The Funny Philosophers, or Wags and Sweethearts. A NovelYellott, George
General
The Funny Philosophers, or Wags and Sweethearts. A Novel
Yellott, George
Fiction
"I promised to do so, and have ever since retained the paper in my
possession for the purpose of deciphering it."
"But what became of Dove?" asked the Professor.
"I must tell you," said Toney. "When I retired I could not sleep. I
thought about Rosabel, and then about Dove in the apple-tree, and then I
would roar with laughter; and Rosabel and her mother must have heard me,
for I could hear explosions of mirth in an adjoining apartment. Towards
morning I got into a doze and was dreaming that I had a hundred thousand
dollars, and had purchased a diamond ring for Rosabel, who had ordered
her bridal attire, when I was awakened by hearing voices in the garden.
I jumped out of bed and ran to the window. It was daylight, and under
the apple-tree I beheld Juba walking to and fro with the steady pace of
a Roman sentinel. Dove was perched on a bough over his head, and I could
hear him in piteous tones begging the negro to tie up the dogs. For a
long while his supplications made no impression on the obdurate African.
Finally he drew a coin of glittering gold from the pocket of his vest,
and the tempting bribe produced the desired effect. The dogs were tied
up, and Dove dropped from the tree, and leaped over the fence and
vanished."
Just then the loud sound of a gong, announcing the arrival of the hour
for dinner, was heard, and Toney and his friends arose from their seats
and walked toward the hotel.
CHAPTER XV.
In the afternoon, as the sun was descending towards the western horizon,
and the balmy breezes were gently stirring the leaves of the silver
maples which shaded the main avenue leading from the hotel, Toney, in
company with Tom and the Professor, proceeded on a promenade. They had
not gone far before they perceived Harry Vincent and Clarence Hastings
just in advance of them, walking slowly and apparently engaged in
earnest conversation. They overheard Harry say, "I tell you my mind is
made up. I am off for Mexico, and I want you to go with me."
Clarence shook his head. His mind was not yet made up.
"Did you hear that?" said Toney.
"Yes," said Tom. "Harry is going to Mexico."
"Do you mean the tall, handsome young man walking on the left?" said the
Professor.
"The same," said Toney.
"I thought he had military glory in his mind as soon as I saw him," said
the Professor.
"Why so?" asked Toney.
"A close observer can sometimes tell what is in a man's mind by his
walk," said the Professor. "From the erect manner in which the young man
carried his head and the determined tread with which he brought down his
foot, I was certain that he had resolved on a march for the Halls of the
Montezumas."
The Professor and his two friends had now halted under a tree and were
engaged in conversation, when Claribel and Wiggins came by, and as they
passed Harry and Clarence, Wiggins bowed, but the lovely Claribel never
turned her head.
"Did you observe that?" said Seddon.
"I did," said Tony.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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