The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-03-10

mou'ers relatives, who were known to be fine
people in London.
H., mere was no appearance of change when
,he second OF their welded wears commenced:
ou. one december morning an extraordinary
eson' occurred at the cottage, for Harry re-
eeiVed a letter. Ii came from Charles ,cy an
old college friend, whose achievement IN ,ba
fast line had furnished him with many n ;oke
and tale. tie had been, till lately, a briefless
barrster, but had just fallen heir TO neat nro-
perry ~ an adjoining county, bequeathed him
by a distant relative, his advent TO which he
intended celebrating with notable bachelors
party, and Harry's presence was requested
toyether with that OF many college comrade.
a" think Ill co." said Harry, in hesitating
tone, as the note was read at the breakfast ia.
BILE.
"Of course you will, DEAR" said Mrs. Bunt-
ing. 'And now thai think of il, something
must he done with that parlour chimney, il
smokes so. Just send up the mason on your
way TO the COACH
The vehicle thus mentioned was an old
stager which passed through Wesibourne
daily, carrying passengers TO sundry Of the
unrailwayed towns on its track; and within
two hours from the receipt of the invitation
MIR. Phipps Bunting, well wrapped up, and
better warned against taking cold, with his
best things in q carpet bag, and his lady's
commands delivered to the mason, took pos
session of an inside seat on his way to Charles
Lacy's domicile.
How the bachelors party proceeded in that
locality, and how the failing of the parlor Chin
ney were corrected at the cottage, Imaginative
readers may suppose but on the third day
after Harry's departure there arrived a note,
stating that his host had invited him to remain
for fortnight, that they we're 10 have shooting
in the fine frosty weather; and he thought he
might s,ay. Mrs. Phipps Bunting sent her ap-
probation by return of post. There was a CO.
lony of rats to be expatriated, a clearing out OF
the coal-cellar TO be achieved and a nothing
of cider to get forw ard, under which consde
rations she concluded he was better out of the
way; but all these things were accomplished,
| and more than the specified time elapsed, when
another note came to say that Lacy positively
would not let Harry home without seeing his
uncle, the great barrister, who lived in the
nearest assze town; and the legal protector of
Miss Jenny Thought he might 60 ON that
visit"
There was graver and more lengthy reply
TO that communication but the fates forbade
that Harry should read Mrs. Buntipg's in time.
Charles Lacy's house keeper had standing
order to put ali letters into huge card bracket,
which that young gentleman affirmed had been
presented to him by an heress of 100000 in
her own right; and Mrs. Buntng's epistle was
placed in the receptacle-for before its arrival
Harry had, like an undutiful husband. started
with Charles for the house of his uncle. The
| old barrister, though not one of the brightest,
was among the successful of his profession.
and kept hospitable, easy going house, with
a maiden sister and two dashing nephews, in u
comfortable English country town, at one end
of which was railway station for the coming
and going Of London trains. Our Harry had
been always an agreeable, commodious fellow.
There were no angles on his temper to come
in contact with those of other people: rich
uncle, maiden aunt, and sporting nephews, all
joined in requesting his stay from week to
week; while three successive notes were in
turn committed to the card bracket on Charles
Lacy's mantelpiecr.
To be Continued