Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 May 1883 — "TANTIVY CLUB.” [ARTICLE]

"TANTIVY CLUB.”

BY THANE TAYLOR.

The room was brilliantly lighted by three crystal chandeliers. Around a long table, Uttered with periodicals, several individuals were reading or lounging, and the rest of the members present, numbering perhaps a score, were for the moment divided into two groups, respectively discussing politics and polo. In the latter and younger group was Agustus Tantivy, an exquisite of the first water, and owner of the club house which he ran chiefly for amusement; wealth and love of pleasure being the nine qua non ot membership. The polo men had become very animated over sonw point at issue in the last game played, when Fletcher, the rigid English Softer, a giant in size, appeared in the broad oorway and called the attention of the whole room upon himself by the extraordinary expression of his countenance, for he seemed; for the first time in his life, to be about to explode with laughter. “There’s a person at the door wanting admittance, and—l don’t know what to do about it,” stammered the man. “Who is inquired lor?” said one. “It’s not so plain, sir. There’s no card and —in fact—the stranger doesn’t seem able to talk.” ■ri “Why, fellow, what do you mean by acting so devilish queer ? Show the gentleman In, of course,” drawled Tantivy. The porter quickly disappeared, and, the curiosity of the Sybarites being excited, all eyes were upon him when, almost instantly, he returned, very red in the face, and in his arms he held a wicker basket which he brought in and carefully set on the table under the middle chandelier. The whole club moved forward to investigate the mystery, and there was a confused murmur of astonishment when they beheld, In the depth of the basket, lined with pink Bilk, an infant richly dressed and quietly slumbering. its tiny face was waxen white, and on its little head was a lace cap. “By Jove, here'sagamel” exclaimed Weed, who was ihe first one to find his voice. “How in the name of wonder did it come here?” cried-another. “I found it on the door-step, s r,” explained thd porter, enjoying the joke immensely. “But what can we do with it?” “Ugh. Send it to the Foundling’s Home,” responded one of thaolder men. “Unnatural mother'” was Hugh Severn’s comment, ar he thoughtfully regarded the ciflld. “Yes, pretty little beggar, it’s too bad!” chirruped lively Tom Chanter, tapping its cheek with his cane. “Aw—weal lace on its clothes,” said Tantivy, who had been examining the infant closely through his eye-glass, as though it was a fine work of art. “Hullo, ’Tivy! How the deuce do you know so much about dry goods?” laughed Harry Bristol, the greatest dandy of the lot. “Why, you see—er —my sister taught me the difference between weal and imitation lace, and it’s weally a wery important thing to understand, my deah fellow, for you may depend upon it if a young lady wears sham lace she either wants taste or means; both—er—you know, most fatal defects.” ’ “Gentlemen!” said Cyrus Burke, in a firm, sonorous voice. “I think our club ought to take up some philanthropic work, and I propose that we, as a body, adopt and educate this waif in the spirit of charity.” Great applause, upon which the infant opens its eyes, smiles and tosses aloft a coral toy covered with jingling silver bells. “The project meets with unanimous approval, continued Burka “Now then, let us make a solemn compact to maintain this child for a certain number of years, none of us to see our protege until he or she, whichever sex it may be. is, say, 17 years of age. Your hands upon it, gentlemen.” Twenty hands were joined above the child's head, and its fate was sealed. “The next thing is to name the waif,” said Burke.

“Y-a-a-s. By-the-by, is it a boy or a girl? Fletcher, you are the only married man heah. What do you say?” said Tantivy. “Oh! it’s a girl, sir, plainly; you see its hair parted in the middle. ” “So is Tivy’s. That proves nothing,” laughed Chanter. “What kind of an ornament is that?” said Augustus, disdaining to notice the reflection, and adjusting his gold-rimmed eyeglass again to examine a small enameled pin which fastened the infant's embroidered cloak. “Aw —a daisy. Suppose, then, we name it Daisy Blanc?” “Three cheers for Daisy Blanc, the ward of Tantivy Club I” proposed Weed. The infant, startled by the noise, made a very wry face, throwing its gallant corps of guardians into great consternation. “By Jove! it's going to faint!" exclaimed Tantivy, hastily putting his turquoise vinaigrette under the infant’s nose, with alarming effect Never before or since was laughter heard in a bachelors’ club with such an accompaniment “Here, Fletcher,” ordered Burke, “carry the child home toJyour wife, and to-morrow it shall be sent to Madam Campan.” Accordingly the basket was borne out and order restored. Madam Campan, previous to her marriage, had been at the head of a famous French academy, and, upon being left a widow without means, she determined to admit into her home a limited number of orphans of high parentage, to be educated with her daughter, Honora, aged 4. It was into this refined circle that Cyrus Burke succeeded in introducing the little Daisy, but only after considerable difficulty and the offer of extremely liberal terms, and, having concluded the arrangement, he nor any other member of the club took the least further thought about the personality of their ward, simply regarding the matter of her support as a contribution to charity. Many years passed. There had been some inevitable changes in “Tantivy Club,” only seven of the original members remaining, Burke still being one of the number. Since that memorable evening when Fletcher introduced the little stranger in a basket, the reading-room had been re-decorated several times, and was now more luxurious with gilt, frescoing and velvet than ever. I Here the immortal seven chanced to meet one evening, when Burke, drawing a notebook from his pocket, remarked: “ Gentlemen, I suppose you have not forgotten the infant we adopted in this room seventeen years ago? Assuredly not! Well, Daisy Blanc is now 18 years of age, the period of our guardianship is about at an end, and I have just received a communication from Madam Oampan stating that the young lady is fully accomplished, ind desires to relieve us of all further responsibility by becoming a teacher in one of the best private schools in the country. Our phi! anthropic work being therefore concluded, we are invited to meet Miss Blanc at an evening reception, in order to ascertain, I presume, from personal observation as far as may be, how faithfully the worthy Madam has fulfilled her trust Shall the invitation be

Unanimous assent. “ I say, boys, suppose we each go and tekkll on the young lady separately pre vioufi to the mnentinn?” “ Iliat would be rather a good idea, I fancy,” drawled Augustus Tantivy, who had grown older and more exquisite than ever. “ For my part, I shall make no attempt to see her until the evening named—a week hence”—responded Burke with decision. All the others favored Tantivy’s plan. “Very well!” said Tom Chanter. see there are just six daysand six visitors. 80, to avoid clashing, we’ll toss the dice for days* Now it happened that Madam Campah was called imperatively from home, by a summons to the sick-oed of h» aged mother, who, we will premise, did not die at that time, but detained Madam, fearful of the event, the entire Week. It is true she left her daughter in charge of the six young-lady pupils, but Honora, being little older than the others, was easily persuaded to enter into a plan for having some amusement out of tile expected visits. “Listen here, girls!” cried Madge, the mad-cap, in a great flutter of excitement “We’ll out holes in the panels of one of the doors leading into the drawing-room, so that we can examine these fine fellows at our ease, and the girl who happens to be best pleased with the one under inspection at the time shall personate Daisy. She, of course, having the first choice. ” Agay peai of laughter greeted Madge’s proposal, and nothing was talked of but their wild {dot and its details. No two of Madam Campan’s pupils were alike in temperament or appearanca Daisy Blanc, the favorite of all, was a little creature, white and dainty as a snowflake, with golden hair, fine as mist, and long, curling lashes, shading the earnest brown eyes. Alice also was fair, but attractive, rather than beautiful, and extremely devoted to fashion. At the appointed hour, on Monday, the seven merry-makers were in their places behind the library door, peering through ingeniously contrived apertures, when the first visitor, Harry Bristol, entered the drawing room. • With easy self-possession he glanced around, ana, finding himself quite alone, sauntered to the mirror, to ascertain whether his cravat, wristbands and blonde mustache were still in faultless shape. Alice observed particularly that every article of his attire was of the finest description, from his great seal ring and fancy sun umbrella to the little gold puppy dangling from his watch-chain. “How do you like him?” she whispered anxiously to Daisy. “Not at all,” was the reply. “Then Til choose him, for I think he is just splendid.” Accordingly, Miss Alice, daintily dressed in pale blue silk with many flounces, glided into the drawing-room and held out her hand to Harry Bristol, who advanced to meet her with a gay smile. “I don’t think it’s fair to listen, girls,” said Miriam, who was of the strong-minded literary turn, a decided brunette, with burning black eyea “No, Indeed!” cried Fleda; “none of us in her place would like to be watched. Let’s go up stairs and wait for her. ” Two long hours passed before Harry Bristol took his leave, and Alice rejoined her companions with blushing cheeks and a conscious expression. “He proposed to me and I accepted him!” cried sire, frankly, in answer to their eager looks of inquiry. “Oh, oh, oh!” exclaimed the chorus, breathless with amazement at the serious turn things were taking. “And he thinks you are Daisy Blanc?” cried volatile but good-natured Fleda, the greatest slattern in school “Yes, and oh, girls! our engagement is to be a dead secret until after the reception. Remember that We must stand by each other through this business, now we have begun it” “We’ll never breathe it, honor bright!” declared the whole band.

Tuesday they were ready for the next chapter of the romance, and Hugh Severn came upon the stage. Miriam contemplated his grave and meditative features with peculiar satisfaction, and when, after a brief interval of waiting, he began to examine the books on the center table, she exclaimed in low tones: “Ah, this gentleman has literary tastes. He knows the value of time and uses every moment to advantage. If Daisy is willing, I’ll play her part here.” Daisy instantly consented. The interval of Miriam's absence seemed endless, and when at length she rejoined her friends they had to use all their powers of persuasion to draw from her the Intensely interesting news that she also had received and accepted a proposal of marriage.

“Why, whatever could you have been thinking of, Miriam?” exclaimed frivolous Fleda “He's awfully old Positively, I saw a bald place on his head!” “No matter, I have met my destiny,” was the solemn reply. “I wonder if we shall all receive proposals,” remarked Lily, who adored the aesthetic, and was tra'ning herself in the limp and languid style. “Oh, isn’t it too perfectly, utterly delightful for anything!” cried impulsive Madge, clapping her hands, and fairly screaming in her enjoyment of the frolic. “It’s actually becoming intense!” murmured Lily, who was always quivering with soul, and never gushed. It was Weed who furnished the entertainment on Wednesday. Weed, the free-and-easy, whose “den” resembled an old curiosity shop out of order, and whose dress was seldom neat, though invariably in the latest style. They watched him as he advanced, tossing his hat on the table, his gloves on the floor, his cane into the nearest corner, and throwing himself indolently into a fourth place. “That’s my boy!” chattered Fleda, who had suffered untold woes on account of her habitual carelessness, and hailed this masculine counterpart of herself with delight. Daisy had no objection, so Fleda danced into the drawing-room, her beautiful hair in a tangle of sunny curls, and wearing a sailor costume of dark blue, with leather belt and blouse waist An hour later she rushed up stairs, and, with suppressed excitement, threw herself into the arms of Madge, her dearest friend, andpartner in m’schief. “Fledn, tell us quickly, did he propose?” cried Madge. “Yes! Yes! He did, and I like him immensely. Oh, I think I must have been created for him. because he de flared that of all things in the world he hates primness and enjoys a convenient litter of things about him. Isn’t it jolly?” The fun had now reached its height, and the girls were in a nervous fever to see who would come next

The hour and the moment arrived, the door opened, and behold, the inevitable Tantivy! He had absolutely exhausted the resources of his wardrobe to make himself utterly irresistible, and his appearance created a profound sensation. “Daisy or Uiyfor him!” was the general exclamation. “Let it be Lily, then,” said Daisy, viewing the sybarite with a quiet smile. “Well, you are a curious girl if you don’t fancy him. He is simply adorable! What a mercy that I put on this particular dress today. I know he will admire it ” Her dress was a delicate fawn color, made after the trailing, classical style; the neck cut square, and at her belt she wore a bunch of brilliant red tulips. Augustus Tantivy was enraptured by the vision of delicacy and refinement that glided so gracefully toward him. “Ah! Chawmed to meet you. Miss Blanc. Very much so,” murmered he with great empressment, bowing very low and just touching the slender hand held out to him with his perfumed lipa Seating himself so that the young lady could not fail to notice the fine embroidery on his hosiery, the gentleman readjusted his long blonde mustache, the little finger being correctly curved, and before the eavesdroppers left their posts of observation they heard him languidly “I had no ideah how vewy agweeable an acquaintance with Miss Blanc would be, otherwise, I assure you, it would have been impossible for me to have wemained away until now. Weally it would.” The sequel was obvious, and Lily’s collapsed condition on her return only confirmed the general expectation. “Aha!” exclaimed Honora, “I see he has given you the button-hole bouquet he wore.” “Yes, Honora, and his ring also. It is mine, now,” replied lily, holding out her hand to display the large diamond glittering on her engagement finger.” “Well! Did you ever hear of such an extraordinary week as this? Four of us engaged in as many days,” said Honora “As for me, I would be more difficult to suit. Few men have the exalted ambition and nobility of soul that I only would be willing to mate with. ” “Did you nottoe his beautiful hair, Ms per-

fectly elegant attitudes and that lovely pink silk ’handkerchief?” murmured Lily, in a kind of dreamy ecstasy. ‘Oh, you are perfectly welcome ijjo him!” cried Madge. “100 believe a bit of mud on his patent-leather boots would fOrfivfir Uh* settle his mind." . “My precious Augustus!” breathed Lily, with ame-away sigh, tA which piece of affectation her companion* laughed immoderOU Friday Tom Chanter sauntered into the drawing-room, his bright eyes gleaming with humor, and, all unconscious of being under inspection, he hummed a lively opera. Inwardly hoping that Miss Blanc would not overwhelm him with her dignity, the fellows who "had already met her being mysteriously reticent on the subject. “Madge, Madge, your time has come!” said Daisy, detecting her schoolmate's admiration. Madge did not deny the gentle insinuation, and when she burst in without ceremony Upon Tom, attired 1U a bewitching pink dress, it proved a case of love at first was afra d Tantivy had ruined my prospects,” said the happy Tom, after they had come to an understanding, ‘‘for since he was here he seems exactly like an engaged lover —go absent-minded and all that, you know; and what most aroused my suspicion was that I couldn't get a word out of him in reference to his visit I can’t imagine what ails him: but no matter now that yon are mine.” “He is certainly a Very elegant gentleman,” replied Madge, demurely, “but not to be compared with you, in my estimation. ” Tom found it impossible to resist the tender naivete of her upward glance: and, Suddenly clasping the blushing Madge in his strong arms, he whispered: “It is bliss to havd you say that!” While waiting for their last visitor to appear next day, Honora, with an air of high superiority, remarked: “I must say, girls, I think you have’ acted with astounding precipitation, not to say actual indelicacy in this matter. The whole school engaged! What a revelation for mother! lam glad I am not Bo easily impressed. Daisy and lat least are not entangled; but—ah! who is this?” Catching the sound of a firm, manly footstep, she quickly Purveyed the drawingroom, and saw the tragedian-like Montalto entering. He was dressed entirely in black, with a silk hat in his hand and a light overcoat on his arm.

Honora observed the quiet dignity and conscious power of every movement, the haughty curve of his lips, and the fire in his dark eye. “He is superb!” was her involuntary exclamation. “Hark! the conquering hero comes!” quoted Daisy, laughing with the rest. “Go! Go!” cried they, gayly, forcing her away. “I shall be proud to make his acquaintance,” said Honora, departing, “but, depend upon it, there will be no engagement this time. Beings like us never rush into serious situations vnthout due consideration.” After such positive assertions, Honora Campan could not be induced to confess exactly what happened in her private interview with Montalto. Subsequent events, however, left her protestations and pretensions open to suspicion. And, after all, the real Daisy Blanc had met none of her guardians. “She’s as playful as a kitten,” said Tom Chanter, thinking of winsome Madge in her ruffled pink dress. Montalto, frowning darkly, hastened to correct him. “Those are terms fit to apply to a romp, whereas Miss Blanc is dark-eyed and majestic.” Chanter and Weed laughed this opinion to scorn. “No, weally, you are dead wrong, Montalto, her eyes are blue as the violets; I assure you they are,” drawled Tantivy, not half liking the discussion of his fiancee’s charms. “My dear fellow, you must be dreaming,” said Severn patronizingly, having a distinct and thrillingremembranceof Miriam’s black orbs. “Wager you any amount- that her hair is auburn and her eyes a beautiful gray,” said Bristol hotly. “Poh! These fools are all color blind!” thought Severn, while Montalto strode away in disgust. “Pll tell you what, boys!” said Burke, “if the young lasiy is so agreeable, one of you ought io marry her. ” “Hum! Do youthink so, weally?” replied Tantivy, with a very knowing smile. “Well, I agree with you about that, and we’ll consider the subject.” “Precisely!” echoed Tom Chanter, ironically, we'll think about it” Each man enjoyed the fancied delusion of how he had sola the others; and Burke alone, having a clear conscience, wondered at their difference of opinion, and the warmth of feeling displayed in discussing the personality of Daisy Blanc. Madam Campan was Anxious that Daisy’s appearance should reflect credit upon her own motherly care, and,with the instructive taste of a true French woman, she wished her to be dressed entirely in white, at their little reception. Perhaps she also indulged a secret nope that her darling would be spared the drudgery of being a school teacher by becoming the wife of one of her wealthy bachelor guardians, and certainly, when she floated into the drawing-room that evening,Daisy Blanc was exquisitely beautiful; a being who seemed made only for luxury and love. Cyrus Burke thought so, when, appearing rather late, he found his six friends paying devoted attention to one or the other young ladies, while the fairest of them all stood near the door in solitary neglect Madam Campan came into the room almost at the same instant with Cyrus Burke, and after casting a look of bewilderment on the scene, she hastened to greet him. “Mr. Burke,you are, I believe, the only one here yet unacquainted with our Daisy, and I have great pleasure in now presenting you. ”

She had hardly ceased speaking when Augustus Tantivy with Lily clinging on his arm, approached the preceptress, and diverted her attention by saying: “Madam, I have the extreme happiness and honah to inform you that Miss Blanc has accepted the offah of my hand in marriage, and, since you have beenflike smother to her, I trust I nave jjour consent to our union.” , . , < This little speech, uttered with affectation, and concluding with an elaborate bow, created a great flutter among the guilty girls, and before any explanation could be made the five other accepted lovers stepped forward and made the Same claim. “Madam. Pardon me There is evidently a mistake It is I who am the favored suitor fbr that lady’s hand,” said Montalto, frowning darkly. “On the contrary,” declared Tom Chanter, confidently, “Daisy Blanc has promised to become my wife, and that shortly.” “Nothing like it, sir. She is mine,” said Weesi, tersely. “Preposterous!” ejaculated Severn. “Let the young lady speak for herself. She will deny your bold assertion, admitting that she is mine.” “There is certainly some misunderstanding here, gentlemen,” said Madam Campan, with dignity, and now fully believing that her pupils had been playing one of their mischievous tricks again. Taking the real Daisy by the hand, with an affectionate caress, she continued: “This is Miss Daisy Blanc, gentlemen, and I do not*think she is at present engaged to any one.” The other young ladies were then named and presented in turn, and Cyrus Burke, after all. was left in undisputed possession of the Ward of “Tan Ivy Club. (Chicago Ledger. ___________________