Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-08-17

them; and as 20 one replied, be himself went
up to the servant,
at appears that am the only Mr.. Smith
here ; do you want me 7"
al want a Mr.. Smith who has arrived by
the train from London.
al IN but l am unknown to single
inbabitant in this town"
81 know that, sir" answered the groom.
readily. That is the reason why am sent
to you, sir"
"The reason why you are sent to me T.
repeated Smith, in great astonishment. "By
whom ?"
perhaps you will be kind enough to follow
me-" continued the mysterious groom. 81
am ordered to speak to Mr. Smith 10 private"
A sudden misgivng took possession OF
Ratfaelle Smith. Come. gentlemen" be
said addressing his fellow travellers, "ls it q
practical joke2 If any gentleman present is
the author of this piece OF justification, !
charge him, in the name of stomach the
most worthy object Of compassion in the
world, to avow it at once, and to allow me to
utilize. without interruption, the few minutes
that yet remain"
10 answer to this novel summons, every
one protested complete ignorance Of what was
passing. Smith wos resolved to pluck out
the heart of this mystery. Curiosity imposed
on the stomach a delay Of several minutes,
and the artist followed the groom out of the
refreshment room. He, however, informed
bis travelling companions that he would
return 10 few seconds with the solution of
this enigma The groom, who had heard the
latter remark put on broad grin, and when
they were 10 the street, said
"Beg pardon, sir, bat wasn't you having o
Laugh at them gents They'll be precious
mistaken if they think you are going back to
lunch there"
"l'll tell you what young man." replied
Smith, irritated by the manner of the groom,
mark me, if you don't explain everything at
once-if you have had the misfortune to be
charged with practical joke at my expense
Il sball not leave you without sound
thrashiDg" (the groom bowed respectfully
"for causing me 20 lose my lunch and miss
my train"
"Ah, sir, see you're o gent as wishes 20
have his joke" replied the impurturbabe
groom. Now, sir, don't you know very well
that you will not leave Cokebampton to-day
As for the lunch, don't think you will mind
getting ready for you up at the villa"
The last phrase, though not more compre-
hensible than the other portion of the groom's
conversation, somewhat calmed the artists
ire
"1'hen / am expected to dine by your
master"
You'll be good enough TO speak about
dinner with my Mistress" answered the
groom.
"A lady. good dinner, and mystery !!
Wel," cried Ratfaelle, Pickering off the dust
from his boots with bis handkerchief, "all that
is not very alarming. The adventure is
taking a rather interesting turn. Once
MORE" he added, speaking to the domestic,
''are yon quite certain that it is to me, Rafs.
ellie Smith, ClipstoDe street. London, land
scape painter, that your mistress has sent this
cordial invitation 2"
"You are the very gent, SIR" answered the
groom, readily; "apd here's the note she
sent you"
Rafaelle hastily snatched a little note
which the groom held towards him. The
address was plain enough, "Mr. Smith," al.
though the writing was completely unknown
to the artist. He tore open the envelope,
impatient to see what signature was at the
end of the epistle, but to crown the mystery
the note was anonymous and contained only
these words:
"Mr. Smith is awaited with the greatest
anxiety, and be is begged instantly to follow
the bearer of this note. Every reliance is
placed on bis alacrity and discretion"
Now, this was an adventure that com.
menced in too charming fashion not to be
followed up. Raflaelle at once forgot the
relresbment counter at Cokehampton, and
the next train. He boldly commanded the
groom to "go on"
ut is not two minutes walk answered the
servant leading the way.
A Al 10 ht AZ ar I
am literally dying with hunger and curiosity"
But on suddenly turning a corner ont of
the High street, Rafiaelle saw an elegant
brougham, into which the groom invited bin
to enter. The artist took his seat therein,
and the driver instantly whipped his horses
into fast pace. Raaaelle had learned no.
thing from his Interrogation of the groom
HI threw himself back on bis seat, and re.
signed himself to await the denoument Of his
travelling adventure. "Ab, ha u he said to
himself, and the broughsm dashed along the
road, "the whole thing resembles an incident
in play, and an OF this moment performing
the part Of a fashionable lover flying TO a
secret rendezvous with his lady love. Atsny
rate, it will be good story to tell my friends
that s provided the play does not termi.
nate in lugubrious fashion. One thing is
CERTAIN" be continued, (which is, that don't
know single individual in Cokehampton.-
Can any Of my friends have come down here
without my knowledge No, that hypothesis
viii not stand, for | eft London without
| telling single soul where | was going
None Of my chums know where am, aud
only intended to bid them good bye by letter,
after had put fifty miles Of railroad between
u.s."
The horses still maintained their fast pace
and Rahaelle threw himself back in the
carriage, giving free rein to his Imagination
IL have it !" he cried suddenly slapping his
knee, 81 have found the key of the engine
I'll wager that this is the work of Thompson
or Megilp. | don't know which, but have
din recollection of one of them telling me
he had an uncle living in the neighborhood oI
Cokehampton. Thatsit. Either Thompson
or Megilp is rusticatng down here-has seen
me get out at the railway station-and (sub.
lime idea) has sent me an inprovised invita-
tion. A clever aud discreet groom-a mys
terious note-l am carried off alight al
the avancular door-delightiul surprise
ntroduction-good diuner--capital little
party-choice wine--conversation. Ah! q
good joke"
Rafiaelle had 20 sooner brough. bis solilo
guy to this salts actory termination than ht
thrust bis head out Of the window lie wa,
resolved to put his idea at once upon aI
mi han IN