HE PAID UP.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3700, 21 July 1906, Page 4

HE PAID UP.

A Wedding That Cost Stnart Rohson 000. “I read in the newspapers one morn Lag,” says Nat C. Goodwin, “that Law rence Barrett’s daughter had been married, and that among the bridal gifts was a check for $5,000 from Stnart Eobson. " ‘That can hardly bo true,’ thought L ‘Robson and Barret are groat friends, but Robson would not bo likely to give so much money ns a wedding present. The newspapers must be wrong. ’ "A day or two later I met Robson in Broadway. “ ‘Look bore, old man,’ said I. ‘How about that gift of $5,000 you are said to have made to Larry Barrett’s daughter? Have the newspapers been lying about you again?’ “ ‘Nat,’ said he solemnly, ’it’s true—true as gospel I Step out here one side, and I’ll tell you how it happened.’ “We retired to a convenient corner, and Robson told me the whole story, and it amused rue immensely. “ ‘About two years ago last summer,’ said he, ‘a young man called at my cottage In Gohassetj bringing a letter of introduction from a friend in New York. 1 was as cordial as I could be, and the fellow kept calling off and on all summer. He did not Interest me particularly, but he was harmless. One day he said to me, “Mr. Robson, that Miss Barrett is a charming girl.” “ ‘ “Ah, and so you have met the Barretts, have you?” says 1." “ * “1 have,” says he, “and 1 regard Misl Barrett as one of the most charming young ladies I ever saw.” “ ‘ “She is, my boy, she Is!” says I. “Pitch in and win her, and the day you wed her I’ll give you $5,000. And here’s tl to bind the bargain.” “ ‘Nat. I pledge you my word I hod no idea that anything further would ever oomo of the matter. My Idea was to encourage the fellow to spend his time at Barrett’s cottage instead of mine. But he was In earnest, it seems. I used to hear of ills being with Miss Barrett a good deal, and occasionally I would see them sauntering along the beach listening to the music bf the sad sea waves. But, ns I said, I thought nothing serious o*f it all, and I forgot all about my stipulation involving the $6,000. So you can imagine my astonishment, my horror, when, about two months ago, that young man turned up at my cottage again, wearing a particularly triumphant smile. “ 4 “Mr. Robson,” said ha, “I’ve done

u.” “ ‘ “Done what?” says I. “ * “Proposed to hor,” says he. 44 * “Proposed to whom?” says L “ 4 “Why, to Miss Barrett,” says he, “and I’m going to marry herl” “ ‘ “Tho you arc!” says I, for the news fairly knocked tho wind out of me. “ * “I am, indeed,” says ho, ami then he reminded me of the promise I had given him about the chock. Yes, you may not believe it; but, Nat, the fellow had tho bad taste to recall that I had promised to give him a bridal present in case he won Larry Barrett’s daughter. “ ‘ “My boy,” says I as amiably as 1 oould, “Stuart Robson never forgot* and he never violates a pledge or a promise!” “ ‘The morning of the wedding I was feeling too Indisposed to leave my bod. I had been sitting up too late tho night before with a sick friend. So I called my daughter to me. “ ‘ “Alicia,” said I, “are you going to tho wedding?” “ ‘ “Yes, father.” “ ‘ “Then take this check with you,” said 1. “Bo careful not to lose it, and after the wedding hand it to tho groom. But, mind you, Alicia, do not give if. to him until after the minister pronounces them man and wife, for ho might drop dead in the meantime. 11 “ ‘When my daughter returned that afternoon, I said, “Alicia, is it all over?" " ‘ “Yes, father.” “ ‘ “And did you give him the chock for $5,G00?” " • “Yes, father.” “ * “What did he do when yon gave it to him?” “ ‘ “Father, ho cried.” “ ‘1 was gratified, I will admit, that my trifling benefaction had touched his heart, yet I was anxious to know the full extent of his appreciation. ” 1 “Ho cried, did ho?” said I. “How long did he cry?” " ‘ “Father, I am notsure, bnt I should say about a minute. ” "‘ “A minute! A minute!” said I. ‘ , ” I cried an hour before I signed that check!” ’ ” —Eugene Field in Chisago Record Army Intelligence. An army officer, Captain Poker Chip, who has been dismissed from tho army foi duplicating his cash account, was seen walking on tho street with a lady Several United States officers of the. Hull saw the couple, and Colonel Mountain Howitzer remarked to Major Blow: "I can’t comprehend how Poker Chip has the cheek to be seen on t he str-sns with n woman who would so far forget herself as to walk out with a man of his reputation.”—Texas Siftings Warned In Time. Mr. Hardnutt—l admit,sir, that my life has not been what It should bo, hut I truly and unselfishly love your daughter, and if ever I give her a moment’s pain I hope I’ll bo made to suffer torture for it. Old Gentleman (warningly)—Oh, you will! You don’t know her.—New York Weekly. Impossible. Mrs. Bellefield—Mrs. Oakland has a great secret. Mrs. Bloomfield—Oh, no! She oari’t have. “Why not?" 1 “If she had, she would have told it te me. ” —Pittsburg Chronicle-Telegraph. Hint to Benedicts. “I don’t like to interfere in domestic affairs,’’says tho'Manayunk philosopher, “but I would suggest to the married man that it would be well for him to lot his wife bring up the family while he brings up the coal.”—Philadelphia Record. A Peculiarity. “Money talks," said the confident man, “Yes,” replied tho melancholy citizen, “but when it’s conversing with a poor relation it usually talks in a whisper.”— Washington Star. Defined. “What do we mean by health?” asked the teacher. “Health,” said a timid little voice, “is when you’re real fat :.r? have lots of skin!”—Youth’s Companion. _ \ Answered. “ How many bells ara ir thls> chime?*’ asked the curious traveler “Eight, all tolled,” said the sexton,— Indianapolis Journal ,