Year: 1873

harmless custom, the source of no little |
amusement, and in the case we are about |
to relate was productive of something
akin to "fun alive" At party in this
city, a short time ago, a gentleman and
lady went through the ceremony of dis
posing of the twin kernels of an almond,
and, contrary to the usual custom. the
lady stipulated that if she should be sue
cessful in saying 'philopena'' first, she
should have ring of certain unique
and costly pattern; and he, in turn
well, what do you think he did? Why,
the s.horrid thing" actually had the i'm
pudence to do little stipulating on his
own account In case he lost, he agreed
to draw his greenbacks for the purchase
of the aforesaid ring, providing she, in
the event of losing, would permit him
to kiss her in public-say at the first
party they attended after the wager was
decided. This was agreed to, and each



went home thinking up plan to outwit
the other


The young lady made no secret of the
affair, and confidently told all her lady
friends that she couldn't help but win,
as she was determined to be so very, very
cautious. She was sure it would
mortify her dreadfully if she should be
compelled to offer her cheek to the i'm
pudent fellow before d crowd of people.


Besides she actually wanted just such a
ring as she had bargained for. No fear
of losing. She would like to see the mas


culine who could outgeneral her. Indeed


size would.


Now Charlie Chats his name), even


in these hard times, wouldn't mourn


much at the loss of a ring, but when he


heard that his fair antagonist had adver-


tised him as ''fat, - whom it would be


SO easy to capture, his pride was touch


ed, and he resolved to 60 for that kiss


with all the energy he could command.


He made up his mind that, if he should


fail, he would ever after be in favor Of


woman suffrage, and shake hands across


the bloody chasm with Anna Dickinson


and Susan B. Anthony. In truth, he


had pretty much made up his mind that


he ought, in such case, to leave the


capital and take up his residence in New


Haren-in the Third Ward" where he


could vote for woman suHrage every day


in the year. But, as we remarked above,


he didn't intend to fail. He had already
hit upon a plan that he thought would
work. That plan was burnt cork.
One night, not long ago, Charlie got
himself up for the occasion in a manner
that would have done credit to the ''boss
Ethiopian delineator, and headed fol-
Lords HILL The lady lives in that
' direction, and if this was not strictly
true story we would give her name
| When Charlie started from home, he
thought his disguise was complete bui


by the time he reached the Post Office
. his faith in burnt cork had shrunk al


most as much as some of the Wall stree
e securities, and he greatly feared detec
); tion. To test his disguise he dropped
!. into Conklin's, where he was known BY


all hands. He asked the price of pai
y of gloves. Fifty CENTS" answered th'
! gentlemanly clerk. ''Too much" sale
y Charley. All de money Sc got in d.
> world am fifteen cents. Just thel
. ssConk' stepped up and told him tha
owing to the hard times business WASH
. quite so brisk as usual, and he shoult


make liberal discount on the gloves
: sln fact" said he, .1'll make you
q present of EN-


S Charlie put the gloves in his pocke
d and went out, feeling that his disguis
it was complete.


IS Twenty minutes later ''colored gem
l. man. stood at the front door of a Gel
It tain aristocratic mansion .'on the hill
l. waiting for Miss, whom the servan
is had gone to summon. She soon mad
r her appearance, wondering what color
ed man could possibly want of her. An
d not until she reached out her hand for
y profered package, and heard the aggra


waiting word "Philopena!' did she com
" prehend the trick. A trife less tina
n one second after Charlie heard the wor
Il ssWretchp p' and he glided down tn
re- walk, followed by cast iron umbrell
20 rack, which was the only thing that th
er indignant Miss could get hold of.


II don't care" she said, che is jus
NJ as mean as he can be- Then she wer
ye to her room and gave vent to her outrae


ed feelings in the usual feminine way
,e that is, she had right down good CRY


all by herself. She wouldn't care s
at very much if Charlie wouldn't tell of it
10 but she knew well enough he woult


And he did. The very next day ever
lv girl and fellow in their circle knew i
ee and poor Miss-felt awfully .'worke


up" in consequence. The girls all d.
Sc clared that she was too high spirited
to let him kiss her, after playing such a
to ungentlemanly trick But what coul


she do? Hadn't she promised? +? IL