Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-01-09
VA, TUESDAY, JANUARY ., 1866.

My next MIR. Smith resided in Portland street.
Thither / bent my steps. 1t was very small
house-evidently not the house Of wealth and
cleanliness. l made my way up to the front door,
| through wilderness of old rags, broken crocke.
ry, old tinware, etc., scattering bock OF hens,
and rousing snappish little terrier from his nap
on the steps,
| red faced woman answered my rap, but be-
| fore / could make my customary inquiry, she
opened on me like two-edged butcher-knife. :
Well, of all the the impudent rascals that
ever see, you beat the lot +! I want to know If You
| had the cheek to come back here again You'd
like to sell me another German silver tea pot and
another brass bosom pin to dear Araminta--
wouldt you-'
By no means,' said !; Il beg leave to inform
you
sOh, you needn't beg! We don't believe in
beggars! s'pose you thought should not know
you but did! l should know that bag of
yours in Californy. Clear out of my presence.
or L II lay my broom handle over you. If there's
anything hate, it's a pedler--especially a ras-
| cal like you!'
sAIlowsGne to inquire said I, if Mr.. John
s.nisn,s Vas ss Melinda Byrne' the eldess
daughter OF my father's-
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 dtnot fear, but who can stand
before an angry woman l had rather face q
roaring lion.
called on two more Mr. Smitbs-still unsuc-
cessful in my search 1t was getting near dark +,
| and was more than anxious to reach my desti-
| nation.
My next Mr.. Smith was located in Lenox
street. 1t was twilight when l rang the bell at
! this door.
| A smiling fellow admitted nae, fairly forcing me
into tie hall, before could utter word.
walk right n sir they are expecting you.
4 hn l,aHI 10 un in nno NIic,H Hat
| tie is in the back parlor. Walk right in, sir.
was gently pushed toward the door of a
! shadowy apartment, and at the entrance I was
| announced:
| MIR. Henry
! The gas was not lightel, and the apartment
was in semi darkness. heard a soft, quick foot
fall on the carpet, and pair of arms fell round
my neck, and pair of the sweetest lips on the
! earth touched mine; and, good gracious for q
moment the world swan, and I felt as if I had
been stewed in honey. .and distilled into Lubn 8
best triple extract of roses.
'Oh, Henry-my dearest and best Why don't
you kiss me, Henry? cried voice like music
| 'Have you ceased to care for me !? and again the
| kisses were repeated.
| Who could resist the temptation am natu-
! rally diIident man, but have some human ma
| ture in me, and paid her principal and interest
| 'Oh, Henry, had so feared that being in the
army had made you cold-hearted good hea
| vens!' She fell back against chair pale as
DEATH The servant had lit the gas, and I stood
revealed.
Il beg your parpon, marm, said !, there is
evidently some mistake. May l inquire if Mr..
Smiths wife was Melinda Byrne, the eldest
daughter Of my fathers great uncle.
The red flush came to the young lady's cheek
she was as handsome as q picture and she re-
Piled with courtesy:
she was not. You will, hope, excuse me
for tle blunder have committed. We are ex-
pecting my brother Henry from TIE army, and
your grey clio thes deceived me-
For which l shall always grey re-
piled gallantly. sAow me TO in truduce myself
Il am Henry Parkwell, of Squashvile,' and, in
making my best bow, STUN bled over an otto
man, and fell smash into china closet, demolish-
ing at least a dozen plates and as many glass
| tumblers.
l sprang TO my feet, seized my bag, and with
out word rushed out of the house.
] knocked over man who was passing at the
moment, and landed myself on NY head in the
gutter The man picked himself up, and was
| about to make display of muscle, When the
glare of the street lamp revealed to me The we'll
known face of my John Smith.
Eureka! cried 1. ALLOW ms to inquire if
your wife was Melinda the eldest daughter of
my father great uncle Byrne2'
She was,' said he, grasping my hand, 'and
am delighted to see you Bat, confound
it, you needn't come at fellow So.
But | must cut my story short.
He took me home with him, and l had good
visit | saw Melinda to my hearts content. Nay,
more--I met and was properly introduced to
Hattie Smith, and--well, | am having a new sui t
of cloI hes made, and i'll due course they will be
married, myself in them, to the young lady just