Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-08-18

eftrom q stranger, ana OF q character still
more inexplicable both Of them written
from Baltimore, Harry informed me that
he was ON the way with his party, and
hoped to be in Philadelphia the following
day /; and he added land this was the
mysterious part of his letter, that his
aforesaid handsome cousin was about to
be snatched away from me by particu-
lar fatality; yet he did not despair. he
said, of my yet winning her, provided he
should Immediately find me upon reach
ing Philadelphia, and find me with mettle
sufficient to undertake most formidable,
but splendid adventure. ConfoInd his
handsome cousin l'' said l, "a whom me-
yer heard of before, except in his last let
ter and confound his splendid adyen-
lures II And with that, with the greatest
equanimity, banished the presence of
both, to examine and wonder over the
second letter from my unknown cores
pondent. 1t was as follows =
Mr. DEAR BoE II shall be in Philadel-
phia Friday evening, with E., to sign,
seal, kiss and squabble. according 10 COM
pact place aforementioned. Shall ex-
pect you-rings, posics, bushes, and hys-
terics. Always promised your dad l
would, and s0M.
Yours resolutely, T.B.
This letter was formally directed to
James j. Smith, Esq, POste restante, Phi
ladelphia, was manifestly written in an
old mans hand; and as far as l could
gather any sense from its odd and brokon
expressions, alluded to a marriage which
was in progress doubtless between E.,
(who was she Q on the one part, and Mr..
James Smith on the other. But who
was Mr.. James j. Smith ? Not myself
certainly; who had never dreamed of
marriage, except as contingency, and
had never made serious love or proposals
to any human being. No, it was appa-
rent-and this was confirmed by the allu-
sion to the aforementioned place." well
known of course to the person written to
but not mc-there was some other James
j. Smith, besides myself, in the world,
and in Philadelphia, for whom this letter
was designed, and to whom it was mani
fest from the terms of it, the loss might
prove extremely inconYenient.
Under these circumstances, perceived
that had nothing to do but return it to
the post-office, that it might reach my
namesake. and was rctracing my steps
for that purpose, when l was interrupted
By a gentleman, or person dressed like
a gentleman, but l thought there was
something unpleasing and sinister in his
looks, who stepped up to me, and with a
low bow and grinning smile, toldme. /" he,
believed he had the pleasure of ad-
dressing Mr.. james j. Smith ?"
That is certainly my name," said l
"but-"
You haven't the honor of my ac-
quaintance !" interrupted tho gentleman.
q Exactly SO, but have the pleasure of
producing my note OF introduction.
And with that, the fellow clapping one
hand on my shoulder in very impudcnt,
familiar way. displayed under my nose,
not note of introduction, but note of
hand for seventeen OF eighteen hundred
dollars, drawn in favor of Simon somebo-
dy, l forget who, and signed plainly and
strongly enough James j. Smith
''All this, my friend" said 1, removing
his hand from my shoulder, +" is, doubt
less, good and fair enough. The difficulty
is, that it concerns some other James j.
Smith, and not me for / never wrote
that note nor indeed, any other. You
have made a mistake"
Every facetious sir" said the person;
+" should inform you, sir, that poor ST.
mon being in difficulty, was under the
necessity Of parting with that little note
to me, sir and l paid him fair price
for it, sir, because it was debt of honor,
SIR" here the rascal looked as if he meant
to impress ME with an awful sense of his
courage and determination "a debt Of
honor, sir, never find any difficulty in
collecting"
a The deuce take you and your debt of
honor" said l., waxing impatient. l
tell you, sir but my gentleman inter-
rupted me again. ~ ~
- No occasion 10 swear, my dear TEL
low. l don't intend to trouble you just
nor, know what brings you to town
here know old Rusty is coming if he
has not come already, and the rich young
lady with him. The letter, sir, that you
just received sir" Here the fellow burst
into laugh at the look Of amazement l
put on, at finding him so familiar with the
mysterious epistle; and, added somewhat
contemptuously, 81 did not think Mr.
James j. Smith such a spooney, as 10 give
the public the benefit OF reading his let
ters over his shoulders in the street In
short, sir, as I said, don't intend TO
trouble you Just now, nor to be gammon'
ed hereafter, shall wait sir, till the
happy hour is over, and then, sir, hum
bly, claim to renew the note sir! till when,
your obedient servant TO command, SIR J!
With that, my gentleman bowed and
stalked of, stroking his Yhiskcrs with an
air Of unutterable magnifeence which
have not seen equalled by any blaekleg.
This little incident. beside. moving
somewhat of my choler, changed my re-
solution of restoring the letter TO the