The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1857-05-09
In Search Of n Situation.
by MAURICE SILiSGSBY.

recommendation and diploma In his pocket,
was now in search Of situation. He was
good looking younS man Of twenty three
had earned with his own hands the money
Prof Ferdinand CASTILLO de Guer had re-
ceived in exchange for his education. If we
mistake not, John Peters was native OF
small town in Connecticut, which, from
some overshot on the part of previous COM
pliers, had had the misfortune to be entirely
overlooked by the great Mr.. Brooks in his
universal scrutiny Of that State.
For fear of rendering the town classical,
as being the birthplace Of our hero, we shall
refrain from further mention Of it, satisfied
that the curiosity we have already excited,
will induce future complers to be more ac-
curate in their researches, and thus in course
OF time, it may come to be awarded to the
aforesaid town, in spite Of its present isola-
ton and obscurity, its due share of geogra-
phical importance.
In what part of the city John Peters re-
sided, or where he happened to be on the
morning to which we refer, is point not
/ clearly shown | am sorry, however, be-
( cause the locality of John Peters might tend
to strengthen the identity Of John Peters,
and prevent him chad this fact with some
ether important items been clearly establish
ed in the mind Of the wealthy and iniiuen-
tial Joshua Meirs) from cntrapping the pref
! ty bird which policy and worldly calcula-
ton had already beat into the bush for John
/ Peters the second.
/ That John Peters had been looking over
the morning papers, cannot be doubted,
from the fact that precisely nine O'clock A.
", found him standing at the door OF Mr..
Joshua Meirs's counting room; Mr.. Joshua
Meirs having advertised that morning for 4
book keeper.
"Mr Meirs? | believe have the honor
Of addressing Mr.. Joshua Meirs:" said John
Peters, touching his hat and 5owing pro-
foundly in the direction Indicated
"The same" responded Mr.. Meirs, with
a dignifed nod. "Can | be of any service
20 you: Please proceed"
John Peters heSitated, and glanced about
the room; the presence of Mr.. Meirs was
recognizable in every object.
What shall do: IL there was only
hole somewhere" thought John. But there
was no hole, and our hero proceeded.
"My name is Peters-John Peters,"
Mr. Meirs sprang from his armchair, as
though he had received shock from some
invisible battery.
John Peters? BY all that's gracious ~
cried Mr.. Meirs, embracing him. And
here, like an old simpleton have been treat
ing you, thinking you stranger all the
while, according to the most fridgid rules OF
etiquette. deserve to be blowed for ever
having studied Count de OrSays Treatise.
But how is your tather:-how stupid IN me
i can see him in every feature Of your
face-in good spiri.s, | reckon yes, | see,
no matter about the answer-arrived in the
moring tran-all tired out, no doubt Yes.
of course, how could expect to be other
wise rode all night, | see, Perfectly un-
expected though-didn't dream of your
coming before the expiration Of another
week-,hink Your faith I said in his letter
week from Friday-to day, let me see. is
ncsday-which would leave it week
from day after tomorrow. But no matter;
YOU are Just as welcome ,-ah. here comes
the Omnibus; it will take Us within two
minutes walk Of my residence, and Bella il
at home this morning She can't help bu;
be delichted-come! - And Meirs cargh'
the arm Of John and started in the direc-
ton OF the street.
a. fear there Is slight misunderstanding
somew here faltered John, attempting 10
withdraw his arm; it is true my name is
John Peters
"Of course. and my name is John Meirs,
and you are to marry my daughter Bella
| can see no cause of misunderstanding in
the matter. Halo" he shouted, al the same
time bechoning to the driver of the bus,
and renewing his hold upon John Peters
arm. Halo, there, two fares this way,
The driver held up, and Mr.. Meirs, in
spite of the half-tormcd remonstrance OF the
b,wIdrred John Peters, hurried him into
the bus and in five minutes more they
were ascending the marble steps OF the
merchants res dence.
l. Bella at home:'. inquired Mr.. McIrs
Of the servant on the landing.
"Troth, and think it was-the young mis-
trcss's voice was afther hearing in the Pc
dnHy-room,'
Mr.. Meirs led the way in the direction in
dicated, while John, much embarrassed, fol-
lowed. He felt il was high time some eX-
planation was offered. But Mr.. Mcirs was
too mu h pre-occupied with one idea--the
identity of John Peters, and his proposed
connection with the Mers family-to heed
the confused and broken sentences of our
hero. and the next moment found him face
to face with the most bewich.ngly beautiful
creature he had ever seen.
This is Bella said Mr.. Meirs, with
some pride; "you doubtless remember her.
This is your cousin John. hope you havnt
forgotten him. What in the world makes
you stare so, huzzy? | told you his hair
would be as dark as your own by this time,
but you didn't believe it Here Mr.. Mers
consulted his watch, and said. But must
be in Wall street by ten; So | shall be obIig-
ed to trust you to your own government
With this Mr.. Meirs departed leaving our
hero indescribably confused. No sooner
was he gone, than Bella burst into a ringing
laugh, and exclaimed: "How funny"
Mcrriment is said to be contagious. John
Peters laughed response to Bella, and he
had most beautiful way of doing it, which
Bella in spite of the novelty Of their situa-
tons, readily acknowledged with a blush.
"Therc has been a great mistake made,
said John Peters, bowling sorrowfully, as
though he would a tale unfold
81 see," said Bella, "you are trying to
cover up your red hair with a wig. hate
red hair, and the change makes you look
funny-it does indeed"
cit is all mistake" persisted John, red
dening: 9" never wore a wig in my life
Then YOU must have colored it, for it
was red ten years ago, and used to laugh
at you when was angry, and advise you to
/ keep one eye open when you slept, lest it set
| the bed curtains on fire
"What an awkward situation!" cried
John desperately. 1t is true, | am John
Peters. but not the John Peters you take
me for, and as for having red hair, l never
had that honor, I assure you!"
It was now Bela's turn to look surprised.
"And who are you then," cried Bella. "if
you are not John Peters of Baltimore!
"On the contrary, am John Peters OF
Connecticut, graduate from the mercantile
college; and at present. in search oil sltu'
alton. am not your cousin, and never saw
you, to my knowledge, before to-day.-iho,
I must confess you are the prcttest girl
ever did see, and begin to envy the genu-
inc John5Peters. your COUSIN, Tor can heip
liking you great deal already.
You do? Indeed, how funny! Then