Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1868-08-29

! half consumed weed.
The door swung open with a creaking
sound, and there filed in an apparently in
| terminable procession. First came vener-
able old lady, in black bombazne, spectacles,
and mouse coored furs; next a skinny fe-
male, hopeless, and attenuated in figure :;
next plump old maid, glasses, and full
suit OF bloomers; neXt-but here Royals s
eyes became bewildered. He dragged chairs
and stools with reckless haste.
BE seated, ladies, pray-what can have
the pleasure of doing for you this after
noon 2
The Bloom er lady, who had taken up her
stand on the hearth rug with her back to the
| fire, in rather q masculine attitude, here con-
suited paper which she took from her
pocket
Let-me-see--you are Royal Vanc,
belisve-lawyer by profession-t twenty six
years old-and unmarried p
I A chill pang struck to our heros heart
( Was that paper the dread List he had
heard of and was he now the victim Of
Vigilance Committee 2 He bowed-and
awaited further developments, with a sort
of forced calmness.
We'll, Royal, old boy said the Bloomer,
giving him an afable slap on the shoulder,
its high time you were married. How do
you like me?'
Like you p stammered Mr. Vane, flushing
to the very roots of his hair; don't like you
at ALL
'Mittcned eh y was the fair ones commet
well, I've tried my chance, and failed
Hope the next fellow will have better taste
that's all. Come on, Aramintha Fowle its
your turn now
And Aramintha took her turn and so
did the old lady in bombazine ne-the Widow
Hotchkiss,' by name; and 80 did Maria
Means and so did -, but at this stage
of affairs Royal Nane jumped over Widow
Hotchkiss, hastily interposed his umbrella,
rushed down stairs, and made straight for
his boarding house, never resting until he
had locked, barred and bolted himself safely
in.
Good Apollon he gasped, wiping the
streams of perspiration from his throbbing
brow, what u peril have escaped The
girls were right-Leap year is fearful sea
son | wish | were securely married to dear
little Constance Martin Matrimony is my
only safe guard-they'l hunt me to the ends
of the earth =
Pretty Constance Martin, dropping over
her embroidery, that self same evening, like
a blighted lily-bell was startled by the ap.
partition Of her recent Royal Vanel
Mr.. Vane There was a dignity about
the little girl yet.
! Constance, do not speak so coldly.' lie
lnclt down beside her, so as to bring his
his dark hazel eyes, full of pleading, directly
in range with her own soft blue orbs. Con
stance you have not forgotten me-you love
me n little yetF
And Constance's eyes betrayed tho truth
she scarcely dared to speak.
Look here, girls, exclaimed Mary De-
witt as she unfolded the damp newspaper
at the breakfast table, about a week after.
wards, heres the clue to Royal Vane's un-
accountable absence. He's married mar
ried to Constance Martin
4 knew how it would be, said Aunt Anne
Tighe, chipping her egg shell, calmly
Bless, you, girls, a man is as easily managed
as pet puppy, if only one knows how to
40 it
And there's note from the young man
himself, to tell US that he will call this
evening" said Barbara. What shall We
do
Wen receive him, of coursc-in full
dress said Mary, bursting into peal OF
laughter. what will Constance say =
Mr.. and Mrs. Nane were duly ushered in
to pleasant, old-fashioned drawing room
that evening, and waited some time before
any one made their appearance
4 don't see what has become of the girls,
said Royal, after few minutes waiting
I've half mind to 60 and see
At that instant the door slowly swung
open, to admit most incongruous proces
sion. First came Widow Hotchkiss, BON
bazine, umbrella, and all; then Miss Ara
mintha Fowle then the plump Bloomer
finally Victoria Maria, in full battle array,
all passing solemnly in front of the sofa
where sat their victim.
Royal Vane started to his feet, turning
red and pale.
what does this mean Who arc you
he demanded, sternly, while Constance ut
tered faint scream.
1t was echoed by burst of uncomfortable
laughter; mask, wrappings and disguises
fell to the floor, and Mr. Vane was confront
ed by his four mischevous cousins.
Don't be alarmed, Royal said Barbara
you as a married man, are no longer in any
danger. But how ignominiously you were
routed that day down in the office
You little, inscrutable, tormenting, unac
countable, good for nothing, miserable
minxes = calculated Royal, so it was you I!
we ourselves and no Others Oh Royal
to think one so astute could have been sc
easily taken in
Bless you girls, said philosophical Annie
he's only man What can you expect Z
And then they fell to fondling Constance
the new conner, and Royal subsidized hope
lessly into the back ground.
Il am so glad said Annie.
Il am delighted said Barbara.
4 wish leap year came every six months,
said Mary
Such fun, lisped Alice Bruce.
Yes groaned Royal, fun for you, but
here his eye fell on Constance's sweet
blushing face, as he added-'and the lucki
est thing that ever happened to me Hur
rah for leap year , and the girls echoed hi
sentiment with mischievous mirth:
'Hupah for leap year
BARNUM IN A New CHARAcTER.-Mr. L. i
Barnum ran a foot race last week at the
Profile House, n. II. He had several com
natitnrs hnt distanced them all, after which