The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1862-08-30
A STORY OF CoUNTERPARTs.

A STORY OF COUNTERFARTSs
A quiet, uneventful life was mine, until
left the shelter of my fathers roof in Cor
ham and accepted the desk of book keeper
in the wholesale clothing establishment of
Shears & Prescott, in the busy little city of
| Weston.
| But there. one fine afternoon in October,
| just in the midst of the Indian summer, /
invited Lille Prescott, with whom I was
very nearly in love, to walk in the Park
with me.
Her little hand. in its delicate primrose
colored glove, rested on my arm. her black
eyes were lifted to my face. felt partic-
ularly tender and confidential, and at peace
with the world. We were speaking of the
gorgeousness of the distant hills, clothed,
as they we're. in their mantles of crimson
foliage. when I wac brought to step By
hearing my name pronounced IN tone mel
ther sweet ncr agreeable:
''Mr. Smith. II just trouble you TO stop
minnit ~ 2
| looked up. A woman of fifty, or there
ahouts. effectually blocked up the sidewalk
before US; indeed. her proportions were
colossal. If ever I have seen the personii-
cation ofindignatiou, saw it in her express
i've countemance.
MADAM - exclaimed, retreating little
from the battery OF flashing gray eyes which
she brought to bear upon me.
| "You needn't madam me /" cried she
waxing redder. "I'll just trouble you to
settle this little bill.' And she thrust an
ominous piece of paper before my eyes.
which read substantially:
Richard Smith to Mrs. JOhGmo Begins, Dr.
For six months board. $96
washing. 10
ea slO8
returned the bill her to her.
81 owe you nothing. madam. l never
saw you before in my life.''
'You needn't lie to me u cried she, set
ting her arms skimbo. 81 hain't kept q
genteel boarding house fifteen years for moth
ing. sir. You'll either fork over on the spot
or I'll take the law"
"Take it," remarked I; you're welcome
to it,
"You think to sarse me, young man; re-
member what you promised; I'll have you
TUX up for it as sure as my name is Begins.
I'll larn ye better than to deceive a trustin'
wilder woman in that way-you deceitful
hypocrite."
MADAM, you insult me. l."
ooh ! it looks well for such as you to
stand on YOUR dignity. Mighty lofty, all
at once. You've forgot the cream aapjacks
used to make you, and the kisses you used
to give me every evening. after the rest of
them was gone to bed. You've forgot the
half-dozen shirts I made you, aud never
charged you cent. You've forgot that you
solemnly promised you'd marry me next
Tuesday morning. You've forgot that have
you %
"Yes-yes-I never; no!'' stammered
I, dropping Miss Lilies arm in great con
sternation.
''Do you dare deny it % cried she, in a
rage.
''Yes, forever, and day afterward ~ l
roared out. "Do you think would marry
an old termagant like you? I'd sooner wed
my grandmother J"
| l saw the fire fash up in her eyes. The
widow was waxing dangerous. lodged
the reticule which she aimed at my head,
and fell over backward as she charged upon
me with her baf-mourning psrssol. Miss
Lille turned and fed. ! thought discretion
the better part of valor; so leaped over a
garden fence close at hand, and was imme-
diately attacked by large dog that sprang
pole. and, burling it at the belligerent dog,
pond and reaching the next street, from
which hurried home at the best pace
could command
/ was resolved that would not remain
in Weston a day longer. Evidently there
was in the city some other Richard Smith.
for whose notorious self / had been mis-
taken.
penned hasty note to my employers,
giving my reasons for leaving them-packed
MY trunks, paid my board. and, marking
my baggage ''R'd Smith, New Hampton
entered the cars for the locality specified
on roy trunks.
In selecting New Hampton as my desti-
nation, I had no very definite purpose il
view; but in place of its size lad no
doubts of being able to secure some tucra.
tive business, and the Office of boots was
better, If / could be left unmolested, thar
the state of President, If / must lose my
identity aud be attacked by viragoes in the
streets.
It was noon of the next day when the
train whiried up TO the depot at New Hamp
ton. I alighted, and was fastening down
the platform to look after my baggage, wher
l saw young lady in brown silk walking
dress, earnestly regarding me. as she
caught my eye, she threw up her veil and
sprang toward me- As the veil swept bach
it revealed the loveliest face bad ever
hooked upon. had never dreamed of any.
thing half so beautiful. In involuntary ad.
miraiion stood still. She threw hersel
into my arms-her arms fell round my necl
her velvet cheek touched mine-and sucl
kiss as she planted full on my lips Ny
: face was in blaze. felt aa if had beer
. stewed in honey, with lavender for flavor