The Weakness of Ebenezer Brown. (FOR THE "FREE LANCE ")

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 109, 2 August 1902, Page 16

The Weakness of Ebenezer Brown. (FOR THE "FREE LANCE ")

(By J. Y. Solomon.)

IT'S bound to ooine soon. If I oould only get away to Switzerland, to Pans, to the North Pole, anywhere to enjoy a few weeks liberty. Here it is the middle of May, and Selma always goes before June. I wish to goodness she and Mary would \ lsit that precious sister by themselves, instead of dragging me down to that beautiful spot. Of course, Mumbleford ib all very well in its way, but 1 don't go for a holiday to be buried ahve. I'd give a good deal to get out of this annual fad of Selina's." Ebenezer Brown, managing director of the Goodwill Insurance Company, London, was in some respects not a man to be envied. When he married, he did not bargain on having to live in total subjection to his dear wife, and that sister Mary would be in constant attendance to back her up, to add fuel to the fire as it were. But such was undoubtedly the case, and full well did E B realise it as he smoked a cigar in the privacy of his study after dinner one evening. At least, he was allowed that privilege. , , Ebenezer's soliloquy was somewhat suddenly interrupted by a servant announcing "Sir Westly Matthews " and a HDoanent. later the visitor himself entered '"'Ha Matthews, old man, pleased to see. you. Yes, shut the door, it is a little ohiHv to-night, and I've had a, touch of toothache all day." "I can't stay long," interrupted hir Westly, seating himself. "Fact of the maitter is this, I'm going over to Paris «m Wednesday, and I thought perhaps you might care to make the trip with me. I know Paris fairly well, and 1 tMnk we oould put in a very pleasant month together. Now what do you say. Brown?" Ebenezer's eyes glistened at the thought of such liberty, he hesitated a moment, wavered in the balance, and then decided on taking a bold step. "I'm with you, old man," he said, presently, "We can keep the matter quiet, as cr — " "Oh you needn't worry about that, a6«rured Sir Westlv, with an understanding glance. "Mv brougham will call for you at 8 o'clock on Wednesday night, if that will siuit," he concluded, taking his departure a few minutes later. "Splendid, splendid," answered Ebenezer. "Yes: that will do finely. Goodnight and thanks, old man." "Good-night." Ebenezer lit another cigar, and drew his chair closer to the fire. "I'm a brave man," he mused, "and yet, if Selma knew she would in all probability brand me as an arrant coward to run away and leave them. But she will never know. Oh, no; there is no fear of that. I think they can manage very well by themselves for a few weeks. Well iihey will have to, so that is all about it. * I'll send them a wire from town saying that I will be back in a month, and not to worry. Oh, it will be great fun. This tooth will drive me mad yet. I must have it attended to before Wednesday, although dentists do not appeal at all to me." Ebenezer went to bed that night in high spirits, and appeared almost cheerful ait the breakfast table the next morning. "You really must get the tooth extracted, Ebenezer," his wife said, noticing the occasional paroxysms of his face. "Yes, I suppose so," replied Ebenezer resignedly, "but I don't like the gas, Selina." "The sooner it is over the better she continued decisively. "I'll go with you to Mr. Fowler's this afternoon. Its removal will save a lot of unnecessary trouble to everybody." Ebenezer did not dare demur, and so, in due course they journeyed to MV. Fowler's surgery. Ebenezer begged his wife to remain in the room while the extraction took place. He would feel safer he said. The old hypocrite, when he was going to fly from her in a few days. Mrs. Brown turned away while the troublesome tooth was being removed, but presently Ebenezer started mumbling inooherentdy, and she listened intently, wondering what his thoughts could be that she should five tongue to them in this. way. "Study — Wednesday 8 o'clock Matthews," he said. "Paris. He! he' What fun. There's not much fear of her knowing — Not much fear of that — " He came to, all unconsciousi of what he had said. It Was not much, but it was quite sufficient to arouse his wife's curiosity. She "lanced at him sternly several times on the way home, but said nothing. She would investigate matters for herself. Ebenezer was very busy in town all next day preparing for his departure. He was particularly careful to keep as much as possible out of his wife's path, in case she might broach the subject of Mumbleford.

Wednesday morning ai rived, and K. B. seemed a Little nervous at lunch. "You don't seem, well, Ebenezei," Mis Brown remarked, with more than a shade of irony in hei voice "Oh, it's nothing, cr — that is, I'm all right, dear," he answered awkwardly. However, he was heartily glad when the meal terminated, and he was free to make a few final arrangements in town. At a quarter to eight he \v as waiting in his study his coat and gloves on, his portmanteau hidden under the table Ten minutes to eight , he nas getting fidgety. Ah, he could hear wheels on the gravel outside. "A month without Sehna will make a new man of me," he thought to himself. "What would she say if she knew p " The study door opened and — Selma, oalm and dignified, stood on the threshold. "Well, sir, what does all this mean ?" she demanded, in the voice Ebenezer had grown accustomed to. "I-I'm just going over to the Club." answered the quaking deserter. "Do you generally take your portmanteau to the Club? Come, Sir, if

A general meeting of applicants for shares in. The Town and Country Cooperative Supply Federation, Ltd., was held on the 30th ult., in the Exchange Buildings, when there was a good attendance. Eigjht fresh applications for fithlares were handed to the organising secretary in the room. A meeting was also held at the wharf head on the 31st ult., when the organising secret tary addressed the wharf workers and seamen. There was a large gathering.