North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1866-01-24

John yawned. ..F o. .
Il don't mind running down that way"
he said, "but really can't promise to ad-
mire you know
'But you will without promising" said
the old gentleman. "You can't help it.
I've some business for you to make an ex-
cuse ola couple of horses old Spice wants
to sell, which are just the things for you.
And he is hospitatle old fellow, who will
make yGu stay week if you once get there.
Go up Tomorrow and fall in love with
Miss Spice, you rascal"
The rascal laughed: He had his own
opinion about the probable beauty of Miss
Spice, knowing that fortune is apt to
blind old eyes to many deficiencies, but
there was a SAVIOR of romance in his search
for wife that pleased him after all, and he
determined to enjoy it to the full.
Consequently, on the following morning,
he started, with his valise well packed, his
dressing-case Fl ted up in exquisite style
and a secret determination to firt with
Miss Spice if she were the least attractive.
As for any serious design of wooing and
wedding, nothing was farther from John
Morton's thoughts. ... a..
When the train had screamed and whis-
tied over the necessary number of miles,
it stopped according to custom, at the little
depot at D., and there, with others,
the traveller alighted, amidst a whirl of
country dust, oetook himselfto that portion
of the village wherein the residence of the
Spices must be located were his directions
right. 81.
He found it, at last. A rather preten-
tious mansion, built on a rising ground,
with stone steps leading to the garden,
wherein white fountain kept guard over
! sundry geometricaI beds of flowers. Er-
crything about it was trim and neat, and
delightfully."- cool.
To one of John Morton's rather indolent
disposition the shady colonnade and the
rural seats under the greet elms behind the
house, had a-wondrous charm, 1t would
| be glorious place to live in, he thought ;
especially were one rich, and able to for
get all tolmenting business details, and for
| tune-making, and other bores of the kiEd
and lounge all day with book and a Ha-
vana under those trees. IL wonder wheth-
er Miss Spice appreciates her residence. .
As he thought thus. John Morton coolly
sauntered, valise in hand, up the broad
gravel path, and wrapped in his own care
less fashion at the hall door No one as
swered the first time, and second appli:
cation only brought out white poodle with
pink ribbon at his neck, who barked with
puny fury at the stranger; but, on third
trial, the door opened suddenly, and there
stood before him pretty girl in pink calico
with white apron on, and her sleeves
pinned up, exhibiting the plumpest arms
in the world, with dImples at the wrists
and elbows. In one hand she held dust
inc brush in the other a dust-pan, and
keeping both tidily away from her dress.
she seemed to wait for his Inquiry. Il
came promptly:
is Mr.. Spice in ?
Dear me, no, sir" replied the girl
The ,amiIy are all away-.called very un
expectedly to see sick relative. But
beg your pardou--Are you Mr.. Morton ?
"That's my name" SAID the young man
"Oh, in that case, Mr. Spice left word
that he was very sorry to 60, and that if
/ you came you would oblige him by stay
ing until his return Martin, the. coach
man, could show you the horses, he said
and we were to make you comfortable
i'll YOU walk in, sir 2"
John Morton hesitated moment, anC
then crossed the threshold. The girl push
open the parlor door and ushered him in
"John shall show you to your room," she
said, "and will have lunch for you wher
you come down, Mr.. Morton. People gen
orally find an excellent after journey"
And away she ran humming tune, and
leaving John Morton to remember he1
smiles and dimpIes and pleasant voice
"If Miss Spice is not a very pretty girl
she must be jealous of this little creature,
he said to himself. "What'eyes and snow
white teeth wonder who she is %
An hour after when fresh from his toi
lette he took his place at the tempting
lunch table, he had chance to ask tht
question
"Excuse me" he said, as he took cur
n 4 \ nj