Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-04-10

The dying man Deckoned ms adversary 10 APP
proach. sslt's half my own fault said he. "Fly!
fiy! and leave me alone to die Yet take this letter
Summerville vite 'ouse top of the -hold DIR. Blod-
gets-take i'm this etter-it tells all about it. If
I'd ave lived vas to 'ave-'
But he could speak more, and the midshipman
hurried off the homicide.
From the incoherent words of his victim, the hor-
ror-stricken Tompkins gathered that he TO call at
DR.. Bodges in SummeryIle, and deliver the letter;
and hitherward he bent his step, In as ptia5le con-
dition the dying
He soon found the cottage, a pretty residence, en-
powered in trees and ornamented with several dstin
guished darl1ies, who standing round the door
yard grinning to the extent of their respective iyo
res Before he had time to ring the bell an impul-
sive old gentleman in black rushed out Tompkins |
mechanically extended the letter, not having cour-
age enough at his command to utter word.
I see-I see, said the impusive little old gentle
man, who other than DR.. Blodget himself. |
"Tompkins, eh:'' give me your hand.
'sForbear! there's blood upon it, said the wretch
ed Tompkins.
'sBloodl nonsense'' said the Doctor ssCome
along My daughters waiting-and the
bridesmaid and the parson, you dog.
''But sir, what has this TO do with me!''
''With youl why isn't your name Thomas Tomp-
kins?"
Certainly
$50 this letter says. Do you pretend that you
hayn't come to fulfil the arrangement made by your
father to marry my daughter-whom you havnt seen
I
are you crazy:'
81 believe am, =" stammered poor Tompkns, who
was astonished at everything he heard. 81 believe
am crazy
Tommy" said the old gentleman, sternly, 81
believe you've been stopping at the Hallway House. %
''Not drop, Doctor, as live
"Come along, then'
] And the Doctor hurried in his victim He was
in the presence of the bride and her relations.
There flowers in porcelain vases, cake and wine
o4ol1o Ion
Blodget opened her arms, and the Doctor pushed
Tommy into them.
As soon as he could extricate himself, which he
did, blushing with confusion, Tompkins stammered
out:-"Ladies and gentleman, you see before you an
unhappy wretch"
''An unhappy wretch" shouted the little Doctor;
s'what do you mean by that, Tommy Tompkins:''
'sYour son-in-law is dead" said Tompkns.
''Deadl" said the Doctor ''You tell me that with
your mouth?''
! ''Certainly''
''You don't look as if you were dead, though"
said the Doctor, winking at the clergyman. ''COme,
Mr.. SpinteXt, let's have it over. Emma-Tommy-
stand up here like good children
/ Tompkins darted wild look about him, and
then darted through the open window into the con-
servatory.
s'Stop him.'' shouted the Doctor ''There go my
cameliaS and rhododendrons. Now he's into the
Hamburgs. Now, then, Sambo ah! you've got
him. Hold him tight'
The wretched Tompkins was captured and brought
back by tall African.
s'Now then, Mr. Spintext-Emma hold him tight
know all men by these presents, &c.-quick sir
you solemnly and truly swear''-&c.
And thus prompted, the clergyman performed his
Office and Thomas Tompkins found himself
ried man.
81 WISH" he muttered TO himself as he dipped
wildly into the cake and Madeira that the confec
toner and wine merchant had spite againStthe Doc
tor and had come the arsenic and auuafort business
cir /
would be extremely soothing to my feelings"
Sin his desperation, he acted and spoke as if he
were in dream. He said funny things without in
tending them, kissed the bridesmaid several times
f over, slapped DIR. Blodget the back and called
him ''jolly old BUFFER and even addressed
the black waiter as ''Snowball,'' an exquisite and
original pleasantly which conyulsed the company
with laughter
But the widest dream must have an end In the
midst of the maddest mirh double knock was heard
at the door, and a servant announced Mr.. Thomas
TOmpkinS.
"Ths is another of your jokes, you mad wag,"
and the Doctor, winking at his son-in-law-and a
very small bridesmaid in blue slippers gave it as her
opinion that Thompkins would be the death of them.
But the door opened and in staked the English
man, followed by his second.
Stake him awayl'' yelled our hero. "Bury him
decently. That's what he's after. Give him
ton and let him 90 about his business. Want no
post mortems here!''
eDOn't be alarmed % said the mdsbpman "Blank
cartridges and bulock's blood don't send TO the
other world"
Doctor said the Englishman, 'syou received my
letter of introduction from the lands of this-thS per-
son-did you not:''
''Yes-and / thought he was Thomas Tompkins, !"
said the distracted Doctor.
''That is my name,'' said the bridegroom in spite
of himself.
"And mine halso, (" said the Englishman
''What's TO be done!'' asked the Doctor. emmy,
my dear, what do you say to being married over
again."
s'Ohl no. papa, it's too much trouble I'm very
well satisfied said the bride.
81 don't see that we do anything for you, said
the Doctor, mildly, to the conner; s'unless one
of these young ladies'
But they all shrugged their shoulders and shook
their heads
'Sorry for you for you're the of an old FRIEND
said the Doctor
''But you'll stay and take dinner with us''
''I'll sue you for breach of promisep' yelled the
cookney, shaking his first at the bride
''That lady is under my protection" said the
bridegroom ''She shall not be insulted Clear out
"Clear out.'' shouted the indignant father.
"Clear out!' echoed all the gentlemen.
''It's conspiracy" shouted the cockney.
''Come along," said the midshipman. ''Dont
make fool of yourself. Come along.''
Pulled, pushed, and showed the indignant gentle
elected from the Doctors cottage, and this
feat accomplished, the wedding company sat down
TO dinner, at which the singular coincidence in the
names of the parties formed principal topic of dis
cuSsion.
The result of this odd affair was suit brought by
the cockney, but he lost his and went home to
England in the full determination to write book
against this country which should out Troope Troll
HIDwNn lI.a.o