Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1867-02-02
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENN'A.
OLD SERIES, VOL. 27, NO. 16.
SATURDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 2, 1867

on one of the stone lions that fanked the
gateway, dressed in a founced, pink calico
and yellow bonnet, waiting for me.
"rm all ready" she remarked, jumping
up; "and I've took my work bag along, with
some crackers in it. If it holds in till after
nine o'clock, we shall want lunchin."
We stepped into the street. The people
stared at us. felt as red as a full blown
poppy. My face streamed with perspiration.
could not endure it; it was no use. Polite
ness ignored in this case. l took advan-
tage of the old lady's rapt gaze at the win
dow of print shop, to bolt down a by
street; and in q few moments was in the
presence of my divine Flora. We walked
leisurely to the theatre; l at my ease-for
knew the old lady never could find her way,
unassisted, to the theatre.
Judge, then, of my horror, when on reach
ing that place Of amusement, the first spec
tacle that greeted my eyes was aunt Sally,
standing in the door, her work.bag on her
arm, her voice raised to its highest tension,
and her right hand gesticuating to the
crowd she had gathered around her.
"He went out of sight jest like flash ~
she was saying, "and l gave little boy q
ten cent piece to show me the way here
and I'm waiting for him to come along
I'm kinder afeared he's got lost, for he was
alias rather weak headed; but seeing as if
he might have asked somebody the way !;
he's got a tongue in his head. Halo /!
there he's now, and the Queen of Ingland
with him, by her ground Come along,
jim; the meetin's jest a goin to begin !!
They're footing on the bass-viol now
Where on airth did you go to so quick2 Is
that your gal 2"
,,l l;,,,or bo1l ,,o e;lo,+
Floras face was like a blush-rose. The
selves from cheering tile old lady; but it
was very evident to me that they would not
long exercise any such forbearance.
"Jim," said my ancient relative, in a con-
fidential whisper, loud enough to be heard
by the whole assembly, you've got some
smut on your upper lip / seed it before we
started, but didn't like to say nothing
You'd better wipe it off; it looks dreadful
ly.n
The crowd fairly roared Smut, indeed
my cherished moustache, that had scented
and Oiled and admired for three long
months ! If the old had been o man,
should have challenged her on the spot
With desperate effort l addressed Flora.
"Flora; my dear, we will 60 in, and not
pay any regard to that insane old woman.
| Flora turned toward me, an iron deter
mination in her blue eye
"Frark;" she said-she always called me
Frank-"tell me who that hOrrid old crea.
ture is before I go another stepw
"Horrid crtter l hain't horrid crit
ter!'' cried aunt Sally, waving her work-bag
'rm decent woman, and haint got no paint
onto my face, as some folks tina: know o
has. And I'm Jim Browns own aunt-hi:
fathers sister, Sally, that married Nutter
and I've mended his pinnyfores and trowser'
many time"
Flora listened, and when aunt Sally finish
ed, she cast upon me such look.
"Mr. Brown" she said, quietly, 81 have
the honor to wish you a very good evening
with your estimable relative;" and then sht
took the arm of Fitz Ludlow, and sailec
away.
l thought should have tainted on tn,
spot; and, perhaps, should, if / had no
felt my sleeve vehemcntly pulled. l turnet
ami saw a lean faced man.
"Jim," said he, lend your uncle five dol
lars, do. I've left my pocket-book at hum!
Good gracious it was uncle Solomon
French and behind him was my uncle Bill
and behind him my aunt Mary and cousiI
Susan. ! did not stop to see how man
more there were. took it for granted tina
the whole audience was to he composed o
my relatives. Jumped down the steps ant
fled at the top of my speed. Aunt Sail
cried at the extent of her lungs.
"Stop him stop him I'll give quartz
to the man that captivates him "
Community at large at once decided tina
must be thief or murderer, and the
rushed after me at railway speed A doze
dogs joined in the chase, making night hi
deous with their bowling. l was in to
, much of hurry to keep very keen look
out for obstacles, and the first thing knew
ran headlong over lady drawing bab
carriage.
OF course she was angry She seized til
baby with one hand, and my shoulder wit
the other, and began a lecture in languag
more forcible than polite. l tore myse
loose anG renewed my flight.
But they overlook me. had committe
a crime which people never overlook (; | ha
abused a woman with q baby-so they sa;t
. deserved death on the spot. A couple {
policemen came opportunely. They mad
| a little flourish of authority and marche
me off to the watch-house.
In that interesting school of morals n
mained until the next morning, when m
examination took place, and no one a.
pearlnS me, was ulscnafSeu. but Woul
not go home. Aunt Sally was still there
perhaps q dozen more of my relatives, sin'
lit never rains but it pours."
A bright thought struck me. / woul
i, put the ocean between US. A whaler WI
!, lying at one of the wharves, which was a.
vertised to sail that very day. went dow
a there, entered my name on the book, got
n seaman's rig, and presented myself to Il
S captain for inspection. He received n
!, with open arms.
J "Good heavens !" cried l.
"Yes !" said he, 81 am your own cous
! David and your cousin Daniel, and Georg
s are among the crew, and your aunt Pegs
y is going as far as Florida for her health"
y l waited to hear no more. The vess
was just putting of, but / could swim. "
u thank heaven, l could swim And witho
so much as saying goodbye, dashed in
J. the water, and struggled to the shore, to
l. met 10y aunt Sally, who exclaimed:
l. "Better go right home, Jimmy, and chan
N your stockings Wet feet is dreadful apt
bring on the rheumatic. Don't mind hi
g captain |" yelled she after the receding "
ST sci, 'he was alters a little weak in the upE