The Shasta courier., 1866-02-10
HASTA COURIER.
The Search for John smith.

John Smith married my fathers great un.
cle's eldest daughter, Melinda Byrne. Con.
sequently | was relative to John.
Johns family had often visited us at our
quiet country home, and at each visit had
most cordially pressed US to return the com
piment.
Last October business called me suddenly
to the city of B, where our relatives re-
sided. and without having time to write and
apprise them of my coming. l was intend
ing visit to the family of John Smith.
With my accustomed carelessness, | had
left his precise address at home in my Eote-
book but l thought little of it, | could easi
ly find him, l thought to myself, as the cars
set me down amid the smoke and hustle at
inquired for my relative of the first hack
man | came across.
He looked at me with an suppressed
grin. What was the fellow laughing at p
To be sure my clothes were not Of the latest
cut, and it isn't just the thing for any one
out of the army to wear blue with brass
buttons but my coat was whole and my
Aunt Betsy had secured the buttons with
whiting and soft soap until they shone like
gold. repeated my question with dignity.
"Can you direct me to the residence of
Mr.. Smith ?''
"Mr. S-m-i-t ?'' be said slowly.
Yes, sir, Mr.. John Smith. He married
my fathers great uncle's daughter, Melinda.
% | don't think know John Smith with
wife Melinda"
John Smith seemed to be common noun
with him, FROM the peculiar tone he used in
speaking of that individual
"Ah ~ remarked |, then there is more
than one of that name in this city?"
g | rather think there is.
'' Very well, then, direct me to the near.
est"
'' The nearest is on West street. Second
left hand corner-youl see the name on the
door,"
passed on, congratulatng myself on the
cordial welcome | should receive from John
and Melinda.
| soon reached the place-a handsome
house with the name on silver door plate
l rang the bella servant appeared.
g" Mr.. Smith imp
"No, sir; Mr. Sn ith is in the army"
" Mrs. Smiths she?
' In the army ?-oh no-she's at the
beach"
This is Mr.. Smiths house, is it ?"
at is"
g. WAS his wife's name Melinda, and was
she a Byrne before she was married, from
Squashville ?"
The man REDEEMED, and responded angri-
ly:
"I'll not stand here to be insulted !.
Make off with yourself, or I'll call the police.
thought from the first that you was an
entry thief, but you don't play no game on
me !" and he banged the door in my face
| a thief If had not been in such
hurry to find the Smiths, should have
given that rascally fellow sound chastising
on the spot.
Inquiry elected the fact that Mr.. Smith
resided on Arch street. Thither | bent my
steps. A maid servant answered my ring.
s' Mr.. Smith in"
Before the girl could reply big, red
faced man jumped out of the shadows behind
the door and laid his heavy hand upon my
shoulder.
Eyes, SIR" he cried, in voice like thun.
der. Mr.. Smith is in !. Yes, sir. for once
he's in. He stayed at home all day on pur-
pose to catch you! and now, by Jupiter! I'll
have my revengen'
Sir" said |, there must be some mis-
take. Allow me to inquire if you are Mr..
John Smith?"
g I'll inform you about Mr.. John Smith
in a way you won't relish, if you don't settle
the damage forthwith. Five thousand dol
lars is the lowest fgure-and you must leave
the country"
''Good gracious ~ | cried, what do you
take me for? You'd better be careful, or
you'll get your head caved in ~
''I'll cave your head in for you, you
young villain, youl'' cried he, spring.ng at
me with his cane
"Oh, John, dear John ~ exclaimed a
shrill female voice, and tall figure in sea
of founces bounded down the stairway
Don't, don't for the love of heayen-don' t
murder him ~
''What the duce do you take me for"
cried |, my temper rising.
81 1t looks well for you to ask that ques-
tion ~ sneered the man "you 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"
81 beg your pardon for interrupting you,"
said l, but l have never seen your wife
before. l perceive she is not Melinda, the
eldest daughter of my fathers great uncle"
Sir, do you deny that you are William
Jones? Do you deny that you are in love
with my wife?"
Sc am not Jones-I have not the honor
sir. My name is Parkwell, Henry Parkwen.
of Squashville J" and with low bow | took
myself off.
After that called at the residence of three
John Smiths-none of which was nv Mr..
Smith-and nothing occurred worthy of
note.
The next Mr.. Smith resided in Portland
street. Thither bent my steps. 1t was
very small house-evidentlv not the house
of wealth and cleanliness. | made nv way
up to the front door through a wilderness Of
old rags, broken crockery. old TINY ware, etc.,
scattering a flock of hens, and rousing
snappish little terrier from his nap on the
steps.
4 red faced woman answered my rap, but
before could make my customary inquiry,
she opened upon me like two-edged butch
er- knife.
"Well, of all the impudent rascals that
T Iao H. Ii T