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

WOiphJ Va thCit SObu iOltuuCs HOH OilCy
retired to rest, though not Immediately to
sleep, for they were each beset by strange
waking dreams, and beheld in their
minds eye, a black clerical Wag, two
long-coated little blue Wags, with yellow
neither investments, and other Ways of
sorted sizes, but all very happy.
On the following morning, being
Christmas day, our fortunate shopkeeper
equipped himself in his best apparel, and,
before breakfast, stepped across the road,
and found Mr.. Titus Twist rubbing his
eyes in his own gateway Mutual salu-
tations and " compliments of the season"
we're exchanged in good neighborly style,
and then mine host exclaimed:
There's box here for you, Master
Wag, left by that queer little old gentle
man. I'm sure he's cracked! In he
comes here yesterday, just after dark,
posting in his own carriage. Well, he
orders up anything as we happened to
have ready, and sets him down to as
good dinner as ever any gentleman need
sit down to, though say it, because why,
you see, our larder's pretty considerably
well-stocked at this season. So down he
sits, rubbing his hands, and seeming as
pleased as Punch, and orders a bottle of
wine; but, before he'd been ten minutes
at table, up he jumps, claps on his cloak
and hat, and runs smack out O the house,
and never comes back again till past elev-
en- at night when he pays his bill, and
orders horses for six o'clock this morn
ing"
Is he gone, then?" exclaimed Jere-
miah.
"Oa, sure enough replied Titus !;
but he's left great box for you, which
[ was just going to send over. So, | sup
pose, you and he have some dealings to-
gether."
YES" said Mr.. Wag q shall have
cause to bless aud thank him the latest
day have to live; but | wished he had
stopped here to-day. Well, God bless
him, wherever he has gone. Ilark ye,
neighbor-you have often heard me speak
of having friend-well, that's him. |
don't know why, but he's taken a fancy
tome, and my wife and family, and has
done for us more than you'd believe, if |
was to tell you. However, we can chat
that over another day, as can't stop now,
as Mrs. Wag and the children are waiting
breakfast. But where's the box ? pll
take it with me, if you please"
If two of the strongest fellows in
my yard can take it over, it's as much as
they can," replied Titus. However,
they shall try, and | hope you'll come
over this afternoon and crack bottle OF
my best to drink the little queer old gen.
tleman's health. But, mind me, he's
cracked to a certainty, and you'll find il
out some of these days"
The box was accordingly delivered
and on being opened was found to con
tain dozen separate packages, each di
rected for one member of the Wag fam
lily, the largest for Jeremiah the smallest
for little Philip, "rsing three" year ole
Wag Their contents were far too va
rious for precise specification, but could
not have been more judiciously appropr
ated nor more gratefully received, so thai
Christmas day was day of rejoicing
duu VIC oniy IcSIeo icio NY ohO anu al
the Wags was that their very kind frient
had not stayed 10 spend it with them.
When the festive season was over mat
ters went on as usual with Jeremiah, save
that perhaps there was more of cheerful
ness in his manner while pursuing hi
course of steady industry. The f CT wa
he never now felt perplexed about
money affairs, which were wont formerl,
to occupy much of his time by day, anC
cause him many sleepess hours by night
Those who had called for payment wer
as welcome as those who came to pay, ant
consequently his credit stood high; anc
the travellers and London houses strove
by tempting bargains and peculiar atten
/ tion in g selecting the best articles t.
{ complete his kind orders" to keep his
, name upon their books So he went ,ol
and prospered in all his undertakings
and in the course thereof visited tn
metropolis TO make purchases, and, whel
there, called upon Mr.. Goodfellow, VIII
> gave him hearty welcome, but could no
be persuaded to reveal the name of hi
a eccentric client fhouph he sorunled not 4