The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1865-11-08
MISCELLANY.
The Search for John Smith.

John Sn,ltn married my fathers great
uncle's eldest daughter, Melinda Bryne.
Consequently ! was a relative to John.
Johns family had often visited us at our
quiet country home, and ut each visit
had most cordially pressed us 10 return
the compliment.
Lust October, business called me sud-
denly to the city of B.. where our
relatives re,iled, and withou. having time
to write and apprize them Of my coming,
| was in'endng visit to t le family of
Mr.. Smith.
With my accustomed carelcssness, |
had left his precise address at home in
my notebook but thought little of it
| could easily find him, thought to my
self, as the cars set me down amid the
smoke and hustle at b
inquired for my relative of the first
hackman came across.
He looked at me with an i'll suppressed
grin. What was the fellow laughing at !
To be sure my clothes were not of the
very latest cut, and it is not just the thing
for any one out of the army to wear blue
with bright buttons but my coat was
whole, and my Aunt Betsey had secured
the uttons with whitening and soft soap
until they shone like gold. | repeated
my question with digaity.
Can YOU direct Inc to the residence
of Mr.. Smith,
"Mr Smith p he said slowly.
y IS. SIR, Mr.. JohnESmith. He mar
ried my fathers great uncle's eldest daugh-
ter, Melinda"
81 don't think know John Smith with
a wife Melinda
John Smith seemed to be a common
noun with him, from the peculiar tone he
used in speaking Of that Individual
"Ah," remarked l, ''then there is
more than one of that name in this city ?"
81 rather think there j."
Every well, then. Direct me to the
nearest"
'The nearest is in West street. Sc
cond left hand corner-youll see the
name ON the door"
| passed on, congratulating myself on
the cordial welcome | should receive
from John and Melinda.
l soon reached the place-a handsome
house with the name ON IA silver door
plate-I rang the bella servant APP
peared.
MIR Smith in ?"
NO, sir; Mir Smith is in the army"
"Nirs. Smith,, she l'
'ln the army oh, no-shes at the
beach,
"rhis is Mr.. John Smiths house, is
it ,"
at is"
"Was his wife's name Mclinla, and
was she l'ryne before she was married,
from Squaslvile e.
The man rcdIcned ana responded
Hngrily.
"l'll not stand here to be insultel
Make of with yourself. or I'll call the
poice. ] thought from the very first that
you was an entry thief, but you don't
play no game on mc!' ami he banged
the door angrily in my face
II thicf! fl had not been in such
II hurry TO tind the Smiths should ha> c
given that ra>c;,ly man sound chastis.
ing ON the spot.
Inquiry elected the fact that John
Smith 1--we | IN Arch street. Tnrh r.
bent my stcps. a maid-servaut answered
my ring.
"Alr. Smith in?"
Before the srl covld reply, a big rel
faced man jumped out OF the shadows
hehini the door. and laid his heavy hand
upon my shoulder
YES, sir, he cried in voice Of thun-
der, MIR Smith is in Yes, siI for
once hes in. He stayed at home all day
on purpose 10 catch YOU I'm | now, by
Jupiter I'll have my revenge :"
".'ir," said |, 'lhcre must be some
mistake. Allow me to inquire il you are
Mr. John Smith"
"Ill inform you about Mr.. John Smith
in II way you won relish, If YOU don't
settle the damages forthwith. Five thou
sand dollars is the very lowest figures
and You must leave the cua'iry :"
''Good gracious" :" l cried, ''what do
you take me for You'd better be care
fu, OF you'll get your head caved in"
II cave your head in for you. you
young villain :" cried he springng at me
with his cane.
"Oh, John, dear, john" exclaimed
II shrill female voice, and tall figure in
sea OF founres bounced down the stair
way. ''Don't, don't for the love of
heaven don't murder him!"
"Who the deuce do you take me for ,"
cried !, my temper rising.
at looks well for you to ask that ques-
tion!" sneered the man, ''you who have
won my wife's heart, and are here now
to plan to elope with her! I've found it
all out-you needn't blush, and
Il beg yonr pardon for interrupting
you," said |, 'but have never seen your
wife before. perceive she is not Mel
india, the eldest daughter of my fathers
great uncle
"Sir, do you deny you are William
Jones! Do you deny that you are in
love with my wife p
81 am not Il Jones, have not the hon
or, sir. Ny name is Parkwel, nenry
Park well of Snuasl,i,lni =" ouI with :,