Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1864-01-27

which I have the key. You must b
there and see and hear everything tha
is going on, and be prepared to act a
your quick wit shall prompt
Z 'Bravor said Mr.. Blifin. 4 thou
sand dollars and a pretty girl are wortl
an effort Show me the hiding place
Jenny, and I'll second your endeavors.'
The pretty chamBermaid performed
her promise, and then Joined her mis-
tress.
'Father-in-law that is to be. Mr.
Popkins was saying as he entered, q
wish I'd known of your coming before
you should have had an apartment in my
house..
Jenny trembled, for she knew very
well that Popkins did not own a dollar.
worth of real estate
Your houser exclaimed old Jeffer
son. I wasn't aware that you owned {
house.
THE most charming little box of 9
place on the Third avenue, said Pop
kius, readily giving way to his inveteratc
propensity.
What did you pay for it?' asked the
old man.
Guess.
1 won it in a rattle Twenty dollars
a share-what do you think of that?'
Extra ordinary, said the old gen.
sleman, slowly, and eyoing the young
man very teenIy. IN go directly and
see it. shan't believe your good luck
till my eyes have evidence of it Come
/ Emma, you shall 90 with US.
eStop-Stopr said Popkins nervously.
forgot to mention one thing, l sold nay
house this very morning.
The deuce you didr cried the old
gentleman. What did you get for it?'
Ten thousand dollars, replied Pop
kins boldly.
Ny dear boy, I congratulate you, said
the old man. And there's something
selfish in my JOY, too; for l am unezpec-
tedIy called on to pay note of thou
sand dollars this morning, and have no
available funds by me-
There again--conround my luck : cri-
ed Popkins. forgot to mention that l
was in debt to the fellow who bought my
. place So you see his claim sweeps up
the whole eight thousand,
Eight thousand Very well, you said
you got ten thousand dollars for your
house; you can certainly accommodate
me with half the balance
johnson hasn't paid up yet, sir, said
Popkins, involving himself deeper and
deeper in the meshes of falsehood.
Emma was very much vexod, and Jen-
ny gave up the case as hopeless,
What's to be done? said Mr.. Jefer-
son.
Nothing that I can see but to wait for
the arrival of Mr.. Thompson with the
money! said Popkins.
'ThOmpsOnl Why, you said just now
his name was Johnsonl said the old gen
tleman, testify.
That was his given name, answered
Popkins, hastily. johnson Thompson
in full And he fastened to change the
subject.
But the old gentleman's suspicious
wero now fully awakened, aud though
Popkins ratified away with his usual vol
liability his intended father-in-Iaw was
quite cool and monosyIlabic to his ans
wers.
After a lapse of some time, a waiter
presented himself, and announced Mr..
johnson Thompson. Popkins was as
much astonished as if lie had called up
spirits from the vastly deep, and he scar
cely replied, show him up, in an amia-
bic manner, when in walked Mr.. Blifin
so disguised in red wig and spectacIes,
that even Miss Jenny scarcely recognized
him.
I beg pardon for intruding, Mr.. Pop
kins, said he, 'but I only called to say
the deed was all right, and I have paid
the two thousand into your lawyers
hands Pray call and see me when we
get settled in the new house. My wife
is very anxious for the honor Of your ac-
quaintance.'
Give my respects to Mrs. Thompson,
said POpkins, recovering his sang froid,
and tell her I shan't fail to call with
with Mrs. Popkins, he added, smilingon
Emma, after the happy event
The imaginary Thompson took leave
with profusion of bows
My dear boy, said old Jefferson, sha-
king hands with Popkins, pardon me.
I suspected-I feared that you had not
broken yourself of your propensity to tell
fbs; and Iresolved if caught you in a
single violation cf truth, you should new
er marry my daughter. My pecuniary
troubles are all humbug. You have
stood the test nObIy. Take her and be
happy