The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-22

rudeness but no doubt he had his instruc-
tions."
At this moment the conversation was inter
rupted by the arrival of the queer customer
himself He was an elderly gentleman with
a rubiound complexion, and very good-na-
tured expression of countena1ce, and certainly
did not look like detective As he entered
the shop, Miss Pinnifer dropped her veil, and
drawing herself up to her full height of four
feet six, faced the intruder with excessive
dignity. The stranger politely raised his hat
to the lady, and then turned to John Todd.
''Well, MIR. Todd, and how do you do to-
night Am / too early for my little matter
Of business p
"Well, sir :" said Mr.. Todd, II won't say
but what I'd rather you'd have come an hour
later. The coat and waistcoat have boon
done some time, but the trous-( Mr. Todd
remembered the modest presence of Miss
Pinnifer) the other garments are not quite
finished"
Never mind. Mr.. Todd, it's of no great
consequence. I'm in no especial hurry. But
I'm going TO ask you favor. shall surprise
you now, dare say.
Poor Todd was so bowildered by the re-
niarkablc communication Just made to him
by Miss Pinnifer, coupled with the singular
present appearance of that lady (she was
standing with one foot advanced, her eye
steadily fixed on the stranger, and held her
muf across her chest, in kind of boxing
attitude), that he knew not what to answer,
and could only reply oonfusedly.
"Dont mention it,
The stranger, answering rather the spirit
than the letter of his words, continued
"To-morrow's Christmas day. For twenty
years past I've been awRnderer on the face Of
the earth, and this is the first Christmas day,
during all that time, I've spent in England.
I've no friends not 30 much as a dog or cat,
and don't like the idea of spending Christ
mas by myself VIII you take compassion
on me, Mr.. Todd? Youv Christmas face,
and I've notion / could enjoy Christmas
very well in your company. Will you take
compassion on a lonely old man, and let him
spend tomorrow with you and your family"
John Todd was in much perplexity. His
warm heart felt for the lonely stranger, by
whose frank address he was much prepos-
sessed. On the other hand, there was Miss
Pinnifers statement, and John could not quite
get rid of vague apprehension that the
stranger might, if admitted, take ad-
vantage of an unguorded moment 20
handouf the family all round, snd
bear them away to perpetual imprison-
ment; last but not least, was the considera-
tion that the larder was by no means sumptu-
ously furnished, and that the Christmas fare
was likely to be of an especially meagre descrip-
zion. The last reflection dictated his reply
IF you're really in earnest, sir, it 'ud be
unbecoming in me to say no, when you do
me the honor to ask it. But we poor folks
don't live like the gentry, you know, sir, at
the best of times; and this year we've got
even shorter commons than usual. We've
hearty good-fellowship, sir, but very little
else, to keep Christmas with"
'And hearty good-fellowship is the very
best dish at the Christmas feast" said the
stranger. Beef and pudding are not to be
despised, but they're only secondary, after
all Well, you haven't said mo, so 1 shall
consider myself accepted. I've dined
off baked potato before now, and shall find
enough to eat, never you fear. What's your
time? One o'clock-very good"
This lady and her brother reside in the
house, sir, and they were going to club their
Christmas dinner with ours, if you have no
objection.
'Objection L, my dear Todd! you forget
that I'm only a visitor. Objection certainly
not. The more the merrier, 1 say, Madam,
your MOST obedient.
Miss Pinnifer relaxed so far as to courtesy
with dignity, still, however, keeping her muff
available for defense if necessary.
We'll, that's settled" said the stranger
"And now I've got some little matters of
business to attend to, so I II wish you q good
night. Good evening, madam. Don't dis
tress yourself about the trousers, Mr. Todd"
With these words the unknown departed,
leaving Mr.. Todd and Miss Pinnifer dumb
with amazement. The latter recovered her
speech first; with the observation, Did you
sver?" Mr.. Todd looked at her for few
moments. At last he calculated, slowly and
distinctly, NO / never. "
what very singular person, Mr. Todd
You're quite sure you've never seen him
before =.
Never to my knowledge till the other
night" said Mr.. Todd.
There's more in this than meets the eye,
said Miss Pinnifer
You still think, ma am
We'll, no, not entirely. / must say ex-
pected to see quite different style of per-
son. But there's no knowing. 1 shall be on
my guard,
If he isn't a detective, what can
he want to come here for ?" said
Mr.. Todd. TITS the most extraordi-
nary thing ever heard in my life / don't
know what Milly will say to a strange gentle
man coming to dinner: but couldn't help it,
could | now? I'd better tell her at once, and
get it off my mind.
''Tll say good night, then,7 said Miss Pin
infer i've left my brother too long alone
already"
MIR. Todd wished her good evening, and
dived into a small parlor behind the shop,
where his daughter, 8Iilly, sat sewing with
three younger brother Todds, making more
or less noise, around her.
Milly Todd deserves paragraph all to her
self, as the pleasantest possible specimen of
good little English girl. She was not beauty,
but better than beauty in the possession of
the more lasting comeliness which is derived
from bright smile, sweet temper, and
pair oil clear, earnest eyes, made none the less
expressive by the near neighborhood of a