The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1865-09-14

my ""y up W lHc lIOut uVOI, luiOuSu d
wilderness of old rags, broken crockery,
. old tin-ware, etc., scattering flock of
hens, and rousing snappish little terrier
from his nap on the step.
A red faced woman answered my rap,
but before l could make my customary
inquiry, she opened upon me like two
edged butchers knife
"Well, of all the impudent rascals that
ever [ see, you beat the lot l want to
know if you have got the cheek to come
back here again !? You'd like to sell me
another German silver teapot, and anoth-
er brass bosom pin to dear Araminty-
wouldn't yer
j "By no means," said I 81 beg to in
form you"
"Oh, needn't beg We don't believe
in beggars! s'pose you thought 1
shouldn't know ye--but did ! should
know that black bag of yours in Califor-
NY Clear out of my premises, or I'll
try my broom handle over ye! If there
is anything | hate, it's pedler-especi-
ally rascal like you"
"Allow me to inquire" said |, off Mr..
Smiths wife was Melinda Byrne, the ell
dest daughter of my fathers"
The broomstick was lifted heard it
cut the air like minnie bullet, and
sprang down the steps into the street at
my best pace.
An angry man do not fear; but who
can stand before an angry woman? |
had rather face roaring lion.
| called on two more Smith 's-still un-
successful in my search. Ii was getting
near dark, and [ was more than anxious
to reach my destination.
My next Mr. Smith was located in
Lenox street. 1t was twilight when l
rang the bell at his door.
4 smiling fellow admitted me, fairly
forcing me into the hall, before could
utter a word.
"Walk rightin sir /; they are expecting
YOU The ladies will be down in a mo-
ment, Miss Hattie is in the back parlor.
Walk right in sir"
l was gently pushed toward the door
of a shadowy apartment, and at the en-
trance | was announced:
"Mr. Henry"
The gas was not lighted and the apart
ment was in semi-darkness. [ heard a
soft, quick football on the carpet, and a
pair of arms fell around my neck, and a
pair of the sweetest lips on the footstool
touched mine and, good gracious-for a
moment the world swan and [ felt as if
| had been stewed in honey, and distilled
into Lubin's best triple extract of roses !!
"Oh, Henry-my dearest and best |!
Why don't you kiss me Henry !! cried a
voice like music, you "have ceased to care
for me?" and again the kiss was repeated.
Who could resist the temptation? [
am naturally difident man, but | have
some human nature in me, and | paid her
principal and interest.
"Oh, Henry, l had so feared that being
in the army had made you hard hearted
good heavens She fell back a
gainst chair pale as death. The servant
had lit the gas, and [ stood revealed.
81 beg your pardon, marm," said [,
'there is evidently some mistake. May
[ inquire if Mr.. Smiths wife was Melin-
da Byrne, the eldest daughter of my faith
er's great uncle Z"
The red flush came to the young lady s
cheek-she was as handsome as picture
and she replied with courtesy:
"She was not. You will, hope, ex-
cuse me for the blunder [ committed ?
We are expecting my brother Henry from
the army, and your blue clothes deceived
me-"
; "For which I shall always wear blue,
! I replied gallantly. "Allow me to intro
duce myself am Henry Parkwell, Of
Squashvillep and in making my best bow
: | stumbled backwards over an ottoman
> and, fell smash into china closet, de
molishing at least dozen plates, and as
b many glass tumblers.
t sprang to my feet-scized my bag
. and without word dashed out OF The
= house.
| knocked over man who was passing
j at the moment, and landed myself on my
head in the gutter. The man plcket
himself up, and was about to make a dis
u play Of muscles, when glare Of the stree
o. lamp revealed to me the well-known fac
of my John Smith.
a "Eureka !" cried I. "Allow me to in
a quire if your wife was Melinda, the eld
:. est daughter of my fathers great uncl
l. Byrne?"
"She was said he, grasting my hand
/" "and [ am delighted to see you Bu
confound it you needn't have come a
fellow so p
- But must cut my story short.
- He took NE home with him; [ had
II good visit j.; l saw Melinda to my heart
" content. Nay more-I met and was proI
:, erly introduced to Hattie Smith--and-
o well / am having new suit OF clothe
- made-and in due time they will marie
!, myself in them-to the young lad
just alluded to-
re In South America. small farmers al
those whose lands do not extend ove