The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-12-20

hospitable entertainer. Then they took
three or four glasses of wine together, and
gradually jeremiah found himself more at
home, and scrupled not to reply to the
odd strangers questions respecting his
family and occupations. And SO they went
on chatting till they appeared as two very
old and intimate friends for Mr.. Wag was
OF an open unsuspecting disposition, and
talked as though he had no objection that
all the world should know all about his af-
fairs.
Well, but my dear Wag." said the
stranger, "can't you tell what part of the
country your father came from?"
"No, sir, 1 can't" replied jeremiah :;
"he died when was about eight years old,
and the London merchant to whom he was
clerk put me to school, and after that ap-
prenticed me to old Hicks, who lived over
the way where l do now. Well, there
served my time, and then married his
daughter, and so came in for the business
when he died but I've increased it pret-
ty deal and if I'd more capital could make
a snug thing of it by going into the whole
sale, and serving shops with grocery, and
so on.''
"Why don't you try it?" asked the little
gentleman.
=" 1t wont do unless one has got the ready
knowingly "and then one must be able to
give credit, and ought to keep ones own
wagon to carry out goods. No, no, it wont
do Many man has made bad worse by
getting out of his depth and as it is, thank
God, can live. The only thing that puz-
zles me now and then is what l shall do
! with all the Children
Harkye, my worthy Wag," said the
odd stranger, 81 have not got any children,
so if you'll let me pick among the lot l do
not care if take two OF three off your
hands"
SIR exclaimed the astonished shop
keeper.
81 mean what l say" replied the old gen
tleman, demurely. "Take me with you.
Introduce me to your wife and family and
let us all have friendly cup of tea togeth-
er in your back parlor. Don't stare, my
good Wag, but fill your glass. l don't
want to buy your little Wags, but l hap
pen to have more of the ready, as you call
it, than I want SO I'll put them to school
or what you like. What say you? ?''
jeremiah rubbed his eyes as though
doubtful if he were awake, and then utter
ed his thanks for such extraordinary kind
ness in the best way he was able, and about
an hour after the Whimsical little old rich
gentleman was sitting by the side of Mrs.
Wag, with little curly-headed Wag on
each knee, while the rest were playing
round or gazing open mouthed at the stran-
ger with childish wonder.
BY degrees all stiffness wore of, and. be-
fore the evening concluded, nothing could
exceed the merriment of the whole party
The eccentric elderly gentleman had learn
ed to call all the Wags by their names, and
he played and frolicked, and rolled upon
the floor with the little people, in style
that made the parents suspect, with the
landlord, that he must be "cracked.''
N"N'SAi "0 P'ieiAs5, liO UCCdluG IuOIG Sc
rious, and invited jeremiah to come and
breakfast with him in the morning, and to
bring with him copy of the names and
birthdays of his children, as entered i'll the
family Bible.
Mr.. and Mrs. Wag, of course, lay awake
for an hour that night, talking over the
strange incidents of the day, and perhaps
building few castles in the air, after the
style of aflectionate parents for their chill
dren.
On the following morning jeremiah dress
ed himself in his Sunday suit, and repaired
to fulfill his engagement. His new old
friend received him in the most cordial
manner, and they breakfasted together,
chatting over family concerns as on the
proceeding day. When their repast was
ended, the little gentleman read over the
list of the young Wags, and smilingly OBJ
served: