It was directed to both, and Charley read it over Ned's shoulder. It ran thus:
"DEAR BOYS: The next time you divert yourselves by throwing dice for two young ladies, we pray you not to do so in the presence of a valet who is upon terms of intimacy with the maid of one of them.
"With many sincere thanks for the amusement you have given us—often when you least suspected it—we bid you a lasting adieu, and remain, with the best wishes,
"HATTIE CHAPMAN, "LAURA THURSTON.
"Brant House,
"Wednesday."
"It is all the fault of that, aw—that confounded Thomas!" said Ned.
So Thomas was discharged.
[4] Atlantic Monthly, June, 1863.