but hang me if I could tell which one. l was
anxious to know, of course, for if it was Miss
Tootie, the fact would be significant, at least.
In my anxiety to discover which one was cry
ing, l crept noiselessly out a few feet further
on the limb. didn't stop to consider that
the sycamore is very brittle tree. Stretch
ing my neck to the utmost, / peered down
through the leaves, and-crash" "


"The limb broke ?"


eyes, sir; ap6 I found myself stretched at
full length on the sand, right in the midst of
them! o, Jupiter Pills, you don't know
anything at all about it. prayed for an
earthquake to open the earth and swallow me
up; but it didn't"


"Well, the denouement?"


"The girls looked at me moment in aston
ishment, and there was tremendous fluttering
of white dresses as they ran back toward the
hotel. Wilkins burst into roar of laughter,
and kept it up until I sprang up and collared
him, and told him if he valued bis life to
90 to the hotel and bring me my valise,
which contained an extra suit of clothing. l
made him promise to keep mum, too, until l
was clear Of the place. He was glad to do it
for if left he would have the whole field to
himself. He brought the valise as he prom.
ised, and I walked eight miles that night to
the next hotel. The following day took the
stage for the city. Miss Tusby married Will
kins, and I have never seen her since that
fatal night"


"And, therefore, you hate doggy"


"And who wouldn't? If it hadn't been for
that dog, never should have met with that
accident. I might have won Miss Tusby. l
might now have been the father of large
family, instead of misanthropic bachelor.
l might"


Here Bangs was interrupted by some one
rapping at his oficedoor. He unlocked it.,
and ushered in disconsolate looking fellow,
who, on seeing him, intimated a wish to con.
suit him privately. Bangs private office is
separated from his reception-room by sliding.
doors. Bangs invited his visitor in there.
and closed the doors, as he thought But it
happened that the track on which they run
was out of order, and the doors slid open
about three inches. Unavoidably listened
to the whole conversation.


"You are Lawyer Bangs, are you mott"
said the stranger.


Eyes, sir. Can do anything for your"


II think so. am unhappy in my mar
riage relations" w


"Ahl that's bad. Thinking of a divorce :"


"Yes, sir


"Ah perhaps it is best, where two cannot
live together happily. Personally, have al
ways thought the marriage state the only
happy one for man in the world"


"You are not married?"


90! no, sir-no, sir; might have been,
possibly, had it not been for an unfortunate
accident once"


"You ought to think yourself lucky, SIR"
interrupted the stranger.